Preserving the true value of community through small business
Feb 18, 2019
The following opinion piece ran in the Post and Courier on February 18, 2019. Photo above by Andrew J. Whitaker/Staff. The loss of the long-standing East Bay True Value Hardware, a community-focused store, is contrary to the ongoing conversation our city has around transportation, congestion and livability. The… Read More
Cheers to a Decade of Loving the Lowcountry
Jan 16, 2017
When we started Lowcountry Local First 10 years ago, we did so as a Buy Local Movement geared toward consumers. We engaged our citizens on the impact of their dollar when spent with a local-independent business, and how those businesses are providing individualized service, creating less impact on our… Read More
A time to be grateful
Nov 16, 2016
I can think of no better time for us to all be still, for just a moment, to take stock of all that we have to be grateful for. Even in times that seem so uncertain, where many are feeling unheard and those who have been disenfranchised for… Read More
Start up Businesses Reach Pre-Recession Numbers in 2015
May 17, 2016
The following is reposted from the Charleston Regional Business Journal (May 16 — 29, 2016; Volume 22, No. 11): Young firms are the major contributors to jobs in the U.S., and for the first time since the recession we saw a rise in start-ups in 2015. The Main Street… Read More
Reinvestment Fund and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Name North Charleston One of 50 Invest Health Cities
May 17, 2016
North Charleston to join innovative, national program to improve health in low-income neighborhoods The city of North Charleston has been selected by Reinvestment Fund and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to take part in the new Invest Health initiative. Invest Health is aimed at transforming how leaders from… Read More
Announcing our 2016 Board of Directors
Jan 28, 2016
As advocates for a local living economy, we at Lowcountry Local First rely greatly on individuals who recognize the importance of choosing local and working to keep the Lowcountry’s economy strong and its culture unique. That is why we are so proud to welcome our 2016 Board of… Read More
The Needle is Moving Toward LOCAL in 2016
Jan 5, 2016
When I pause and reflect back on 2015 and our accomplishments for the year – it’s not necessarily the number of businesses involved, the impacts made or partnerships developed that come to mind – but rather the stories that have come my way either directly or through the… Read More
Dear Future Mayor of Charleston
Nov 24, 2015
The following is reposted from the Charleston Regional Business Journal (Nov. 16 – Nov. 29; Volume 21, No. 24): Dear Mayor of Charleston, We applaud you for taking on the challenge of filling the shoes of one of America’s most beloved Mayors. We know this is a daunting… Read More
Time to Reimagine Our Economic Development Model
Oct 5, 2015
The following is reposted from the Charleston Regional Business Journal (Oct. 5 – Oct. 18; Volume 21, No. 21): $2,454,695,931. That is the amount of money given in subsidies to large corporations in South Carolina since 1992, according to Good Jobs First. What if we reimagined this regressive… Read More
What "Good Business" Can Do for Charleston
Sep 23, 2015
Communities across the country are in a race to become the “best”; “best tech town”, the “top city for young entrepreneurs”, the “best place to start a business”, the “friendliest city”, the “best place to visit” and on and on. At Lowcountry Local First we feel that the… Read More