News

Farmers’ Markets provide excellent opportunities to meet farmers directly and learn more about their products, practices, and methods of sale, while also allowing you to stock up on fresh groceries! Fortunately for us, the Lowcountry is full of great neighborhood markets. There are... Continue Reading

Are the headlines about tariffs making you dizzy? On again, off again. Anxiety, then relief. For local business owners, the relief is nowhere in sight.Yesterday was Lowcountry Local First’s 12th annual Good Business Summit – a gathering for those who believe in business as a force for... Continue Reading

Don't miss: Our Good Business Summit is held Thursday, March 6 at the Charleston Music Hall, including a session just for those curious about what advocacy looks like as a small business leader. Come join the conversation with expert panelists! Learn more and register here. Advocacy in Action:... Continue Reading

This year’s amazing Good Business Summit speakers are bringing their insights on entrepreneurship, creativity, and building purpose-driven careers. We’ve gathered recommendations of their favorite books and podcasts that have shaped their journeys, and we wanted to share this list... Continue Reading

VIEW COLLABORATIVE UPDATE FROM LOWCOUNTRY LOCAL FIRST + CHARLESTON METRO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE A subcommittee of SC Senators is currently reviewing and potentially amending draft state legislation that could address the skyrocketing costs and headaches around liquor liability insurance for small... Continue Reading

Local The Town of Mount Pleasant will hold a special election on Tuesday, March 25, to fill Council Member Carl Ritchie’s seat. Ritchie was recently sworn in as the new Charleston County sheriff. Read Rev. Kylon Middleton’s, Charleston County Council’s new... Continue Reading

Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to show love—not just to your special someone, but also to your community! Instead of heading to big-box stores or placing last-minute online orders, why not explore the unique treasures right in your own neighborhood? Shopping locally for... Continue Reading

As we swing into February and celebrate Black History Month, let’s reflect on the numbers that highlight the importance of where we choose to spend our dollars this month: $44,900 vs. $285,000: In 2022, the median net worth of Black families was just $44,900, compared to $285,000 for... Continue Reading

Happy 2025! I hope you'll consider making a commitment this year to seek out locally owned businesses whenever possible. You are our community's best advocate and every dollar you spend shapes this place. Just use our Local Business Directory to search by keyword, zip code, industry type and more... Continue Reading

On December 3, a Texas federal district court preliminarily barred enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act nationwide — the broad decision came weeks before the January 1, 2025, deadline for 32.6 million business entities to report their beneficial ownership information ("BOI"). (Texas... Continue Reading

Worth doing: Share your input on public transit: Attend a community open house or virtual meeting for Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT): - In person: Tuesday, December 3, 2024 // Keith Summey Public Library, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. or 5 - 7 p.m. - View the on-demand virtual meeting, available through... Continue Reading

As election news sweeps across our screens and divisive cracks become chasms, it’s easy to feel a sense of disconnect, even within our own neighborhoods. Commuting through political yard-sign soup can breed anxieties and distractions. But when we look beyond the headlines and take a closer... Continue Reading