News

Something that has brought me hope this year has come from participating on a BCD COG Advisory Committee for the Lowcountry Rapid Transit (LCRT) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Phase 3 planning process. Now that's a mouthful of alphabet soup — but ultimately it is being in a room of... Continue Reading

How shopping local strengthens the local economy and supports the businesses that create a unique sense of place. Continue Reading

Earlier this year, Lowcountry Local First (LLF) launched the first Kiva Hub in the state of South Carolina. By operating the Lowcountry Kiva Hub, LLF is helping small businesses and entrepreneurs who have trouble accessing more conventional forms of capital from banks and CDFIs. In addition to... Continue Reading

Trey successfully secured a $15,000 interest-free loan to support the production of his unique product. Continue Reading

Why West Ashley's Boom Is Squeezing Out Its Small Businesses West Ashley is not struggling. By every headline metric, it's thriving. The area is one of the fastest-growing parts of the Charleston region. Home prices are climbing and the redevelopment of Ashley Landing alone represents what city... Continue Reading

Note: Public comments on the proposal are due Sept. 21, 2026. Scroll to the bottom for instructions. A billion-dollar private equity firm. A casino making $744 million a year. The federal government wants to call these... small businesses. If you own a shop, a restaurant, or a service business... Continue Reading

Jocelyn, founder of Gola Sweetgrass, a footwear brand creating sweetgrass sandals inspired by the traditional art of Gullah Geechee basket weaving, raises $7,500 through Kiva. Continue Reading

Thanks to Community Support through the Lowcountry Kiva Hub, The Beehive Bilingual School Is Growing Continue Reading

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Continue Reading

J. Pink Studio, a youth dance program helping young people build confidence, discipline and creativity through the performing arts, has successfully raised $15,000 through our Invest Local Initiative to build a permanent studio space in North Charleston. Meet the Story Behind the... Continue Reading

Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates Join us in September! Lend your voice at two important upcoming Small Business Advocacy Sessions: The City of North Charleston is busy in planning mode as they rewrite their zoning code in the creation of its new UDO (unified development... Continue Reading

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Continue Reading