News

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

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

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

Organization: Lowcountry Local First Title: Invest Local Program Manager Location: Charleston, SC Term: Full-time. Some evenings and weekends. Reports to: Invest Local Program Director Application Deadline: Open until filled; Interviews begin early February Rate of Pay: $50-57,000 ABOUT US:... Continue Reading

Organization: Lowcountry Local First Title: Invest Local Program Director Location: Charleston, SC Term: Full-time. Some evenings and weekends. Reports to: Executive Director Application Deadline: Open until filled; Interviews begin early February Rate of Pay: $57-65,000 ABOUT US: Lowcountry... 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

Did you know that you can filter our Member Business Directory to showcase businesses that are owned by graduates of the Good Enterprises Community Business Academy? Here at LLF, we have a special place in our hearts for these businesses, so we want to show off some of their products and services... Continue Reading