Please check back regularly for news & updates from LLF!
Celebrating Busha’s Biscuits, a woman-owned mobile breakfast business that raised $15,000 through Kiva Continue Reading
Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Continue Reading
Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates Listen up: Four opportunities remain to attend a City of Charleston's State of the City engagement event. Learn more and attend one near you. Heads up: The City of Charleston's permitting and land management system is getting an upgrade! Those... Continue Reading
Organization: Lowcountry Local First Title: Capital Access Manager Location: Charleston, SC Term: Full-time/ Exempt Application Deadline: Rolling basis, open until filled Reports to: Executive Director Salary Range: $65,000 - 72,000 Lowcountry Local First advances economic prosperity and local... Continue Reading
2026 Buy Local Holiday Markets in Charleston, SC Continue Reading
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: The deadline for public comments on the proposal has been extended 60 days to Nov 20, 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... 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
