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Advocacy Updates Awareness Business Academy Impacts Community General News Invest Local Impacts Partner Spotlights Podcasts

Join the Team: Administrative Assistant
Join the Team: Administrative Assistant

Position: Administrative AssistantTerm: Part-time, permanentReports to: Director of DevelopmentHourly: $20-24/hrApplication Deadline: Open until filled Summary: Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the local, independent business community. We serve... Continue Reading

Postedby Jacquie Berger
Date posted05/8/2026


Connecting County Leadership with our local roots
Connecting County Leadership with our local roots

A Series of Charleston County Economic Development Site Visits At Lowcountry Local First (LLF), we’ve always known that the heartbeat of Charleston County’s economy is the multitude of small businesses, from off the beaten paths to main street. It beats because of the unsung... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/7/2026


Join the Team: Bookkeeper
Join the Team: Bookkeeper

Position: BookkeeperTerm: Part-time, permanentReports to: Executive DirectorHourly: $30/hrApplication Deadline: Open until filled Summary: Lowcountry Local First (LLF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the local, independent business community. We serve more than 600 local... Continue Reading

Postedby Jacquie Berger
Date posted05/7/2026


Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit
Zoning Code Improvements: A Small Business Toolkit

We see you, small business owner. You are busy. And you’re up against a lot. Understanding how local land use policies and zoning regulations impact your business isn't just bureaucratic jargon – it's crucial for your bottom line and the very fabric of our beloved cities and... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted05/1/2026


May 2026: Advocacy Updates
May 2026: Advocacy Updates

Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates The Town of Mount Pleasant released its 2025 Annual Report in April. View the digital version here for a glimpse into the major milestones, initiatives, and achievements that shaped the Town over the past year. Lowcountry Rapid Transit... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted04/30/2026


From Family Traditions to Grocery Shelves: Annie’s Kiva Journey
From Family Traditions to Grocery Shelves: Annie’s Kiva Journey

We’re proud to spotlight another inspiring success story from our Invest Local Initiative: Addielee’s Kitchen & Catering LLC , a women-owned food business rooted in family, flavor, and community. Meet the Story Behind the Business Annie Whitlock’s lifelong passion for... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted04/27/2026


Eat Drink Local Tips April 2026
Eat Drink Local Tips April 2026

🍽️ Eat: Before making that dinner reservation, review the South Carolina Aquarium’s Good Catch Partners list of local restaurants committed to serving locally sourced seafood, such as Fleet Landing, Chez Nous, and The Grocery. Ted’s Butcherblock hosts Dinner’s for a Cause... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted04/1/2026


April 2026: Advocacy Updates
April 2026: Advocacy Updates

Local-Level Opportunities & Noteworthy Updates Town of Mount Pleasant launches Plan Pop-Ups: These informal conversations give you the opportunity to talk with Town's Planning Department staff members about what issues the Town should focus on most in the years ahead, from traffic and... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/31/2026


From Purpose to Funding: How One Local Soap Business Successfully Funded on Kiva
From Purpose to Funding: How One Local Soap Business Successfully Funded on Kiva

We’re proud to spotlight another inspiring success story from our Invest Local Initiative: Sea Soap Co., a local soap-making business built on inclusion, sustainability, and heart. Meet the Mission Behind the Business For Brian, this business started with a promise. After his daughter was... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted03/25/2026


A Creative Partnership Rooted in Place: The Indigo Road Hospitality Group × David Thompson Studio
A Creative Partnership Rooted in Place: The Indigo Road Hospitality Group × David Thompson Studio

Charleston’s hospitality scene is often celebrated for its ability to feel both deeply rooted and constantly evolving. Behind many of its most compelling spaces is a powerful, often unseen force: collaboration. Few partnerships exemplify this better than the ongoing relationship between... Continue Reading

Postedby Maud Bentley
Date posted03/23/2026


Small Business Tariff Reimbursement Process Updates
Small Business Tariff Reimbursement Process Updates

Update on April 20, 2026 via Main Street Alliance: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection began accepting IEEPA tariff refunds through their portal on April 20, 2026 at 8AM EST. If your business paid these tariffs, you may now be eligible to get that money back. Here’s what you need to know... Continue Reading

Postedby Jordan Amaker
Date posted03/19/2026


From Kiva to Café: Tracer Coffee's Grand Opening! ☕️
From Kiva to Café: Tracer Coffee's Grand Opening! ☕️

If you don’t already know Gina Cordoba, consider this your introduction to an incredible Charleston entrepreneur with a bold vision. A shining member of the Lowcountry Local First community, Gina has been building something special and we’re excited to share that her coffee shop,... Continue Reading

Postedby Mara Fields
Date posted03/19/2026