2026 Local Business Survey from Lowcountry Local First

Company Info and Operations

This business impact survey is intended only for locally-owned, independent businesses with company headquarters in the Lowcountry region. 50%+ of company ownership must reside in the Lowcountry region. The company must be private and independently held, not publicly traded. It is also not intended for franchises with headquarters outside the Lowcountry. If you are unsure if you qualify, please reach out to Jordan@lowcountrylocalfirst.org to verify. The survey will close on Friday, June 12, 2026.

This survey should take approximately 12-15 minutes to complete. It is best completed by an owner, manager, or someone with financial and operational understanding of the business. Please complete only one survey per business. Individual responses are CONFIDENTIAL. Results and takeaways will only be shared in aggregate form.

Municipal support for Lowcountry Local First comes from Charleston County Economic Development, the City of Goose Creek, the Town of Mount Pleasant, and the Town of James Island.

1.Your Information(Required.)

First and Last Name

Business Name

City/Town for your Primary Business Location

State

ZIP Code

County

Email Address

2.For how many years has your business been in operation? (Please use numbers only, no text.)(Required.)

4.How many employees does your business currently employ? (Add full and part-time employee numbers together. Please use numbers only, no text.)(Required.)

5.In the past 6 months, has the number of people your business employs increased, decreased or remained the same?(Required.)

Increased

Decreased

Stayed the same

My business does not have employees

6.Do you foresee any changes to your team size in the next 6 months?(Required.)

I expect I will need to implement layoffs

I plan to hire/expand my team

None apply - I foresee no changes

None apply - I have no employees

7.What was your business's gross annual revenue for 2025? (This information is not shared, but helps us understand trends and economic impacts in aggregate form.)(Required.)

8.Compared to 2024, did your business's total gross revenue increase, decrease, or remain the same in 2025?(Required.)

Increased.

Decreased.

Relatively the same as previous year.

Not applicable.

9.If your business relies on holiday sales, how did your sales perform during the 2025 holiday season?(Required.)

Very well, better than previous years

Somewhat well, similar to previous years

Somewhat poorly, slightly worse than previous years

Very pooly, significantly worse than previous years

Does not apply to my business

No change

10.Did your total gross revenue in Q1 2026 exceed, meet, or fall short of your projections?(Required.)

Q1 revenue exceeded expectations.

Q1 revenue met expectations.

Q1 revenue fell short of expectations.

Does not apply

11.Do you feel primarily hopeful, concerned, or neutral about meeting your total gross revenue year-end projection for 2026?(Required.)

concerned

hopeful

neutral

unsure

67%