SOUTH CAROLINA EDITION 2020 Small Business resource guide

GROW YOUR BUSINESS in south carolina

1 2 CONTENTS South Carolina Edition 2020

Local Business Funding Assistance Programs

8 National Success Story 26 National Success Story Jerado and Joyce Reynolds Jennifer and Jeff Herbert’s know their local landscape for meadery has expanded into a entrepreneurship support. multimillion dollar enterprise thanks to SBA assistance. 11 Local SBA Resource Partners 29 SBA Lenders

13 Your Advocates 34 Go Global with International Trade 14 How to Start a Business 36 R&D Opportunities for 18 Opportunities for Veterans High Growth Startups

19 10 Steps to Start 38 National Success Story Your Business Cheeseburger Baby owner Stephanie Vitori persevered 20 Entrepreneurial through a financial storm and a Opportunities natural disaster.

22 Write Your Business Plan 42 Surety Bonds

24 Local Success Story 44 Need Financing? When Steven Ceccarelli wanted to distribute Fresh Produce Inc. products overseas, he turned to Contracting the SBA.

45 National Success Story Jennifer Rahn steers the course for Admiral Engineering, succeeding as a small business subcontractor.

47 Government Contracting

48 SBA Certification Programs

49 Woman-Owned Small Business certification

ON THE COVER skyline of downtown Columbia, photo by Akhenaton06 from Wikimedia; Boyd and Nicole Johnson, courtesy of Boyd Cycling; Karen Jenkins, courtesy of Dan Beale, Bealebagley Creations LLC 3 4 5 PUBLISHED BY BY NEW SOUTH MEDIA New South Media, Inc. 304.413.0104 | newsouthmedia.com

PUBLISHER Let us Nikki Bowman, [email protected] DESIGNER help give Hayley Richard, [email protected] ASSOCIATE EDITORS Pam Kasey, [email protected] voice to Jess Walker, [email protected] OPERATIONS MANAGER your story. Holly Leleux-Thubron, [email protected] ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR Heather Mills, [email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES We have all heard the phrase “content is king.” Meggan Hoyman, Kelley McGinnis, Bryson Taylor Creating rich, engaging, and inspiring content [email protected]

differentiates your brand in the marketplace. But Copyright: New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohib- who has time to focus on anything other than ited without the express written permission of the publisher. © 2019 NEW SOUTH MEDIA, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED running their business? Narrative works with you to develop the tools to The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Marketing & Customer Service directs the publication of the Small Business Resource Guide under SBA Contract #SBAHQ- tell your story across all media platforms. Powerful 17-C-0018. SBA publication summer 2019 national edition #mcs-0089. and authentic storytelling helps you stand out. It WRITER/EDITOR Becky Bosshart inspires action. It creates an emotional impact (202) 205-6677 [email protected] and forges enduring relationships. It separates you DIRECTOR OF MARKETING from the competition. Paula Panissidi Tavares [email protected]

The SBA’s participation in this publication is not an endorsement of the views, opinions, products or services of the contractor or any advertiser or other participant appearing here. All SBA programs and services are extended to the public on a nondis- SCOPE OF SERVICES criminatory basis. Directory listings do not constitute or imply an endorsement by the SBA of any opinions, products, or services of any private individual or entity.

Printed in the United States of America. Brand Voice Brochures While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information con- Articles Photography tained here is accurate as of the date of publication, the information is subject to change without notice. The contractor that publishes this guide, the federal govern- ment, or agents thereof shall not be held liable for any damages arising from the use Blogs Videos of or reliance on the information contained in this publication. Website Content and more

To schedule a meeting or to learn more, contact Buddy Butler at [email protected] or call 304.615.9884.

6 SBA South Carolina District Office Strom Thurmond Federal Building Charleston Office 1835 Assembly St., suite 1425 3294 Ashley Phosphate Road, Columbia, SC 29201 suite 1D (803) 765-5377 North Charleston, SC 29418 sba.gov/sc (843) 225-7430 @SBA_SCarolina

District Director District Director Letter R. Gregg White elcome to the 2020 edition of the U.S. Small Business Administration’s South (803) 253-3360 Carolina Small Business Resource Guide. Small businesses are the backbone of [email protected] America’s economy, and that is reflected here in South Carolina. Over 99% of the Wstate’s businesses are small, and they are responsible for creating about 800,000 jobs in our Deputy District Director state. That is over 46% of the employed population. That is why the government works so Michael Corp hard to support small business. (803) 765-5961 The SBA helps make the American dream of small business ownership a reality. We are [email protected] the only federal agency dedicated to helping our 30 million small businesses start, grow, Charleston Senior Area expand, or recover after a disaster. The SBA South Carolina District Office works with an Wide Manager extensive network of business advisers and lenders to help South Carolina’s over 415,000 William Furman small businesses at every stage of development. (843) 225-7430 Across South Carolina in the last year, we empowered the state’s small businesses to: [email protected] • Find an ally, advocate or mentor via our 21 Small Business Development Centers and six SCORE chapters across the state. Lender Relations Specialist • Access over $312 million in SBA-guaranteed loans using local banks, credit unions, Frank Anderson community-based lenders, and microlenders. The 695 businesses that qualified for SBA- (803) 253-3018 backed financing hired thousands of new employees, bought needed equipment, and built [email protected] or renovated facilities. • Rebuild and recover from Hurricane Florence and Hurricane Michael with low-interest Business Opportunity Specialists disaster loans. Carl Faison • Gain more than $4.4 billion in federal contracting awards. (803) 253-3116 Our office is dedicated to ensuring that you have the resources you need to be a successful [email protected] entrepreneur. Stay up to date on SBA events near you and get valuable South Carolina business information by following us on Twitter at @SBA_SCarolina. Sign up for our weekly Angela Brewer newsletter at sba.gov/updates. Use our Small Business (803) 765-5907 Resource Guide to power your dream of starting, [email protected] growing, or expanding your small business here in Economic Development Specialist South Carolina. & Public Information Officer Sincerely, Savannah Wilburn (803) 253-3121 [email protected]

Economic Development Specialist R. Gregg White & Administrative Officer South Carolina District Director Susan Chavis (803) 765-5373 [email protected]

7 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

How We Did It Made

toJoyce and Jerado Last Reynolds used SBA support to succeed. Written by Micaela Morrissette COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHY SURECK SHANA OF COURTESY 8 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

eynolds Welding & Fabrication has grown steadily, building a loyal customer base, since Tips for Jerado Reynolds founded the company in 2005. Success R“At first the company was just Jerado,” recalls his wife and co-owner, Joyce 5 Find a great business mentor. Reynolds. “Then it was him and me part To find your local SBA office and time.” During the day she worked as a resource partners in your area, visit nurse and spent her evenings doing all sba.gov/localresources. the company’s paperwork. The Reynolds sank everything they earned into the business—money, time, and energy. She Have a healthy view remembers with pride helping Jerado of competition. weld a stair railing at a local school. Her COURTESY OF SHANA SURECK PHOTOGRAPHY SURECK SHANA OF COURTESY We’re not always competing. son later attended that same school, We’re a competitor, but if a similar and she watched her child and others SBA Resource Partner, where “from day business has extra work, they’ll send using the rail, benefiting from the one it was, Eureka! Everyone wanted it to us and vice versa. That’s the hard work the couple did together. It to see us win.” Women entrepreneurs relationship to have. was then Joyce decided as much as she receive essential business counseling and loved her day job, she wanted to devote training from this national network of herself full time to the family business community-based centers. Most helpful Record everything you do. in Windsor, Connecticut. She wanted was the detailed personal attention Navigating business relationships to work side-by-side with her husband, available through free one-on-one in this age means keeping an email fully focused on administration and record of everything you do. Leave a business counseling. Joyce also learned business growth. As they both hoped, clear paper trail. about workshops offered by providers like word of mouth spread; clients made the Metropolitan District, a Connecticut referrals. Joyce was soon overwhelmed nonprofit municipal corporation offering with paperwork. They brought on two water and sewer services. At a meet- Sacrifice to ensure quality. employees—doubling up in the busy We don’t cut corners. Sometimes you and-greet, Joyce understood how much seasons. They were able to maintain four have to lose money to do quality work— the SBA could help her business. An full-time employees by 2009. After this, it’s rough, but nothing is more important. SBA professional walked Joyce through Joyce says, they saw that “things were the extensive paperwork and, crucially, not moving.” She wanted to scale up. helped her register the company in Seek SBA assistance to Challenge the System for Award Management The company wasn’t growing in part (sam.gov), positioning the company for see if you qualify for because it wasn’t certified with the new federal contracts. business certifications. state department of transportation or “Resources like the Entrepreneurial We used to look for jobs. Now that prequalified with the Connecticut State Center and the SBA will train you from we’re on the SBA Subcontracting Department of Administrative Services, bottom to top,” Joyce says. “They have Network database, SubNet, and sam.gov, we have a continuous flow Joyce says. She decided to tackle the finance classes that open your eyes of contractors reaching out to us. certification problem full time, leaving regarding taxes. You'll learn how to her nursing career. This was the change register your business. They’ll help she'd been wanting to make, but since with a contract or your website or on two bridges—a lifelong dream. Joyce her background was in health care, accountability statements. Everything!” continues to move forward, getting Joyce didn’t feel fluent in the languages Before the SBA, Reynolds Welding Reynolds qualified for the SBA 8(a) of construction or business. Joyce attempted the DOT certification on five Business Development Program, which wanted to learn, and she had incentive: separate occasions, always falling short provides free business development they needed the certifications to bid because the process was so complicated. education to small businesses so they on bigger jobs. “Never be afraid to ask Joyce secured the certification with SBA can better compete in the public sector. questions,” she says. Joyce needed to guidance on the first attempt. “When I came on full time, I set a goal find people with answers. for what I would like for the company, Benefit and I’ve achieved 80% of that,” Joyce Solution Reynolds Welding now employs more says. When she secures 8(a) certification She and Jerado connected with the than 15 workers, constructing stairs, for Reynolds, she’ll have hit all her University of Hartford Entrepreneurial rails, structural beams, and columns objectives. Then, she admits, she’ll Center & Women’s Business Center, an throughout the region. Jerado is working probably come up with some new ones.

9 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

SBA Resource Partners No matter your industry, location, or experience, if you have a dream, the SBA is here to help you achieve it. Our SBA Resource Partners offer mentoring, counseling, and training to help you startup and thrive at all stages of the business life cycle. These independent organizations operating across the United States and U.S. territories are funded through SBA cooperative agreements or grants.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS

Achieve your dream of business ownership and remain competitive in an ever-changing global economy with assistance from your local SBDC. Access free counseling and free or low- + cost training on topics like regulatory compliance, technology 950 development, and international trade. Find an SBDC adviser at Small Business sba.gov/sbdc. Development Centers

SCORE

Join the ranks of other business owners who have experienced higher revenues and increased growth thanks to SCORE, the nation’s largest network of volunteer business mentors. Experienced + executives share real-world knowledge to fit your busy schedule. 300 SCORE mentors are available for free as often as you need, in person, SCORE chapters via email or over video chat. Find a mentor at sba.gov/score.

WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTERS

Women entrepreneurs receive essential business counseling and training from this national network of community-based centers. Each center tailors its services to help you navigate the challenges + women often face when starting or growing a business. To learn 100 about SBA resources for women visit sba.gov/women. Women’s Business Centers

VETERANS BUSINESS OUTREACH CENTERS

Veteran and military entrepreneurs receive business training, counseling, and referrals to other SBA Resource Partners at a Veterans Business Outreach Center, sba.gov/vboc. Receive + procurement guidance to better compete for government 20 contracts. VBOCs also serve active duty service members, Veterans Business National Guard or Reserve members, veterans of any era, and Outreach Centers military spouses.

10 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Our Local SBA Resource Partners SBA’s Resource Partners are independent organizations funded through SBA cooperative agreements or grants. Spartanburg Community College Karen Jenkins, president/CEO of KRJ Tyger River Campus Consulting in Charlotte, was directed to the SBA programs that would work best for 1875 E. Main St. her business by her local SBDC business Duncan adviser. Karen has succeeded in government (864) 592-6317 contracting thanks to the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program and the Emerging Leaders program. Lowcountry Chapter Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce 1 Chamber of Commerce Drive (843) 785-7107 sclowcountry.score.org Beaufort (843) 470-0800 Bluffton (843) 785-7105 Small Business Development Centers

COURTESY OF DAN BEALE, BEALEBAGLEY CREATIONS LLC scsbdc.com @scsbdc Grand Strand Chapter 605 10th Ave. N. State Director’s Office SCORE University of South Carolina Visit sba.gov/score to start working on Myrtle Beach Moore School of Business your business goals. Contact your local (843) 918-1079 office to schedule an appointment. grandstrand.score.org 1014 Greene St. Columbia Greater Aiken Chapter (803) 777-4907 Aiken Chamber of Commerce Midlands Chapter [email protected] 121 Richland Ave. E. Columbia Chamber of Commerce 930 Richland St. (803) 641-1111 Clemson Area SBDC greateraiken.score.org Columbia Clemson University North Augusta (803) 765-5131 413 Sirrine Hall 406 West Ave. midlands.score.org (864) 710-4717 (803) 279-2323 Chapin (803) 345-1100 [email protected] clemson.edu/sbdc Charleston Chapter Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Lonnie Hamilton III Building 214 N. Fifth St. (843) 332-6401 Greenville Area SBDC 4045 Bridge View Drive, suite B151 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, suite C-12 North Charleston Piedmont Chapter Greenville (843) 727-4778 (864) 370-1545 charlestonsc.score.org 31 Boland Court [email protected] Summerville Greenville Summerville Library (864) 271-3638 76 Old Trolley Road piedmont.score.org 11 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Greenwood Area SBDC Hilton Head Area SBDC Florence Area SBDC 430 Helix Road USCB Gateway to Hilton Head Campus Florence-Darlington Technical College Greenwood 1 University Blvd. 2715 W. Lucas St. (864) 941-8092 Bluffton Florence [email protected] (843) 208-8259 (843) 661-8256 [email protected] [email protected] Spartanburg Area SBDC Lexington florencesbdc.org Spartanburg Community College 311 W. Main St. Georgetown Library Tyger River Campus (803) 777-5118 405 Cleland St. 1875 E. Main St., suite 4 (843) 606-0116 Duncan Newberry Area SBDC coastal.edu/sbdc (864) 592-6318 Newberry College [email protected] 2100 College St. Myrtle Beach Area SBDC (803) 321-5689 Coastal Carolina University Atlantic Hall Orangeburg Area SBDC [email protected] 642 Century Circle South Carolina State University Conway Algernon S. Belcher Hall Sumter Area SBDC (843) 349-5070 300 College St. NE USC Sumter [email protected] Orangeburg 200 Miller Road, room 216 coastal.edu/sbdc (803) 536-8445 (803) 938-3833 [email protected] [email protected] Rock Hill Area SBDC scsu.edu/sbdc Winthrop University Walterboro Winthrop Region SBDC 118 Thurmond Building Colleton Commercial Kitchen winthropregionalsbdc.org Rock Hill 514 E. Washington St. Cheraw (803) 323-2283 (843) 549-2303 Northeastern Technical College [email protected] 1201 Chesterfield Highway Union Aiken Area SBDC (843) 910-7352 [email protected] USC-Aiken School of Business 471 University Parkway (803) 641-3646 [email protected]

Beaufort Area SBDC USCB Historic Beaufort Campus 801 Carteret St. (843) 521-4143 [email protected]

Charleston Area SBDC The Citadel 256A Bond Hall 171 Moultrie St. Charleston O'Connor Belting, a Delaware (843) 953-7220 family-owned business, [email protected] expanded with the help of an SBA-guaranteed 7(a) loan. charlestonsbdc.com North Charleston Area SBDC Veterans Business Outreach Center 6296 Rivers Ave., suite 300 Veteran entrepreneurs or small business owners can receive business training, North Charleston counseling and mentoring, and referrals to other SBA Resource Partners at a Veterans (843) 740-6160 Business Outreach Center, sba.gov/vboc. This is also the place to receive procurement [email protected] guidance, which can help your business better compete for government contracts.

Columbia Area SBDC Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource Center 1225 Laurel St., third floor 1001 S. Armed Forces Blvd. Columbia Warner Robins, GA (803) 777-5118 (478) 218-3900 [email protected] avecpr.org

12 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

To report how a proposed federal regulation could unfairly affect you, Your find your regional SBA advocate at sba.gov/advocacy.

To submit a comment about how your business has been hurt by an Advocates existing regulation, visit The SBA’s offices of advocacy and ombudsman are sba.gov/ombudsman/comments independent voices for small business within the federal government.

Advocacy When you need a voice within the federal »» when you need economic and small »» seek remedies when rules are government for your interests as a small business statistics inconsistently applied business owner, the SBA’s regional advocates The SBA’s Office of Advocacy also »» recover payment for services done by are here to assist. The advocates analyze the independently represents small business and government contractors effects of proposed regulations and consider advances its concerns before Congress, the alternatives that minimize the economic White House, federal agencies, federal courts, Make your voice heard by participating in a burden on small businesses, governmental and state policy makers. Regional Regulatory Enforcement Fairness jurisdictions, and nonprofits. Find your Roundtable or a public hearing hosted by the regional advocate at sba.gov/advocacy. Ombudsman SBA’s national ombudsman. These events Entrepreneurs who have an issue with an are posted periodically on the ombudsman Your advocate helps with these small existing federal regulation or policy can website, . business issues: sba.gov/ombudsman receive assistance from the SBA’s national To submit a comment or complaint through »» if your business could be negatively ombudsman. the online form, visit sba.gov/ombudsman/ affected by regulations proposed by the . Your concerns will be directed to The ombudsman’s office helps you: comments government the appropriate federal agency for review. The » resolve regulatory disputes with federal »» if you have contracting issues with a » SBA will collaborate with you and the agency federal agency agencies to help resolve the issue. »» reduce unfair penalties and fines 13 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Adriana Medina, owner of Fuerte Fitness, in Seattle, WA, received counseling from a SCORE mentor and a Women's

Business Center adviser. COURTESY OF THE SBA How to Start a Business in South Carolina Thinking of starting a business? Here are the nuts & bolts.

The Startup Logistics https://cbb.census.gov/sbe. Filter your Name Registration search by business type and location to Even if you’re running a home-based Register your business name with the county view data on your potential customers, business, you will have to comply with clerk where your business is located. If you’re including consumer spending, and a many local, state, and federal regulations. a corporation, also register with the state. summary of existing businesses, available Do not ignore regulatory details. You may as a map and a report. »» SC Secretary of State avoid some red tape in the beginning, but 1205 Pendleton St., suite 525 your lack of compliance could become Columbia an obstacle as your business grows. Business License & Zoning (803) 734-2170 Taking the time to research regulations scsos.com is as important as knowing your market. Licenses are typically administered by a Carefully investigate the laws affecting variety of state and local departments. Taxes It is important to consider zoning your industry. Being out of compliance As a business owner, you should know regulations when choosing a site could leave you unprotected legally, lead your federal tax responsibilities and make for your business. Contact the local to expensive penalties, and jeopardize some business decisions to comply with business license office where you plan your business. certain tax requirements. The IRS Small to locate your business. You may not Business and Self-Employed Tax Center, be permitted to conduct business out Market Research go.usa.gov/xPxYR, offers information on of your home or engage in industrial Need to do research on your clients and a variety of topics including: obtaining an activity in a retail district. Find your location? View consumer and business Employer Identification Number, paying city and county contacts at the South data for your area using the Census and filing income tax, virtual workshops, Carolina Business One Stop, (803) 898- Business Builder: Small Business Edition, forms, and publications. 5960, or visit scbos.sc.gov. 14 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

An O’Fallon Casting Inc. employee at work in O’Fallon, MO. General Manager Vince Gimeno grew his business thanks to the Small Business Innovation

COURTESY OF THE SBA Research Program.

As the IRS continues to implement some to verify employment eligibility of »» U.S. Department of Labor Wage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions, your new employees. The law obligates & Hour Division tax obligations may change. Visit the Tax an employer to process Employment 1835 Assembly St., suite 1072 Reform Provisions that Affect Businesses Eligibility Verification Form I-9. The U.S. Columbia page on irs.gov for the latest tax reform Citizenship and Immigration Service (803) 765-5981 updates that affect your bottom line. offers information and assistance »» SC Department of Labor Licensing »» Small Business Stakeholder Liaison through uscis.gov/i-9-central. For forms & Regulations Evette Davis call (800) 870-3676. For the employer Kingstree Building (803) 548-4350 hotline call (888) 464-4218 or email 110 Centerview Drive [email protected] [email protected]. Columbia E-Verify, operated by the Department (803) 896-4300 »» State Taxes of Homeland Security in partnership llr.state.sc.us SC Department of Revenue with the Social Security Administration, (803) 898-5000 electronically verifies the Social Security Employee Insurance dor.sc.gov number and employment eligibility Check with your state laws to see if you Social Security information reported on Form I-9. It’s the are required to provide unemployment quickest way for employers to determine or workers’ compensation insurance for If you have any employees, including officers the employment eligibility of new hires. your employees. For health insurance of a corporation but not the sole proprietor or Visit e-verify.gov, call (888) 464-4218 or options, call the Small Business Health partners, you must make periodic payments, email [email protected]. Options Program at (800) 706-7893 and/or file quarterly reports about payroll or visit healthcare.gov/small- taxes and other mandatory deductions. You Health & Safety businesses/employers. can contact the IRS or the Social Security All businesses with employees are Department of Labor Association Administration for information, assistance, required to comply with state and federal Health Plans allow small businesses, and forms, at (800) 772-1213 or visit regulations regarding the protection of including self-employed workers, to socialsecurity.gov/employer. You can file employees, visit dol.gov for information. band together by geography or industry W-2s online or verify job seekers through the The Occupational Safety and Health to obtain healthcare coverage as if Social Security Number Verification Service. Administration provides information on they were a single large employer. For Employment Eligibility the specific health and safety standards information, visit dol.gov/general/ used by the U.S. Department of Labor. topic/association-health-plans. Verification Call (800) 321-6742 or visit osha.gov. The Federal Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers

15 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Reeves Clippard used the business knowledge he acquired in the SBA Emerging Leaders program to grow

A/R Solar in Seattle, WA. COURTESY OF THE SBA

Environmental the ADA standards to the U.S. Access Office is the federal agency that grants Board at (800) 872-2253, TTY (800) U.S. patents and registers trademarks. Regulations 993-2822, [email protected] or visit For information and resources about State assistance is available for access-board.gov. U.S. patents and federally registered small businesses that must comply trademarks consult uspto.gov. Call with environmental regulations Child Support the patent and trademark office help under the Clean Air Act. State Small Employers are essential to the success center at (800) 786-9199 or visit the U.S. Business Environmental Assistance of the child support program and are Patent and Trademark headquarters in programs provide free and confidential responsible for collecting 75% of support Alexandria, Virginia. assistance to help small business nationwide through payroll deductions. A patent for an invention is the grant owners understand and comply with The Office of Child Support Enforcement of a property right to an inventor, issued complex environmental regulations at Health and Human Services offers by the U.S. patent office. The right and permitting requirements. These employers step-by-step instructions conferred by the patent grant is the right state programs can help businesses for processing income withholding to exclude others from making, using, reduce emissions at the source, often orders for child support. Download the offering for sale, or selling the invention reducing regulatory burden and saving fact sheet about the Employer’s Role in the United States or importing you money. To learn more about these in the Child Support Program at the the invention into the country. For free services visit nationalsbeap.org/ Office of Child Support Enforcement’s information visit uspto.gov/inventors. states/list. website at acf.hhs.gov/programs/css > There are three types of patents: »» SC Department of Health and employer responsibilities. You can also • Utility patents may be granted to Environmental Control find information about other employer anyone who invents or discovers any 2600 Bull St. responsibilities and tools that can make new and useful process, machine, Columbia meeting those responsibilities easier, manufacture, or composition of (803) 898-3432 such as electronic income withholding matter, or any new and useful scdhec.gov orders and the Child Support Portal. improvement. Send questions to employerservices@ • Design patents may be granted to Accessibility and acf.hhs.gov. anyone who invents a new, original, ADA Compliance and ornamental design for an article For assistance with the Americans with Intellectual Property of manufacture. Disabilities Act, call the ADA Center Patents, trademarks, and copyrights are • Plant patents may be granted to at (800) 949-4232 or the Department types of intellectual property that serve anyone who invents or discovers and of Justice at (800) 514-0301. Direct to protect creations and innovations. asexually reproduces any distinct questions about accessible design and The United States Patent and Trademark and new variety of plant, other than 16 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

• a tuber propagated plant or a plant Cheraw found in an uncultivated state. Chambers of (843) 537-7681 A trademark or service mark includes Commerce cherawchamber.com any word, name, symbol, device, or Cherokee County African American Chamber any combination, used or intended to (864) 489-5721 be used to identify and distinguish the (803) 661-2977 cherokeechamber.org goods/services of one seller or provider scachamber.org Chester County from those of others and to indicate American Indian Chamber (803) 581-4142 the source of the goods/services. (843) 224-4000 chesterchamber.com Trademarks and service marks may be aiccsc.org registered at both the state and federal Clarendon County Abbeville level. The U.S. Patent and Trademark (803) 435-4405 (864) 366-4600 Office only registers federal trademarks clarendoncounty.com abbevillechamber.org and service marks. Federally registered Clemson area Aiken trademarks may conflict with and (864) 654-1200 supersede those registered only at the (803) 641-1111 clemsonareachamber.org state level. Visit uspto.gov/trademarks. aikenchamber.net Clover Copyrights protect original works of Anderson (803) 222-3312 authorship including literary, dramatic, (864) 226-3454 cloverchamber.org musical and artistic, and certain other andersonscchamber.com Columbia intellectual works. Copyrights do not Aynor protect facts, ideas, and systems, (803) 733-1110 (843) 358-4808 columbiachamber.com although they may protect the way they aynorareachamberofcommerce.com are expressed. Conway Bamberg For general information contact: (843) 248-2273 (803) 245-4427 conwayscchamber.com »» U.S. Copyright Office bambergcountychamber.org U.S. Library of Congress Darlington Barnwell James Madison Memorial Building (843) 393-2641 (803) 259-7446 101 Independence Ave. SE darlingtonchamber.com southernpalmettoregionalchamber.org Washington, DC Dillon County Batesburg-Leesville (202) 707-3000 or toll free (843) 774-8551 (877) 476-0778 (803) 532-4339 dilloncounty.sc.gov copyright.gov batesburg-leesvillechamber.org Easley County Beaufort (864) 859-2693 Export (843) 525-8525 easleychamber.org beaufortchamber.org Edgefield County Assistance Beaufort County Black Chamber (803) 275-0010 (843) 986-1102 U.S. Export Assistance Centers edgefieldcountychamber.net bcbcc.org 1362 McMillian Ave., suite 100 Edisto Berkley North Charleston (843) 869-3867 (843) 746-3404 (843) 761-8238 edistochamber.com export.gov/southcarolina berkeleysc.org Fairfield County Columbia Blythewood 1301 Gervais St., suite 1100 (803) 635-4242 (803) 403-6769 fairfieldchamber.sc (803) 255-2623 blythewoodchamber.com Greenville Florence Calhoun Falls 216 S. Pleasantburg Drive, suite 243 (843) 665-0515 (864) 418-8672 (704) 340-1299 florchamber.com Cayce West Columbia Fountain Inn SC Department of Commerce– (803) 794-6504 (864) 862-2586 International Strategy & Trade cwcchamber.com fountaininnchamber.org 1201 Main St., suite 1600 Chapin Columbia Georgetown County (803) 345-1100 (803) 737-0598 (843) 546-8436 chapinchamber.com sccommerce.com/export-incentives visitgeorge.com Charleston Metro Greenville (843) 577-2510 (864) 242-1050 charlestonchamber.org greenvillechamber.org 17 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Greenwood Lexington Pickens (864) 223-8431 (803) 359-6113 (864) 878-3258 greenwoodscchamber.org lexingtonsc.org pickenschamberofcommerce.com

Greer Little River Rock Hill (864) 877-3131 (843) 249-6604 (803) 324-7500 greerchamber.com littleriverchamber.org yorkcountychamber.com

Hampton County Loris Saluda County (803) 914-2143 (843) 756-6030 (864) 445-4100 hamptoncountychamber.org lorischamber.com saludachambersc.org

Hardeeville Marion SC Chamber (843) 784-3630 (843) 423-3561 (803) 799-4601 hardeevillechamber.com marionscchamber.com scchamber.net

Hartsville Mauldin SC Hispanic Chamber (843) 332-6401 (864) 297-1323 (864) 643-7261 hartsvillechamber.org mauldinchamber.org schcc.org

Hilton Head-Bluffton McCormick SC Small Business (843) 785-3673 (864) 852-2835 (803) 252-5733 hiltonheadchamber.org mccormickscchamber.org scsbc.org

Inman Midland Valley Simpsonville area (864) 472-3654 (803) 392-7043 (864) 963-3781 inmanscchamber.org facebook.com/mvachamber simpsonvillechamber.com

Irmo Mullins Spartanburg area (803) 749-9355 (843) 464-6651 (864) 594-5000 greaterirmochamber.com mullinschamber.com spartanburgchamber.com

Jasper County Myrtle Beach Summerville & Dorchester County (843) 726-8126 (843) 626-7444 (843) 873-2931 jaspersc.org myrtlebeachareachamber.com greatersummerville.org

Kershaw County Newberry County Sumter (803) 432-2525 (803) 276-4274 (803) 775-1231 kershawcountychamber.org newberrycountychamber.com sumterchamber.com

Lake City Ninety Six Tri-County region (843) 374-8611 (864) 543-2047 (843) 563-8187 lakecitysc.org ninetysixsc.gov tri-crcc.com

Lake Murray North Augusta Union County (803) 356-2151 (803) 279-2323 (864) 427-9039 lakemurraychamber.com northaugustachamber.org unionsc.info

Lake Wylie North Myrtle Beach Walterboro-Colleton (803) 831-2827 (843) 281-2662 (843) 549-9595 lakewyliechambersc.com northmyrtlebeachchamber.com walterboro.org

Lancaster County Oconee County Westminster (803) 283-4105 (864) 882-2097 (864) 647-5316 lancasterchambersc.org oconeechambersc.com westminstersc.com

Laurens County Orangeburg County Williamsburg (864) 833-2716 (803) 534-6821 (843) 355-6431 laurenscounty.org/cc orangeburgchamber.com williamsburgsc.org

Lee County Pageland York County region (803) 483-2800 (843) 672-6400 (803) 324-7500 leecountychambersc.com pagelandcham.net yorkcountychamber.com

18 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

Need financing? Loan Fee Relief To encourage lending to members of the military community who want to start or grow their business, the SBA reduces upfront guarantee fees on select loans. That means the cost savings will be passed down to you, the eligible veteran or qualifying military member. Ask your local SBA district office or SBA Lender about the Veterans Advantage program. Have an employee who was called to active duty?

COURTESY OF LIFEHEALTH OF COURTESY You may receive funds that enable your business to meet ordinary and necessary HOW THE SBA HELPED US SUCCEED operating expenses when an essential Margot Adam Langstaff, left, and Elisa Hamill, right, sought assistance from their employee is called up to active duty in the local Veterans Business Outreach Center, which helped them better compete for military reserve. Ask your local SBA district government contracts. LifeHealth of Littleton, CO has expanded to more than 30 office or SBA Lender about the Military states with offices in Washington, DC and San Antonio, TX. Their clients include the Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan. Department of Defense, the National Guard, and the Indian Health Service. They also expanded their business using an SBA-backed line of credit for $350,000. Margot Interested in contracting? started her career as an Army medic, eventually running one of the largest outpatient Veteran-owned and service-disabled clinics in the Northeast at Ft. Devens, MA. veteran-owned small businesses interested in federal contracting receive training from the Veteran Institute for Procurement, which offers a platform with three Opportunities training programs to assist veterans. Visit nationalvip.org. for Veterans VIP Start Members of the military community can start and grow their small Enter the federal market and become ready businesses with the help of SBA programs. for procurement. Nearly 200 veteran-owned businesses from 29 states plus Washington, Need entrepreneurship training? For women veterans DC have graduated from the program. In Boots to Business, you explore Receive entrepreneurial training geared VIP Grow business ownership and other self- toward women veterans, service members, Strategize to expand and operate within employment opportunities while learning and spouses of service members through the federal marketplace. More than 700 key business concepts. You will walk away these SBA-funded programs: veteran-owned businesses from 42 states with an overview of entrepreneurship »» Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of plus DC and Guam have graduated from and applicable business ownership Entrepreneurship in Syracuse, New York this program. fundamentals, including how to access VIP International startup capital using SBA resources. »» LiftFund in San Antonio, Texas Enter or expand your federal and commercial Boots to Business is conducted on all For service-disabled veterans contracting opportunities overseas. military installations as part of the Learn how to start and grow a small business Department of Defense’s Transition Get certified using these SBA-funded programs: Assistance Program. Learn about the service-disabled veteran- »» Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans owned small business certification program Who’s eligible? with Disabilities in Syracuse, New York on page 49. Service members transitioning out of »» Veterans Entrepreneurship Program at active duty and military spouses. For more assistance the Riata Center for Entrepreneurship, Are you a veteran or member of Veteran and military entrepreneurs Spears School of Business, Oklahoma the National Guard or Reserve or a receive business training, counseling, and State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma military spouse? Boots to Business: referrals to other SBA Resource Partners Reboot teaches this entrepreneurship »» Veteran Entrepreneurship Jumpstart at at a Veterans Business Outreach Center, curriculum off base and in local St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, sba.gov/vboc. For veterans business communities. Register for either B2B Pennsylvania information visit sba.gov/veterans. program at https://sbavets.force.com. »» Dog Tag Inc., affiliated with Georgetown University in Washington, DC 19 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Entrepreneurial Opportunities

Regional Innovation Clusters Create jobs and grow the economy through an SBA Regional Innovation Cluster. Online Resources Find free short courses and learning Who should join Small businesses driving innovation in one of these tech industries: tools to start and grow your small • advanced composites business at sba.gov/learning. The free SBA Online Learning Center is a • agTech great resource for every entrepreneur, • bioscience especially rural business owners looking • food processing for easy access to vital business training. • data sciences • medical sciences Courses include: • power and energy • writing your business plan • unmanned aerial systems • buying a business • water tech • financing options • wood products • digital and traditional marketing to win customers • disaster recovery How it works • understanding your customer Each industry cluster is based in a geographic region. Your small business must be located in or near that region in order to join the cluster. For example, the AgLaunch Initiative cluster, which focuses on agricultural technology, is located in the Tennessee area. A small agTech business in or near Tennessee will connect with other agTech suppliers, service providers, and related institutions through that innovation cluster. Native American How it benefits you Network with other industry innovators and connect with Workshops resources that will help your small business find funding. You’ll Tribal enterprises and business organizations also receive guidance on how to better compete for government contracts and other opportunities so you can grow and expand. can receive training at an SBA Entrepreneurial Receive free technical and legal assistance to develop your tech Empowerment Workshop. These workshops and get it to market for government and industry buyers. cover business concepts important for starting, Get involved growing, or expanding a small business. RedWind Find an SBA Regional Innovation Cluster near you by visiting instructors identify and help participants avoid sba.gov/localassistance. Select the regional innovation clusters common pitfalls. Learn how to prepare a business on the drop-down menu. plan, gain access to capital, and basic book keeping. Request a workshop in your area by visiting nativesmallbusiness.org.

20 SBA Regional Innovation Clusters

Autonomous & Unmanned Systems Cluster – Emerging Tech Ventures Integrative Business Services Inc. (Industry focus: Optics) The Ozarks Cluster – Startup Junkie (Industry focus: Food processing, supply Great Plains Technology & chain, & logistics) Manufacturing Cluster

The Water Council Cluster Montana Bioscience Cluster – Montana Technology Enterprise Center Marine Industry Science & T echnology Cluster AgLaunch Initiative BioSTL: St. Louis Biosciences Cluster Utah Advanced Material Oklahoma-South Kansas Unmanned Aeri- Manufacturing Initiative al Systems Cluster Defense Alliance - LSI Business The Appalachian Ohio Wood Products Cluster Development Inc. (Industry focus: Advanced Power and Energy) Conductor RIC in Healthcare, Education & Data/Decision Sciences – Startup Junkie Consulting 21 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE Write your Business Plan Your business plan is the foundation of your business. Learn how to write a business plan with the help of an SBA Resource Partner. TRADITIONAL BUSINESS PLAN FORMAT When you write your business plan, you don’t have to stick to the exact business plan template. Instead, use the sections that make the most sense for your business and your needs. Executive Summary Briefly summarize your company and why it will be successful. Include your mission statement, your product or service, and basic information about your company’s leadership team, employees, and location. You should also include financial information and high-level growth plans if you plan to ask for financing. Company Description Go into detail about the problems your business solves. Be specific as to audience and location. List out the consumers, organizations, or businesses your company plans to serve. Explain the competitive advantages you have that will make your business successful. Are there experts on your team? Have you found the perfect location? Your company description is the place to boast about your strengths. Market Analysis Demonstrate a solid understanding of your industry outlook and tar- get market. This is where it pays to partner with an experienced busi- ness counselor from your local Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Women's Business Center, or Veterans Business Outreach Center—all these SBA Resource Partners provide free or low-cost business assistance. Competitive research will show what other busi- nesses are doing and their strengths. In your market research, look for trends and themes. What do successful competitors do? Why does it work? Can you do it better? Now's the time to answer these questions. Business plans help you run your business. A good business plan guides you through managing your business. Organization and Management You’ll use your business plan as a roadmap for how to structure, run, Explain how your com- and grow your new business. pany will be structured Business plans can help you get funding or bring on new and who will run it. business partners. Investors want to see a return on their Describe the legal Want to see an investment. Your business plan is the tool you’ll use to convince structure of your busi- example of a people that working with you—or investing in your company—is ness. State whether you a smart investment. Brain storm with a business counselor (visit have or intend to incor- business plan? one of our SBA Resource Partners detailed on page 8) and write porate your business as View examples of business plans a C or an S corporation, a traditional business plan, which uses a standard structure at sba.gov/business-guide/plan/ form a general or limited and detailed sections. Once you've got it all down, you can then write-your-business- condense it to a lean startup business plan, which typically partnership, or if you're a plan-template contains key points on only one page. sole proprietor or limited liability company.

22 LOCAL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE

LEAN STARTUP PLAN FORMAT TRADITIONAL BUSINESS PLAN CHECKLIST Write a lean startup plan if requested from an investor, or if your ❒ Executive summary business is relatively simple or you plan to regularly change and refine as you go. ❒ Company description Lean startup plans use more visual organization tools and only a ❒ Market analysis handful of elements to describe your company’s value proposition, ❒ Organization and management infrastructure, customers, and finances. They’re useful for visualiz- ing your company's fundamental facts. Your business counselor can ❒ Service or product line help you edit down into the Business Model Canvas, used here—the ❒ Marketing and sales most well known style, or another lean startup template. ❒ Funding request Key Partnerships ❒ Financial projections Note the other businesses you’ll work with--suppliers, manufactur- ers, subcontractors, and similar strategic partners. ❒ Appendix Key Activities List the ways your business will gain a competitive advantage. Use an organizational chart to show the hierarchy. Explain how Will you sell direct to consumers or use technology to tap into the each person’s experience will contribute to the success of your sharing economy? venture. Consider including CVs of key members. Key Resources Service or Product Line List resources you’ll leverage to create value for your customer. Describe what you sell or what service you offer. Explain how it ben- Your most important assets include staff, capital, or intellectual efits your customers and the product lifecycle. Share your plans for property. Leverage business resources that might be available intellectual property, like copyright or patent filings. If you're doing to women, veterans, Native Americans, and HUBZone–certified research and development for your service or product, explain it. businesses. Marketing and Sales Value Proposition Your marketing strategy should evolve and change to fit your needs Make a clear and compelling statement about the unique value in each context. your company brings to the market. Describe how you'll attract and retain customers. Show how a sale will actually happen. You'll refer to this section later when you Customer Relationships make financial projections, so be thorough. Describe how customers will interact with your business. Think through the customer experience from start to finish. Is it auto- Funding Request mated or personal? In person or online? If you're asking for funding, outline your funding requirements. Specify whether you want debt or equity and the terms you'd like. Customer Segments Your goal is to clearly explain how much funding you’ll need over Name your target market. Your business won’t be for everybody; the next five years and how the investment will be used. it’s important to have a clear sense of who you serve. Specify if you need funds to buy equipment or materials, pay Channels salaries, or cover specific bills until revenue increases. Explain how List the most important ways you’ll talk to your customers. you'll pay off the debt. Cost Structure Financial Projections Will your company focus on reducing cost or maximizing value? Supplement your funding request with a prospective financial Define your strategy, then list the most significant costs you’ll face. outlook for the next five years. Show how your business will be a Revenue Streams financial success. Explain how your company makes money: direct sales, member- If your business is already established, include income state- ships fees, selling advertising space? If your company has multiple ments, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for the last three to revenue streams, list them all. five years. List collateral you could put against a loan. Include forecasted income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and capital expenditure budgets. For the first year, be even more specific and use quarterly—or even monthly —projections. Make sure to clearly explain your projections and LEAN STARTUP PLAN CHECKLIST match them to your funding requests. ❒ Key partnerships ❒ Customer segments Use visual organization tools--graphs and charts—to tell your business's financial story. ❒ Key activities ❒ Channels ❒ Key resources ❒ Cost structure Appendix Here you'll attach supporting documents or other requested ❒ Value proposition ❒ Revenue streams materials. Common items to include are credit histories, CVs, ❒ Customer relationships product pictures, letters of reference, licenses, permits, patents, legal documents, and other contracts.

23 local success story

Boyd & Nicole Johnson OWNERS, BOYD CYCLING Greenville, SC

When Boyd and Nicole • What challenge did you have? As former professional cyclists, we knew there was Johnson wanted to an international demand for innovative cycling products. We just had to tap into distribute their high- that international market with our small-business budget. One of the biggest obsta- performance bicycle wheels cles was we didn’t have the capacity nor capability to market ourselves abroad. The overseas, the couple turned cycling world really requires personal interaction and face-to-face meetings. We to the SBA. With the help needed a budget to meet clients where they are to tell them about the benefits of of SBA export assistance, our products. the Johnsons are competing better here and abroad. • What was the SBA solution? We used the SBA-funded State Trade Expansion Program to help us export our products to Europe. First, we reached out to the South Carolina Department of Commerce, which administers the STEP grant to assist small businesses to succeed in the international marketplace. The Department of Commerce provided the funding for Boyd Cycling to expand our marketing to European, Asian, and South American countries by participating in trade shows in Germany and Taiwan.

• What benefit did this have for you? Learning how to export from STEP program specialists was a tremendous time saver. Our grant allowed us to travel to many international locations for seminars and trade shows to meet with customers and secure new contracts. Thanks to the STEP program, we’ve increased sales by about 20%, while gaining momenum to continue business growth. Our business is now exporting to South America, Australia, and Asia. We are a husband and wife team, and it would’ve been difficult to accomplish that without the help of the SBA and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. We are very appreciative of their support and for making the world a better market for small businesses.

24 COURTESY OF BOYD CYCLING

We used the SBA-funded State Trade Expansion Program to help us export our products to Europe.” Boyd & Nicole Johnson Owners, Boyd Cycling 25 FUNDING PROGRAMS Financing Your Small Business

How We Did It Crafting a

BusinessSBA-backed financing helped Superstition Meadery expand into a multimillion dollar enterprise. written by Becky Bosshart COURTESY OF SUPERSTITION MEADERY SUPERSTITION OF COURTESY 26 FUNDING PROGRAMS

ennifer and Jeff Herbert’s Solution home-based brewing has Thanks to guidance from an SBA expanded into a global, Resource Partner, the Small Business multimillion dollar Development Center at Yavapai enterprise thanks to SBA Community College, Jennifer and Jeff FUNDING PROGRAMS assistance. Using Arizona honey and learned about financing that worked Jingredients they’ve sourced from for them. The SBA guarantees loans Financing Your Small Business around the world (such as Tahitian made by lending institutions to small vanilla and Moroccan saffron), the business that would not otherwise be Herberts are selling nearly 30,000 able to obtain financing. Their small Tips for gallons annually of their honey-based business qualified for two SBA-backed fermented beverage. They operate a loans totaling more than $600,000. The downtown Prescott, Arizona tasting Herberts’ first SBA-backed loan allowed Success room and state-of-the-art production them to acquire commercial property to 5 facility, creating jobs and building design and build their mead production Get guidance. a local craft industry. The Herberts, facility. Their second SBA-backed loan Develop a working relationship with founding members of the American provided the funding for professional an SBA Resource Partner (see page 8) Mead Makers Association, have brewing equipment to complete their to help you find the funding that works traveled around the world hosting 7,450-square-foot production space. The best for you. pairing events and pouring at craft Herberts recently purchased a historic beverage festivals. building in downtown Phoenix, Arizona Define your lending needs. Challenge to open a mead-pairing restaurant. Determine if a loan is right for you. Is Benefit The Herberts wanted to scale up their this the right time? How much do you The Herberts started with two meadery while also staying true to need? What are you going to use it for? their values of quality ingredients and employees and now have over 20 craft process. It is often difficult for producing 29,000 gallons this year. new entrepreneurs or unique concepts From a homegrown setup, Jennifer and Talk to multiple lenders. Jeff are now charting revenue in excess like a meadery to get traditional See who best matches you and your financing, even though they knew of $2.6 million and distributing to 37 business. Has the lender successfully they had a great idea, the backing states, across Europe and Southeast worked with other businesses in wasn’t there to expand. They say that Asia. They have plans for another your industry? choosing to do something new breaks expansion, including a shipping the mold, which can be uncomfortable warehouse to manage their online retail for traditional lenders. and wholesale orders. Check all options. Consult with your lender to see if you’re eligible for SBA financing programs, determined by your industry & experience; collateral; credit score; and the relationship & transparency you develop with the lending agent.

Be ready for the ups and downs. Your entrepreneurial endeavor will be a roller coaster ride filled with challenges and successes. The path is all consuming so make sure that you love what you do. Passion is the price of admission.

Jeff & Jennifer Herbert, owners of Superstition Meadery, completed their 7,450-square- foot production space and opened a tasting room in Prescott, AZ with the assistance of SBA-backed financing. See their story on YouTube by searching for the 2019 National

COURTESY OF SUPERSTITION MEADERY SUPERSTITION OF COURTESY Small Business Persons of the Year.

27 FUNDING PROGRAMS

Lender SBA-backed Loans help small business owners and entrepreneurs who are Match creditworthy but don’t qualify for conventional financing. Find a lender interested If you cannot obtain a business loan with reasonable rates in working with you at sba.gov/lendermatch. and terms, contact your local SBA Lender to see if you are This matching tool eligible for SBA programs. The SBA works with participating connects entrepreneurs lenders to reduce their risk, increasing the likelihood your with SBA Lenders in loan will be approved with the terms that work best for your area. you. The guarantee is conditional on the lender following SBA program requirements. Just like with any other loan, you make your loan payments directly to your lender in accordance with your terms.

28 FUNDING PROGRAMS

SBAOur participating SBA Lenders Lenders serve all South Carolina unless otherwise noted. Contact the lender for more bank locations.

AIKEN 3901 Clemson Blvd. BOILING SPRINGS South Carolina Business Coastal Carolina (864) 261-3211 First Tennessee Federal Credit Union Development Corp. National Bank 3009 Whitehall Road 3090 Boiling scfederal.org of South Carolina 128 Laurens St. NW (864) 222-4038 Springs Road 3460 Shelby Ray Court Enoree Building (803) 644-9550 (864) 578-8600 (843) 545-8300 111 Executive Center myccnb.com firsttennessee.com 1945 Sam Rittenburg Drive, suite 225 BAMBERG Blvd. (843) 797-8300 First Community Bank (803) 798-4064 Enterprise Bank of 140 Bee St. business 407 Silver Bluff Road SW CAMDEN South Carolina (843) 797-8300 development.org (803) 293-2400 2727 Main Highway First Community Bank 1317 Folly Road Coastal Carolina firstcommunitysc.com (803) 245-5171 631 W. DeKalb St. (843) 797-8300 National Bank Regions Bank ebsc.bank (803) 432-7575 1219 Assembly St., (800) 734-4667 firstcommunitysc.com Southern First Bank regions.com 80 Calhoun St. suite 101 BARNWELL 107 Chesterfield St. S. (843) 725-5099 (803) 733-2582 Enterprise Bank of CAYCE myccnb.com 1799 Whiskey Road southernfirst.com South Carolina Southern First Bank First Community Bank Security Federal Bank 287 Main St. 190 Knox Abbott Drive 4404 Forest Drive securityfederal southernfirst.com CHERAW (803) 245-5171 (803) 790-0100 bank.com ebsc.bank First Bank 1705 Whiskey Road 901 Chesterfield firstcommunitysc.com Regions Bank (803) 644-2692 CHAPIN Highway First Tennessee Bank 1680 Jackson St. 2587 Whiskey Road First Community Bank (843) 537-7656 firsttennessee.com (803) 644-2692 (800) 734-4667 127 Amicks Ferry Road localfirstbank.com 1320 Main St., suite regions.com 100 Laurens St. (803) 345-5952 175 (803) 779-0411 (803) 644-2692 firstcommunitysc.com 1340 Sumter St. CHESNEE 1665 Richland Ave. BLACKSBURG (803) 779-0411 Entegra Bank (803) 644-2691 10134 Two Notch Road First National Bank CHARLESTON 110 S. Alabama Ave. (803) 779-6670 of Pennsylvania First Reliance Bank (864) 461-2287 4840 Forest Drive ANDERSON 207 W. Cherokee St. 26 Cumberland St. entegrabank.com (864) 839-2265 (803) 748-7799 Community First Bank (843) 789-1000 fnb-online.com 2007 E. Greenville St. firstreliance.com Grow Financial CLEARWATER (864) 224-0178 Heritage Trust Federal Credit Union Regions Bank c1stbank.com BLACKVILLE Federal Credit Union 163 Forum Drive 4385 Jefferson Davis (803) 705-3121 Countybank Enterprise Bank of 2030 Sam Rittenberg Highway growfinancial.org Blvd. 300 N. Main St. South Carolina (800) 734-4667 (864) 622-2695 227 Main St. (843) 832-7570 regions.com Regions Bank ecountybank.com (803) 284-2258 heritagetrust.org (800) 734-4667 Security Federal Bank regions.com ebsc.bank Pinnacle Bank Entegra Bank 4568 Jefferson Davis pnfp.com 1010 Gervais St. 602 N. Main St. Highway 134 Meeting St. 149 Columbiana Drive (864) 716-4115 BLYTHEWOOD (803) 593-7417 (843) 769-0999 entegrabank.com First Community Bank securityfederal Security Federal Bank 1503 Old Towne Road 1900 Assembly St. People’s Bank 201 Main St. bank.com (843) 852-6400 (803) 739-3940 peoplesbanksc.com (803) 726-6300 291 E. Bay St. securityfedera 1921 E. Greenville St. firstcommunitysc.com (843) 606-9166 COLUMBIA lbank.com (864) 222-2601 329 Folly Road Ameris Bank 3010 S. Main St. (843) 735-5360 1333 Main St. (864) 296-3480 802 Savannah Highway (803) 765-1600 (843) 571-6097 amerisbank.com

29 FUNDING PROGRAMS

South Carolina FLORENCE 1001 Jefferson Ave. First Tennessee Bank Security Federal Bank Federal Credit Union First Reliance Bank Ext. (843) 797-8300 3401 Pelham Road 1790 Dutch Fork Road scfederal.org firstreliance.com (864) 213-9109 (803) 569-2700 2350 Legrand Road 411 Second Loop Road GRANITEVILLE firsttennessee.com securityfederal (803) 738-8300 bank.com (843) 656-5000 Security Federal Bank Pinnacle Bank 4503 Forest Drive 2170 W. Palmetto St. 50 Canal St. pnfp.com (803) 738-8300 (843) 656-5000 (803) 663-1100 2415 Laurens Road JAMES ISLAND Southern First Bank South Carolina securityfederal (864) 234-5556 Heritage Trust 4018 Forest Drive Federal Credit Union bank.com 550 E. McBee Ave. Federal Credit Union (803) 509-6280 scfederal.org (864) 250-9800 766 Daniel Ellis Drive southernfirst.com 2321 Trade Court (843) GREENVILLE 3900 Pelham Road (843) 832-7570 United Community 519-8300 Aquesta Bank (864) 315-1041 heritagetrust.org Bank 1937 E. Palmetto St. 27 Cleveland St. Southern First Bank 1523 Huger St. (843) 519-8300 (843) 242-1555 southernfirst.com JOHNS ISLAND (803) 461-3801 aquesta.com 2125 Augusta St. Pinnacle Bank ucbi.com GAFFNEY Bank of Travelers Rest (864) 679-9480 2753 Maybank First National Bank bankoftravelers 100 Verdae Blvd., suite Highway CONWAY of Pennsylvania rest.com 100 (864) 679-9000 (843) 559-5029 Coastal Carolina 207 W. Cherokee St. 2021 N. Pleasantburg 1900 Woodruff Road pnfp.com National Bank (864) 839-2265 Drive (864) 244-4380 (864) 679-9300 fnb-online.com 1106 Third Ave. 201 Pelham Road JOHNSTON (864) 298-0040 (843) 488-2800 GREENWOOD Regions Bank 5101 Old Buncombe myccnb.com GARDEN CITY Countybank 400 Lee St. Road (864) 246-6702 Coastal Carolina 419 Main St. (800) 734-4667 DENMARK National Bank 6204 White Horse (864) 942-1569 regions.com Road (864) 295-0008 Enterprise Bank of 2961 Highway 17 S. ecountybank.com 1041 Verdae Blvd. South Carolina (843) 839-3066 (864) 720-1100 LEXINGTON 4668 Carolina Highway myccnb.com GREER 217-B E. Washington St. Ameris Bank (803) 793-5018 PNC Bank Pinnacle Bank 701 W. Main St. ebsc.bank (864) 282-2322 701 Gervais St. 530 W. Wade (803) 808-4220 (877) 287-2654 Coastal Carolina Hampton Blvd. amerisbank.com DILLON pnc.com National Bank (864) 801-1165 416 E. North St. pnfp.com First Reliance Bank First Bank 801 N. Lake Drive localfirstbank.com (864) 278-0600 GEORGETOWN Southern First Bank (803) 996-4900 101 W. Main St. myccnb.com South Carolina 309 The Parkway firstreliance.com (843) 841-7656 Federal Credit Union Community First Bank (864) 662-2000 Grow Financial 206 E. Monroe St. 1701 Highmarket St. 210 Brendan Way southernfirst.com Federal Credit Union (843) 841-9955 (843) 545-8300 (864) 775-3480 805 Highway 378 scfederal.org c1stbank.com HAMPTON (803) 705-3121 EASLEY Countybank Regions Bank growfinancial.org First Community Bank GOOSE CREEK 3431 Pelham Road 403 First St. E 1670 E. Main St. (864) Heritage Trust (864) 335-2450 (800) 734-4667 Security Federal Bank 5446 Sunset Blvd. 306-1444 Federal Credit Union ecountybank.com regions.com firstcommunitysc.com 201 St. James Ave. (803) 808-8180 Entegra Bank securityfederal (843) 832-7570 Pinnacle Bank 501 Roper Mountain HILTON HEAD bank.com 6602 Calhoun heritagetrust.org Road Pinnacle Bank Southern First Bank Memorial Highway Pinnacle Bank (864) 255-9035 1000 William Hilton 5346 Sunset Blvd. (864) 306-2540 597 Old Mount Holly entegrabank.com Parkway (803) 520-5380 pnfp.com Road, suite 200 (843) 842-3232 First Community Bank southernfirst.com pnfp.com (843) 553-0021 45 Farrs Bridge Road EHRHARDT pnfp.com (864) 294-9711 MARIETTA Enterprise Bank of South Carolina firstcommunitysc.com IRMO South Carolina Bank of Travelers Rest Federal Credit Union First Reliance Bank Ameris Bank 13497 Broxton 3211 Geer Highway scfederal.org 500 E. Washington St. 1200 Lake Murray Blvd. Bridge Road 82 Bridgetown Road (803) 749-5230 (864) 836-8187 (864) 672-1776 bankoftravelers (803) 267-3191 (843) 797-8300 firstreliance.com amerisbank.com ebsc.bank rest.com 30 FUNDING PROGRAMS

MAULDIN MURRELLS INLET Heritage Trust SIMPSONVILLE Heritage Trust Pinnacle Bank Aquesta Bank Federal Credit Union First Reliance Bank Federal Credit Union 787-H E. Butler Road 870 B Inlet Square heritagetrust.org 150 Highway 14 heritagetrust.org (864) 272-0825 Drive (843) 651-7111 8435 Dorchester Road (864) 688-1071 1905 Old Trolley Road pnfp.com aquesta.com (843) 832-7570 firstreliance.com (843) 832-7570 7550 Rivers Ave. 210 Marymeade Drive Pinnacle Bank (843) 832-7570 Regions Bank MONCKS CORNER (843) 832-7570 11975 Highway 17 2375 White Circle 2565 Woodruff Road Heritage Trust Bypass (843) 832-7570 (800) 734-4667 Pinnacle Bank Federal Credit Union (843) 979-5300 Pinnacle Bank regions.com 203 N. Main St. 206 E. Main St. pnfp.com 8420 Dorchester Road (843) 873-5330 (843) 832-7570 (843) 207-0300 pnfp.com heritagetrust.org SPARTANBURG MYRTLE BEACH pnfp.com Pinnacle Bank First Tennessee Bank Regions Bank Coastal Carolina South Carolina 337 E. Main St. firsttennessee.com 201 S. Main St. National Bank Federal Credit Union 215 N. Pine St. (864) (843) 899-7755 (800) 734-4667 1012 38th Ave. N. scfederal.org pnfp.com 948-9001 regions.com (843) 839-2265 6265 Rivers Ave. 2680 Reidville Road South Carolina myccnb.com (843) 797-8300 (864) 576-7220 South Carolina Federal Credit Union 1900 McMillan Ave. Federal Credit Union 456 N. Highway 52 First Reliance Bank (843) 797-8300 South Carolina scfederal.org (843) 797-8300 507 21st Ave. N. Federal Credit Union 1000 N Main St. scfederal.org (843) 492-2830 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH 930 Charisma Drive (864) 747-8300 firstreliance.com (864) 406-8300 9999 Dorchester Road Mount Pleasant Coastal Carolina scfederal.org (843) 797-8300 First Reliance Bank Pinnacle Bank National Bank 800 S. Shelmore Blvd. pnfp.com 1100 Highway 17 N. Pinnacle Bank Southern First Bank (843) 789-1000 3064 Dick Pond Road (843) 839-3055 531 E. Main St. 105 Front St. firstreliance.com (843) 294-6000 myccnb.com (864) 573-6347 (843) 285-7089 3751 Robert M. First Tennessee Bank Pinnacle Bank pnfp.com southernfirst.com firsttennessee.com Grissom Parkway 710 Highway 17 N. 28 Bridgeside Blvd., (843) 626-2265 (843) 663-2265 Regions Bank suite 100 (843) 972-6000 pnfp.com 235 S. Pine St. TAYLORS 651 Johnnie Dodds Sandhills Bank (800) 734-4667 Bank of Travelers Rest sandhillsbank.com Sandhills Bank Blvd. (843) 971-6977 sandhillsbank.com regions.com 6000 Wade 610 International Hampton Blvd. Heritage Trust 1020 Highway 17 N. Drive (843) 903-1903 (864) 879-7771 Federal Credit Union (843) 280-2265 SENECA 273 Carolina Forest bankoftravelers heritagetrust.org 4400 Highway 17 S. Blvd. (843) 903-3223 Community First Bank rest.com 847 Coleman Blvd. 4600 Highway 17 S. (843) 663-5600 c1stbank.com 1126 Park W. (843) 293-7595 449 Hwy 123 Bypass First Reliance Bank (843) 832-7570 RIDGEFIELD (864) 886-0206 2801-B Wade 1600 Sandifer Blvd. Southern First Bank NORTH AUGUSTA Enterprise Bank of Hampton Blvd. (864) 882-2575 (864) 451-5360 691 Johnnie Dodds Blvd. Security Federal Bank South Carolina firstreliance.com (843) 606-4300 315 E. Martintown Road 102 N. Main St. (843) 871-0225 southernfirst.com (803) 442-2104 SPRINGFIELD ebsc.bank Pinnacle Bank securityfederal Enterprise Bank of TEGA CAY pnfp.com bank.com South Carolina First National Bank 602 Coleman Blvd. RIDGELAND 7222 Festival Trail Road of Pennsylvania (843) 971-6542 NORTH CHARLESTON Regions Bank (803) 258-3211 207 W. Cherokee St. 3305 S. Morgans Point Aquesta Bank 11004 N. Jacob ebsc.bank (864) 839-2265 (843) 887-3832 4000 Faber Place Smart Blvd. fnd-online.com (800) 734-4667 South Carolina Drive, suite 300 regions.com SUMMERVILLE First Tennessee Bank Federal Credit Union (843) 242-1555 Grow Financial 1115 Stonecrest Blvd. scfederal.org aquesta.com Federal Credit Union (803) 548-6666 910 Houston RIDGE SPRING Grow Financial 1585 Central Ave. firsttennessee.com Northcutt Blvd. Security Federal Bank Federal Credit Union (843) 285-4424 (843) 797-8300 636 E. Main St. 9514 Dorchester Road growfinancial.org 1620 N. Highway 17 (803) 641-3000 (843) 285-4424 (843) 797-8300 securityfederal growfinancial.org bank.com 31 FUNDING PROGRAMS

Travelers Rest South Carolina Federal BBVA Compass Bank First Chatham Bank Bank of Travelers Rest Credit Union (800) 266-7277 (913) 629-2909 bankoftravelers 109 N. 12th St. bbvacompass.com firstchatham.com rest.com (803) 738-8300 Byline Bank First Citizens Bank 42 Plaza Drive scfederal.org (773) 244-7000 (866) 323-4732 (864) 834-9031 bylinebank.com firstcitizens.com 500 Roe Center Court (864) WESTMINSTER 834-9061 Cadence Bank First Financial Bank Community First Bank (800) 636-7622 (877) 322-9530 306 E. Windsor St. cadencebank.com bankatfirst.com WAGENER (864) 647-5487 Carolina Small Business First Home Bank Security Federal Bank c1stbank.com Development Fund (727) 685-2083 118 Main St. (704) 412-7031 firsthomebank.com (803) 564-5166 WILLIAMSTON carolinasmallbusiness.org securityfederal First IC Bank bank.com Community First Bank Celtic Bank (770) 451-7200 208 E. Main St. (800) 529-0612 firsticbank.com (864) 847-5109 celticbank.com Firstrust Savings Bank WALHALLA c1stbank.com Citizens Bank (800) 220-2265 Community First Bank (843) 657-2001 firstrust.com 3685 Blue Ridge Blvd. WILLISTON thecitizensbank.com (864) 638-2105 First Savings Bank c1stbank.com Enterprise Bank of City National Bank of (800) 555-6895 South Carolina New Jersey firstsavingsbank.bank 12960 Main St. (800) 966-8262 First Western SBLC WALTERBORO (803) 266-7474 citynatbank.com (877) 521-9191 Enterprise Bank of ebsc.bank CresCom Bank smallbusiness South Carolina (855) 273-7266 loans.co 776 Bells Highway STATEWIDE & OUT OF haveanicebank.com (843) 549-1120 Five Star Bank ebsc.bank STATE LENDERS Crestmark (877) 882-5782 1st Colonial (888) 999-6088 five-starbank.com Heritage Trust Federal Community Bank crestmark.com Credit Union Florida Capital Bank (856) 885-2042 Customers Bank (800) 318-3159 814 N. Jefferies Blvd. 1stcolonial.com (843) 832-7570 (407) 761-4114 floridacapitalbank.com Atlantic Capital heritagetrust.org customersbank.com Georgia Banking Co. (855) 693-7422 Embassy National Bank (770) 226-8800 atlanticcapital (800) 560-9883 geobanking.com WARRENVILLE bank.com embassynational Security Federal Bank Harvest Small Bancorp Bank bank.com Business Finance 2812 Augusta Road (800) 545-0289 Evolve Bank & Trust (949) 534-0240 (803) 593-7400 thebancorp.com securityfederalbank.com (866) 367-2611 harvestsbf.com Bank of America getevolved.com Iberia Bank (800) 432-1000 Fidelity Bank (888) 777-7145 WEST COLUMBIA bankofamerica.com (404) 248-5466 iberiabank.com First Community Bank Bank of George lionbank.com 506 Meeting St. Independence Bank (702) 851-4200 Fifth Third Bank (877) 621-1776 (803) 791-8810 bankofgeorge.com firstcommunitysc.com (866) 671-5353 independence-bank.com Bank of Hope 53.com First Reliance Bank Level One Bank (678) 380-0774 FinWise Bank (888) 880-5663 2805A Sunset Blvd. bankofhope.com (803) 936-4888 (801) 545-6020 levelonebank.com BankUnited finwisebank.com firstreliance.com LiftFund (877) 779-2265 First Bank Financial Centre (888) 215-2373 Security Federal Bank bankunited.com 1185 Sunset Blvd. (888) 569-9909 liftfund.com BB&T fbfcwi.com (803) 739-6100 Live Oak Banking Co. (888) 228-6654 securityfederalbank.com First Bank of the Lake (910) 790-5867 bbandt.com (573) 348-2265 liveoakbank.com firstbanklake.com

32 FUNDING PROGRAMS

Manufacturers & Spirit of Texas Certified Development Corp. Regions Traders Trust (877) 302-1836 Enoree Building (800) 734-4667 (800) 724-2440 sotb.com 111 Executive Center Drive, regions.com mtb.com State Bank & Trust suite 225 Synovus Bank Metro City Bank (800) 295-6920 Columbia (888) 796-6887 (888) 455-4686 statebt.com (803) 798-4064 synovus.com businessdevelopment.org metrocitybank.bank Stearns Bank TD Bank Millennial Bank (800) 320-2899 CSRA Business Lending (888) 751-9000 (205) 702-2265 stearnsbank.com 1237 Gadsden St., suite 200C, td.com Columbia millennialbank.com Synovus Bank WestTown Bank & Trust (706) 210-2010 Mint National Bank (800) 708-5687 csrabusinesslending.com (919) 861-8001 (281) 359-6468 synovus.com soundbanking.com Provident Business themint.bank TD Bank Financial Services Newtek Small (888) 751-9000 3937 Sunset Blvd., suite D Business Finance tdbank.com Small West Columbia (212) 356-9500 Touchmark National Bank (803) 791-0071 Business newtekone.com (770) 407-6700 providentbfs.com Investment NOA Bank touchmarknb.com (678) 385-0826 United Midwest Corporation noabank.com Savings Bank Participating Route 2 Capital Partners North State Bank (614) 225-9728 Microlenders 110 E. Court St., suite 501 (919) 855-9925 umwsb.com Greenville Beaufort County Black (864) 484-9370 northstatebank.com Wells Fargo Bank Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Pacific City Bank (800) 869-3557 Serving Allendale, Bamberg, route2capital.com (213) 210-2000 wellsfargo.com Barnwell, Beaufort, Charleston paccity.net West Town Bank & Trust Colleton, Jasper, and 200 Meeting St., suite 403 Pacific Premier Bank (855) 884-0744 Orangeburg counties (854) 529-9550 (888) 388-5433 westtownbank.com Beaufort ppbi.com (843) 986-1102 Quantum National Bank Community Works (888) 451-0530 Participating Greenville quantumbank.com Certified (864) 235-6331 Radius Bank Development communityworks (312) 767-2665 carolina.org radiusbank.com Companies Local Development Corp. ReadyCap Lending Appalachian Charleston (800) 713-4984 Development Corp. (843) 724-3796 readycaplending.com Greenville charlestonldc.com (864) 382-2350 Seacoast Bank adcloans.com (866) 710-5778 seacoastbank.com Business Expansion Small Business Funding Corp. Serving Chester, Chesterfield, Assistance Corp. Export (912) 232-4700 Lancaster, and York counties sbacsav.com (704) 414-3000 Assistance befcor.com South Coast Bank & Trust Lenders Carolina Business Capital (912) 264-8887 First National Bank (704) 372-1280 southcoastbank (800) 555-5455 cbc504.com andtrust.com fnb-online.com Catawba Regional South State Bank Home Trust Bank Development Corp. (800) 277-2175 (800) 627-1632 215 Hampton St. #200 southstatebank.com htb.com Rock Hill (803) 327-9041 catawbacog.org 33 FUNDING PROGRAMS Go Global with International Trade Businesses that export are more resilient—they are less dependent on any one market. Exporting also stabilizes sales for those who make seasonal products. COURTESY OF THE SBA COURTESY OF THE SBA

Expand your Market finalizing an export sale or contract, so adequate Interest rate: typically not to exceed prime Small businesses can enter and excel in the financing is in place by the time you win your + 6.5% international marketplace using State Trade contract. If you’ve been in business for at least Terms: up to 25 years for real estate, up to Expansion Program grants and training. a year, ask your area SBA regional finance 10 years for equipment, up to seven years Visit sba.gov/internationaltrade to find manager about the Export Working Capital for lines of credit out if your state is participating. program. The International Trade Loan program Guarantee: up to 90% You can: also helps exporters who have been adversely Approval time: 36 hours or less affected by foreign importing competition, • learn how to export helping you better compete globally. • participate in foreign trade missions and Max loan amount: $5 million trade shows Interest rate: for Export Working Capital, the Expert Advice on • obtain services to support foreign market rate is negotiated between borrower and lender. Exporting entry For the International Trade Loan, it also cannot Find an SBA professional in one of the exceed prime + 2.75% for loan amounts over • translate websites to attract foreign buyers 21 U.S. Export Assistance Centers, $50,000 and maturity of seven years or more • design international marketing products sba.gov/tools/local-assistance/ Terms: For Export Working Capital, typically or campaigns eac, located in most major metro one year, cannot exceed three years. For areas. The centers are also staffed by International Trade Loans, up to 25 years for Financing for International Growth the U.S. Department of Commerce real estate, up to 10 years for equipment Having trouble securing capital to meet your and, in some locations, the Export- Guarantee: up to 90% small business exporting needs? Use SBA Import Bank of the United States and international trade programs to cover short Export Express uses a streamlined process other public and private organiza- or long-term costs necessary to sell goods or that expedites the SBA guarantee—what tions. Visit your local Small Business services abroad. Loan proceeds can be used small businesses need most when preparing Development Center (see page 8) for for working capital to finance foreign sales or to export or ramping up international trade exporting assistance from profes- for fixed assets, helping you better compete on a fast timeline. sional business counselors. globally. You can apply for lines of credit prior to Max loan amount: $500,000

34 COURTESY OF THE SBA ◀

HOW THE SBA HELPED US SUCCEED Help with Trade Barriers Small businesses that qualify for the SBA State Trade Expansion Program use If you need assistance with grant proceeds to bolster their international market presence, which EarthQuaker international trade regulations, Devices has done in a seismic way. A manufacturer of guitar special effects the SBA can be your advocate in pedals in Akron, OH, EarthQuaker has built an international social media fanbase foreign markets. Call toll free (855) delivering content in seven languages, generating millions of website page views. 722-4877 or email your contact EarthQuaker owners Julie Robbins & Jamie Stillman developed their global information and trade issue to marketing strategy and multilingual promo materials with the SBA State Trade Expansion [email protected]. Program. The couple also received global marketing counseling and research assistance from the Ohio Small Business development Center Export Assistance Network. 35 FUNDING PROGRAMS R&D Opportunities for High Growth Startups Engaged in high-risk research and development? Compete for funding to develop your cutting-edge technology.

Do you work in one of these areas? »» advanced materials »» agTech »» artificial intelligence »» biomedical »» cybersecurity »» energy »» first response »» national security »» space exploration The Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs, also called America’s Seed Fund, provide more than $3.5 billion in early stage capital through a competitive awards process.

How it works Every year, participating federal agencies announce topical areas that address their R&D needs. Eligible businesses submit proposals to win either grants or contracts. There are three phases: »» The proof-of-concept stage typically lasts from 6-12 months, and ranges from $100,000-$225,000. »» The full R&D period lasts about 24 months and typically provides $600,000- $1.5 million. »» The commercialization stage is when you seek public or private funds for your venture. COURTESY OF THE SBA

◀ How your startup benefits

HOW THE SBA HELPED US SUCCEED The funding agency does not take an equity Killer Snails brings science out of the laboratory and into classrooms and living rooms position or ownership of your business. The with award-winning educational games, such as BioDive, Assassins of the Sea, and federal government also protects data rights and Biome Builder. The Brooklyn, NY-based business gained access to startup funding the ability to win sole-source phase III contracts. thanks to the Small Business Innovation Research program. Dr. Mandë Holford, left, Participating agencies: Jessica Ochoa Hendrix, right, and Dr. Lindsay Portnoy envisioned how venomous »» Department of Agriculture marine snail research could be used in extended reality and digital learning to engage students and meet educators’ needs. The business has raised more than $1.2 million to »» Department of Commerce support a team of full-time employees. Killer Snails’s tabletop, digital, augmented and virtual reality games have won national and international awards.

36 FUNDING PROGRAMS

›› National Institute of Standards and Technology ›› National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Investment Capital »» Department of Defense Looking for investors? For mature, profitable busi- nesses with sufficient cash flow to pay interest, a Small »» Department of Education Business Investment Company can help scale up your »» Department of Energy small business. »» Department of Health and Human Services »» Department of Homeland Security How an SBIC works Investment companies with financing expertise in »» Department of Transportation certain industry sectors receive SBA-guaranteed loans, »» Environmental Protection Agency which means the federal government is responsible in »» NASA case of default. These investment companies then use the SBA-guaranteed capital and private funds to invest » National Science Foundation » in qualifying small businesses. Each SBIC has its own Visit sbir.gov to find funding opportunities and helpful program investment profile in terms of targeted industry, geogra- tutorials, as well as past award winners, such as Qualcomm, phy, company maturity, the types and size of financing iRobot, Illumina, and Symantec. they provide.

SBIR Road Tour To be eligible Visit sbirroadtour.com to learn about national events The majority of your employees and assets must be within connecting entrepreneurs working on advanced tech to the the United States. Some ineligible small businesses and country’s largest source of early stage funding. Each SBIR Road activities include relenders, real estate, project financing, Tour stop introduces participating federal agency program and foreign investment. managers, who oversee over 5,000 new awards annually. Visit sba.gov and click on Funding Program and then Investment Capital.

37 FUNDING PROGRAMS DISASTER ASSISTANCE COURTESY OF THE SBA

How I Did It Smiling After the Storm With SBA assistance, Stephanie Vitori rebuilt her Miami Beach, FL restaurant after Hurricane Irma. written by Jess Walker beef cheeseburgers sizzle on the flat-top grill. f you ask Stephanie Vitori, the person who coined the term “bittersweet” Burgers are kept classic, no extra frills. “People must have run a business. In the 15 years Stephanie has owned feel at home,” Stephanie says. “You’re not just Cheeseburger Baby, the Florida burger joint has endured recessions, another table somebody has to serve.” Here, multiple hurricanes, and competition from corporate franchises. She has everybody feels like somebody, she says. So grown along with Cheeseburger Baby, changing with each stage of the many people love a good cheeseburger, which business lifecycle. is why all kinds of people are attracted to her IVitori worked as a delivery driver before purchasing the business in restaurant. Cheeseburger Baby’s handcrafted 2004. Since then, she’s expanded by purchasing two food trucks. She runs patties have been featured on the Food an open kitchen, which means customers can watch their 100% Angus Network and consumed by celebrities such as 38 DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDING PROGRAMS

What to do after a Disaster Declaration After a disaster is declared by the President Register with FEMA at disasterassistance.gov, or call (800) 621-3362, TTY 800-462-7585, or visit a Disaster Recovery Center. Locations can be found at fema.gov/drc. Businesses are automatically referred to the SBA. Most homeowners and renters will be referred by FEMA to the SBA to apply for disaster loan assistance. You must complete the SBA application to be considered for assistance. If the SBA cannot help you with a loan for all your needs, the SBA

COURTESY OF THE SBA will in most cases refer you back to FEMA. If you do not complete an SBA application, you may not be Jay-Z and Kanye West. Stephanie has met famous chefs “all through considered for assistance from other agencies. a cheeseburger.” But just as special to her is the Vietnamese couple who came in one day, speaking little English. They were eager to meet Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program Stephanie and show her a napkin with “Cheeseburger Baby” scrawled Businesses affected by a Presidential disaster on it. On the other side of the world, a friend had told them to come, declaration are eligible to receive expedited so they did. It all just goes to show you, Stephanie says, people come financing through an SBA Express lender. These together for a great cheeseburger. funds may be used for disaster-related purposes while the business waits for long-term financing Challenge through the SBA’s direct disaster loan program. Despite these sweet moments, there have also been bitter ones. Loan Amount: $25,000 Hurricane Irma struck in 2017, and Cheeseburger Baby lost equipment Terms: up to seven years and food supplies. Thirty percent of sales blew away with the wind. “It was a zombie zone in South Beach. People were scared to come since Guarantee: 50% they thought everything was destroyed,” Stephanie says. “It was the After a disaster is declared by the SBA roughest road I’ve ever traveled.” Businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters are eligible to apply Solution for an SBA disaster assistance An SBA disaster assistance loan aided Cheeseburger Baby’s recovery. loan. Visit a Business Recovery The SBA provides direct low-interest loans to businesses of all sizes, Center or Disaster Loan nonprofits, homeowners, and renters to repair damage or replace Outreach Center in your area or property not covered by insurance or other forms of assistance. visit disasterloan.sba.gov/ela to apply for a loan. SBA disaster assistance loans can also be used to rebuild stronger, You can also call the SBA customer service center protecting your home or business against future damage caused by a at (800) 659-2955, TTY (800) 877-8339, and ask for disaster. The SBA also introduced Stephanie to her local Small an application package. FEMA grant assistance for homeowners or renters is not available under an SBA declaration. When you're affected by a disaster the SBA, the Federal Information you need to get started: • address of damaged residence or business Emergency Management Agency, and other organizations and contact information work together to provide assistance. Once immediate safety and security needs are met, the SBA helps get you and your • insurance information, including type of community back to where you were before the disaster. Since insurance, policy numbers, and amount received low-interest SBA disaster assistance loans are government aid, creditworthiness and the ability to repay are taken into • household and/or business income consideration before a loan is awarded. • description of disaster-caused damage and losses

39 FUNDING PROGRAMS DISASTER ASSISTANCE

The SBA provides direct low-interest loans to Keep businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, in and renters to repair mind Since an SBA disaster or replace damaged assistance loan is a direct loan from the property not covered government, other

COURTESY OF THE SBA organizations may by insurance or other reduce or not award Business Development Center, which you a grant if you have provided assistance with financing forms of assistance. received an SBA loan options and marketing. She continues or other assistance for to meet with SBDC advisers every SBA disaster assistance your disaster loss. Be month to remain competitive in an sure to check with the ever-changing economy. loans can also be used organization offering During disasters, the responsibility assistance to see how falls on the owner’s shoulders. But to rebuild stronger, an SBA loan might one lesson Stephanie has learned is affect your eligibility for the value in reaching out to others protecting your home or their program. In gen- for assistance and counsel. While her eral, recovery expenses brick-and-mortar restaurant was being business against future covered by insurance, rebuilt, she sold from a food truck. FEMA or other forms of When the restaurant was operational assistance may reduce again, she advertised that with damage caused by a the amount provided spray paint on the plywood covering by your SBA disaster the broken windows. Stephanie disaster. For information assistance loan. and her wife, Gabrie Vitori, rebuilt Cheeseburger Baby by depending on visit sba.gov/disaster. each other and SBA assistance. See their story on YouTube by searching for the 2019 Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery. “You’ve got to have resiliency. You’ve got to swallow your pride sometimes,” Stephanie says. “But you also have to believe in your product.” Get Ready Benefit The Ready Business program, ready.gov/business, For Cheeseburger Baby, that product gives step-by-step guidance on how to prepare will continue satisfying the burger your business for a disaster. The series includes hankerings of locals, celebrities, and preparedness toolkits for earthquakes, hurricanes, tourists alike. Vitori sees expansion in her future—she’d like to have a brick- inland flooding, power outages, and severe winds/ and-mortar restaurant and food truck tornadoes. Spanish materials are available. in each growing town in South Florida. “My whole life is this. I’ve always felt a love for business ownership, ” Vitori says. “That drive keeps you going.”

40 DISASTER ASSISTANCE FUNDING PROGRAMS Getting Back to Business: Six essential preparedness steps for creating a continuity plan The financial and emotional cost of rebuilding a business after a disaster can be overwhelming. With a business continuity plan in place, you can recover more quickly.Your plan also puts you in a better position to contribute to the economic recovery of your community.

1 Establish a communications plan • Test your calling tree or communications list to reach employees to ensure they and their families are safe.

2 3 Protect your documents Review insurance coverage • Keep copies of vital business documents in a digital • Contact your insurance agent to find out if your coverage format or in an accessible, protected off-site location. is right for your business; make sure you understand the policy limits and deductibles. • Ask about business interruption insurance, which compensates you for lost income and covers operating expenses if your company has to temporarily shut down because of a disaster.

Establish a solid supply chain

• If your vendors and suppliers are local and the disaster is widespread, you will all be in the same situation— 4 struggling to recover. Put a disaster response plan in place to get key supplies from companies outside your area. Create a contact list of contractors and vendors you plan to use.

OPEN 5 6 Plan for an alternative location Practice your plan with your staff • Identify several places to relocate your operations in case Based on your location, assess your risk you must close your primary location for an extended time. for every type of emergency. • Consider creative options for available office space, including • Discuss as a group how your plan would be affected by sharing space and resources with other businesses. different types of disasters, such as an earthquake, tornado, • Allow employees to telecommute until your location reopens. flood, mudslight, or hurricane.

41 FUNDING PROGRAMS Surety Bonds SBA-backed surety bonds help small businesses succeed.

Eligible small businesses in the construction, supply, and service sectors better compete for contracting and subcontracting jobs using SBA-backed surety bonds.

How you benefit Surety bonds help small businesses receive the bonding assistance they need to win contracts by providing the customer with a guarantee the work will be completed.

How surety bonds work Many contracts require surety bonds, which are offered by surety companies. The SBA guarantee provides an incentive for surety companies to work with small businesses that would normally not be able to obtain the bond.

Is the program right for you? Small businesses that often come to the SBA for surety bonds: »» startups and firms in business less than three years

»» businesses with credit issues COURTESY OF AZTEC CONTRACTORS or internally prepared financial statements »» those who cannot secure bonding HOW THE SBA HELPED ME SUCCEED With SBA-backed surety bonds, Frank Spencer III has been able to better compete for through regular commercial commercial and government contracts. Aztec Contractors of El Paso, TX received the channels bonding support it needed to compete for construction contracts with the General »» subcontractors with a desire to Services Administration, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Mission and Installation establish their own bonding as a Contracting Command. Frank acquired Aztec in 2006 with no capital and only two prime contractor employees. Now he employs 25 full time and provides internship opportunities. Sales »» those wishing to increase their have grown to about $30 million annually. Aztec now qualifies for bonding in the current bonding limits standard surety market without SBA support.

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For all contracts and subcontracts up to $6.5 million, the SBA guarantees bid, payment, performance, and ancillary bonds issued by surety companies. For federal contracts up to $10 million, the SBA makes a guarantee if it’s in the best interest of the government.

The SBA reimburses surety companies in case of default 90% of losses sustained for veteran & service- disabled veteran, minority, 8(a), and HUBZone-certified small businesses; all projects up to $100,000 and 80% for all other small businesses.

Need a surety bond guarantee fast? For contracts under $400,000, the process is streamlined using the SBA’s QuickApp program. »» easy application »» no need to submit financials to the SBA »» online applications submitted to SBA authorized agents approved within hours

Ready to start? The SBA partners with 36 surety companies and hundreds of bonding agents. Find authorized agents at sba.gov/osg. Do you want to discuss the advantages of the SBA’s Surety Bond Guarantee program? Contact a bonding specialist:

Tamara E. Murray Kevin Valdes Jennifer C. Bledsoe Denver, CO Seattle, WA Washington, DC (303) 927-3479 (206) 553-7277 (202) 205-6153

43 FUNDING PROGRAMS Need Financing? Visit your local SBA office or lender to learn about these funding options. The 7(a) Loan, the SBA’s Largest Financing Program If you cannot get conventional financing and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can use a 7(a) loan to buy real estate, equipment, or inventory for your small business. It may also be used for working capital, to refinance business debt or purchase a small business. MAX LOAN AMOUNT: $5 million INTEREST RATE: generally prime + a reasonable rate capped at 2.75% TERMS: loan term varies according to the purpose of the loan, generally up to 25 years for real estate, 10 years for other fixed assets and working capital GUARANTEE: 50 to 90%

CAPLines Microloans Meet your revolving capital needs with lines of credit. CAPLines can Eligible businesses can startup and grow with working be used for contract financing, seasonal lines of credit, builders line capital or funds for supplies, equipment, furniture and fixtures. of credit, or for general working capital lines. Borrow from $500 to $50,000 and access free business counseling from microlenders. SBA Express Loan INTEREST RATE: loans less than $10,000, lender cost + 8.5%; loans Featuring a simplified process, these loans are delivered by $10,000 and greater, lender cost + 7.75% experienced lenders who are authorized to make the credit decision for the SBA. These can be term loans or revolving lines of credit. TERMS: lender negotiated, no early payoff penalty MAX LOAN AMOUNT: $350,000 504 Certified Development Company Loan INTEREST RATE: for loans less than $50,000, prime + 6.5%; for If you do not qualify for traditional financing, but would like to loans of $50,000 and greater, prime + 4.75% purchase or renovate real estate or buy heavy equipment for TERMS: loan term varies according to the purpose of the loan, your business, ask about the 504 loan. It provides competitive generally up to 25 years for real estate and 10 years for other fixed fixed-rate mortgage financing through a lender and a Certified assets and working capital Development Company. GUARANTEE: 50% MAX LOAN AMOUNT (UP TO 40% OF THE TOTAL PROJECT): up to $5 million; $5.5 million for manufacturing or energy public Community Advantage policy projects A financing program for women, veterans, low-income borrowers, and INTEREST RATE: below market fixed rates for 10, 20 or 25 year terms minority entrepreneurs just starting up or in business for a few years. TERMS: 20 or 25 years for real estate or long-term equipment, Receive free business counseling as you work with a community-based 10 years for general machinery and equipment financial institution. GUARANTEE: the lender provides a senior loan for 50% of the prime + 6% INTEREST RATE: project cost (with no SBA guarantee); the CDC finances up to 40% in TERMS: up to 25 years for real estate, 10 years for equipment and a junior lien position (supported by the SBA guarantee) working capital SPECIAL CONDITION: a minimum borrower contribution, or down GUARANTEE: 75 to 90% payment, is required, amounts vary by project but are usually 10% 44 CONTRACTING Doing Business with the Government

How I Did It COURTESY OF THE SBA Taking the Helm Jennifer Rahn steers Admiral Engineering and Manufacturing to success as a government subcontractor. written by Micaela Morrissette

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Tips for 5Success: Find a mentor. I had a great mentor in my company, and I reached for opportunity when it was in front of me.

Always move forward. The SBA has educational resources to improve your business know-how. To learn more about government contracting and SBA certification programs, call your local SBA district office or procurement center representative.

Compete smart. See if your company can use the SBA Subcontracting Network database, https://eweb1.sba.gov/ subnet/client/dsp_Landing.cfm. SubNet connects businesses with subcontractors & small businesses with contract opportunities. COURTESY OF THE SBA

Know your industry. ennifer Rahn was first said, laughing. I see everything; I have my hands in hired as an office assistant One of their largest clients, aero- everything. I don’t want to expand to at Phoenix, Arizona-based space and defense company L3 where I can’t do that anymore. Admiral Engineering and Technologies, nominated Admiral Manufacturing Co. Rising for the SBA Subcontractor of the to the top in a sector dominated by Year award. As a subcontractor for L3 Build a team. Jmen, Rahn’s career sounds a lot like Technologies, Rahn said she gets great Everybody feels like this is our work the classic American success story. She satisfaction from knowing soldiers family. My employees are as big a part got there with the help of a mentor and are able to communicate with their of my company as I am, so I make business growth earned as a federal leaders because of parts her company sure they know that. government subcontractor. has made. For 16 years, Rahn worked side-by- When Schlosser decided to retire, he side with then-owner David Schlosser, asked Rahn to purchase Admiral. major government contractors. She’s who became her mentor. Rahn says she “He did not want to sell to a corpo- grateful prime contractors have incen- learned “everything it takes to run a ration that would bring in their own tive to subcontract with small business, machine shop. I naturally just picked it people or end up foreclosing,” Rahn and that helps businesses like Admiral. up and wanted it.” says. “Then all your hard work is gone. Rahn has plans to grow, but not in The learning curve was steep— I agreed because it was everything I had the typical ways. She’s investing in Admiral specializes in complex spent my life working on, too.” replacing equipment, enhancing effi- machined parts for industries including In September 2017, she took over as ciency and productivity while leading aerospace and communications—and owner and president. Ownership tran- Admiral into new arenas like 3D print- Schlosser expected as much as he gave. sition poses a unique set of challenges. ing. Because of the stability provided “When I did something wrong, he told Rahn wanted to maintain relationships by being a government subcontractor, me, and I didn’t do that again,” Rahn with her existing clients, which include she’s able to do all of this.

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How to do business with the government 1 Identify your product or service number at naics.com.

Search the FedBizOpps database (fbo.gov) to see if any federal 2 agencies are looking for your product or service.

Attend an SBA district office workshop on contracting. Visitsba. 3 gov/localassistance to find your local office. Talk to a local Small Business Development Center counselor (see page 8) or visit a Procurement Technical Assistance Program 4 adviser. Find your closest center at aptac-us.org. 5 Obtain a free DUNS number at fedgov.dnb.com/webform.

Register with the System for Award Management 6 (sam.gov) to start doing business with the government. Are you eligible for SBA certification programs? Read more about the 8(a), woman-owned small business, and HUBZone programs. Find out if you are eligible and upload all required documents to 7 certify.sba.gov.

47 CONTRACTING SBA Certification Programs Your business could earn profit and gain valuable work experience by providing goods or services to the government.

Socially disadvantaged: those subjected HOW THE SBA HELPED to racial or ethnic prejudice or cultural bias ME SUCCEED without regard to their individual qualities September Myres knew that becoming a because of their identity as members government contractor would empower herself of certain groups. The following groups and other native peoples, while also growing often fit this status: Black Americans, her small business to the next level. She sought Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native business development assistance from the SBA, Hawaiians, Hispanic Americans, Asian qualifying for the SBA 8(a) Business Development Pacific Americans, and Subcontinent Asian Program, which helps small disadvantaged Americans. A person who is not a member businesses compete in the federal marketplace. of one of these groups must establish that This program helped September strategically it is more likely than not that he or she has grow her company to become a competitive force suffered social disadvantage. in the environmental services industry. Sundance Economically disadvantaged: those whose Consulting of Pocatello, ID has won contracts ability to compete in the marketplace has from the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. been impaired because they have not had Forest Service. She has continually secured as much capital and credit opportunities Department of Defense contracts to improve compared to others in the same or similar Native American lands adversely affected by past line of business. department activities. September often assists The benefits of the 8(a) program: Native American tribes and Alaska Native villages with developing projects and community plans. »» You are assigned an SBA professional to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and native help coordinate business development Hawaiians seeking entreprenurial development assistance. training can start, grow, and expand their »» You could be awarded an 8(a) sole-source business with the help of the SBA, sba.gov/ contract up to $4 million for goods and naa. The Office of Native American Affairs services, $7 million for manufacturing,

COURTESY OF THE SUNDANCE CONSULTING SUNDANCE THE OF COURTESY also consults with tribal governments prior to exceptions apply. finalizing SBA policies affecting tribes. 8(a) small business that can provide the needed services. This is an accelerated process saving time for both you and the Contracting certification programs are education, training workshops, and government agency or office. designed to help you better compete match-making opportunities with federal for and win federal contracts set aside buyers. Firms owned by Alaska Native All Small Mentor-Protege for small businesses. Visit sba.gov/ Corporations, Indian tribes, Native Program contracting to learn more about set- Hawaiian organizations, and Community Looking for an opportunity to partner with asides and whether one or more of these Development Corporations are also a more experienced firm for mentorship? government certification programs is right eligible for 8(a) business development That effort can be rewarded in the All for your business. To see if you are eligible assistance. Small Mentor-Protege Program, sba.gov/ and then certify as a woman-owned, To be eligible for the 8(a) program, your allsmallmpp. At the same time you’re gaining HUBZone, 8(a), or All Small business, visit small business must: invaluable direction and experience, you and . certify.sba.gov »» be owned and controlled by U.S. citizens your mentor can compete for government who are socially and/or economically contracts, further growing your business. 8(a) Business To qualify for this program: Development Program disadvantaged If you’re an entrepreneur who is socially »» demonstrate at least a two-year track »» Proteges must have a mentor prior to or economically disadvantaged, you record and have potential for continued applying for the program. Visit your local may be eligible to receive business success SBA office for guidance. Ask about the SBA’s training and government contracting Resource Partners and the Procurement »» have a net worth and adjusted gross assistance through the 8(a) Business Technical Assistance Program for help in income of less than $250,000 and assets Development Program, . connecting you with a mentor business. sba.gov/8a under $4 million It includes free business development 48 CONTRACTING

»» You must be certified as a small business within your NAICS industry classification (naics.com). Women-Owned Small Business »» Mentors and proteges must be organized for profit or as an agricultural Certification cooperative. If you're a woman proprietor looking to sell to the federal »» Mentors cannot own more than 40% government, you may be eligible for the Women-Owned Small equity in the protege’s business. Business certification,sba.gov/wosb . »» An SBA determination of affiliation must not exist between the mentor and the Here’s how to get certified: protege. All Small-approved partnerships receive an exclusion of affiliation for contracting purposes. 1. Make sure you’re eligible

HUBZone • Your business must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more Businesses located in Historically women who are U.S. citizens. The ownership must be direct and unconditional. Underutilized Business Zones, sba.gov/ • A woman must hold the highest officer position and have managerial experience hubzone, can gain special access to federal required to run the business. contracts. To qualify for the certification, your small business must: • One or more women must manage the daily business operations on a full-time basis and conduct long-term decision making and planning. »» be owned and controlled by U.S. citizens, a Community Development Corporation, To qualify as an economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business, your an agricultural cooperative, Indian tribal company must meet these criteria and the business owner and/or manager must government, Alaska Native Corporation, meet certain income and asset requirements. or a Native Hawaiian organization »» have a principal office located in a HUBZone, which includes Indian reservations and military facilities closed 2. Register by the Base Realignment and Closure Act. Enter your address in our interactive map, • Register with the System for Award Management (sam.gov) to start doing busi- maps.certify.sba.gov/hubzone/map, to ness with the government. see if you qualify. » have at least 35% of your employees » 3. Certify living in a HUBZone Self-certify as a woman-owned small business or an economically disadvantaged Service-Disabled woman-owned small business for free, or obtain certification from one of the SBA’s Veterans approved third-party certifiers (which costs a fee): If you’re a service-disabled veteran looking to enter the federal marketplace, you • El Paso Hispanic Chamber of Commerce may be eligible for this small business • National Women Business Owners Corporation certification. To determine your eligibility, • U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce contact a veterans business development officer at your local SBA office, or the SBA’s • Women’s Business Enterprise National Council Office of Veterans Business Development, All required documents must be uploaded to certify.sba.gov prior to submitting sba.gov/ovbd. After you have set up to do an offer on a contract set aside for the program. business with the government in sam.gov, update your status as a service-disabled veteran business. Keep in mind, the SBA 4. Update your status does not officially certify this designation, so when a contract awarded based on • Update your status as a woman-owned small business in sam.gov. this eligibility is protested, the SBA will determine if your business meets the eligibility status, ownership, and 5. Search the database control requirements. • Search the FedBizOpps database (fbo.gov) for your new business opportunity.

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An O’Fallon Casting Inc. employee at work in O’Fallon, MO. Owner Vince Gimeno grew his business thanks to Get Expert expert SBA business counseling. Contracting & Certification Help Federal contracting can be complex, but you don’t have to do it alone. A Procurement Technical Assistance Center adviser can help you determine if your business is ready for government contracting. An adviser can also help you register in the System for Award Management (sam. gov), and see if you’re eligible for any small business certifications and/or programs. One-on-one counseling is free or low cost. Visit sba.gov/ localassistance to find your local SBA office or an SBA Resource Partner near you (see page 8). Procurement Technical Assistance Centers Columbia 1225 Laurel St. (803) 777-7877 scsbdc.com/ptac.php North Charleston 6296 Rivers Ave., suite 300 (843) 740-6160 [email protected] charlestonsbdc.com

Regional/State Contracting Programs

Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification 1205 Pendleton St., suite 525 Columbia (803) 734-5010 oepp.sc.gov/osmba SC Department of Transportation Office of Business Development and Special Programs 955 Park St. Columbia scdot.org

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