Business Support
Small Business Administration
Since 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration has been helping preserve free enterprise by aiding, counseling, assisting, and protecting the interests of small businesses to strengthen our nation's economy. When you're ready to grow your business, we'll contact the SBA to get the ball rolling.
SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership
The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SCMEP) is a private, non-profit group that operates under the US Department of Commerce to provide South Carolina businesses with a wide range of innovative strategies and solutions to improve their competitiveness, performance and profitability.
If you're looking for new ideas for giving your business the competitive edge, reach out to our staff to utilize this great resource.
SourceSC
SourceSC makes finding locally developed materials and service providers easy. This locator program connects South Carolina companies with some of the finest vendors in the world--all based right here in the Palmetto State.
We can help set you up with SourceSC to lower your operation and freight cost, reduce supplier delivery times, and improve business relations.
North Eastern Strategic Alliance
The North Easter Strategic Alliance (NESA) is a non-profit economic development organization that serves nine counties in the north eastern region of South Carolina. NESA's sole objective is to create jobs in the region by providing research assistance to the existing industry base and recruiting new companies.
We can help gather labor market information, wage or demographic data, or facilitate special research for a project by contacting NESA on your behalf.
Recycling
The South Carolina Department of Commerce has several programs available to help businesses improve recycling processes and avoid disposal costs. We will put you in touch with the correct contacts to help streamline your recycling process and get assistance on hard-to-recycle items.
Workforce Assistance
Florence Darlington Technical College
If you're looking for specialized talent or workforce training, let us connect you with the right people at Florence Darlington Technical College, a 2-year technical college with an enrollment of over 5,500 students.
FDTC provides a student-centered learning experience through technical education, workforce development training, and economic development activities in Accounting, Automotive Technology, Civil Engineering Technology, Diesel and Heavy Equipment, Industrial Maintenance, Machine Tool Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Assembly, and Welding.
Apprenticeship Carolina
A division of the South Carolina Technical College System, Apprenticeship Carolina provides South Carolina businesses a complimentary consultant that will guide them through the process of creating a demand-driven registered apprenticeship program, from initial information to full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System.
When you're in need of fresh new talent, we'll work with Apprenticeship Carolina to find the apprentices you need.
Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing & Technology
We'll help you learn more about workforce training and rapid prototyping by connecting you with the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiTM), an advanced manufacturing center that provides training and manufacturing technology solutions to ensure the area's industry is supported by a highly qualified workforce.
The Continuum
Created through a partnership between Francis Marion University, Florence-Darlington Technical College, and The Darla Moore Foundation, The Continuum focuses on education and workforce development by offering dual-credit courses to local high school students to advance the mastery of technical skills.
Investing in future talent is key in business longevity, which is why we are happy to refer those looking to influence curricula for a new generation of workers to the appropriate contacts at The Continuum.
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University is a four-year liberal arts university that supports the region by offering over 60 undergraduate and graduate programs, including industrial engineering and business.
We work closely with Francis Marion University to ensure you are connected to their talented pool of graduates.
readySC
As one of the oldest workforce training programs in the United States, readySC™ has the experience and expertise to tailor learning to specific company needs.
Allow us to introduce you to the correct contacts at readySC™ to see if they can help your workforce be trained and ready from day 1 on the job.
SC Works
SC Works is a statewide career center system that provides employment services to thousands of South Carolina job seekers every year while acting as a recruiter for businesses, along with delivering a variety of workforce training and incentive programs.
If you need assistance finding quality employees, we can help you coordinate with SC Works to meet your needs.
Tallo
Often described as LinkedIn for high school students, Tallo allows corporations to discover their future workforce by digitally connecting with a new generation of talent.
If you're interested in recruiting from this pool of potential, allow us to put us in touch with a Tallo team member to learn more.
SC Future Makers
Among many other things, SC Future Makers engages South Carolina's manufacturing and technology communities with students as young as middle school age, demonstrating to children and their parents the endless career opportunities available and pathways that will earn them a future in these fields.
Learn how your future employees are being trained to join the manufacturing industry and get involved by having us connect you with SC Future Makers.
SC Department of Employment & Workforce
Though they are responsible for paying unemployment benefits, collecting unemployment taxes, and collecting and disseminating state and federal employment statistics, the main goal of the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce is to match job seekers with employers quickly, efficiently, and effectively.
We can help you meet your workforce needs by facilitating a connection with SC DEW.
Expansion Resources
SC Department of Commerce
The South Carolina Department of Commerce promotes economic opportunity by assisting with new site locations and buildings, as well as offering grants for community development and infrastructure improvement to help new and existing businesses grow.
With offices in Europe and Asia, SC Commerce has extended its global reach to become a national leader in foreign direct investment, helping existing companies develop export markets.
As they maintain the Palmetto Railways, the SC Coordinating Council for Economic Development, and the SC Coordinating Council for Workforce Development, SC Commerce is a critical contact for all of your state needs--one that we are happy to connect you with.
SC Research Authority/SC Launch
Chartered by the state of South Carolina in 1983, South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) is a public, non-profit corporation that fuels South Carolina's innovative economy.
Established in 2006, SC Launch, Inc. is an independent, non-profit corporation affiliated with SCRA, which provides loans and investments to South Carolina-based companies participating in their SC Launch Program.
Find out if the SC Launch Program could be beneficial to your company by allowing us to put you in contact with a representative.
Economic Development Administration
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) plays a critical role in facilitating regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation by financially assisting infrastructure-related expansion efforts.
If your organization would benefit from a road, water, or sewer upgrade, contact us to discuss the possibility of applying for an EDA grant to get the project started.
SC Jobs - Economic Development Authority
For over 35 years, JEDA has promoted South Carolina's economic welfare by assisting in financing public and private projects throughout the state by serving as a statewide conduit issuer of special obligation revenue bonds and acts on behalf of borrowers to access financial markets and capital.
Since 1983, JEDA has facilitated the issuance of 531 bonds for over $10.9 billion, resulting in the creation and retention of more than 249,147 jobs in the Palmetto State.
If you're in need of help financing a project, allow us to put you in contact with the right people at SC JEDA.
Logistics
CSX
As one of the nation's leading transportation services, CSX Corporation provides rail-based transportation services including traditional rail service and the transport of intermodal containers and trailers.
Florence County is home to CSX's Regional Headquarters, as well as their largest rail yard in South Carolina.
When you need your product to go places, give us a call so we can put you in contact with the right people to expedite the process.
SC Ports Authority
Promoting, developing, and facilitating South Carolina's waterborne commerce, the South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) is dedicated to meeting customer needs for the economic benefit of the citizens and businesses of South Carolina.
Allow us to connect you with our contacts at SCPA to take advantage of our close proximity to the Port of Charleston and Inland Port Dillon.