Every entrepreneur knows that starting a business and staying in business can be hard. Product development, securing funding, developing an effective marketing strategy, and everything else can be daunting, expensive, and time-consuming.
This is why we asked Matthew Golden, business liaison for the Town of Six Mile, SC, and local financial advisor serving the Upstate of South Carolina to curate a list of 19 resources that could become a game changer to the success of a business in the Upstate.
We hope these resources will benefit all our area business owners and those who are interested in starting a business locally.
Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce
Networking opportunities through various events, marketing and promotion through different channels, sponsorship opportunities, involvement in committees and working groups, Leadership Clemson program, and access to business services and discounts on a range of services, including group benefits for your business.
Greater Pickens Chamber of Commerce
Business startup and relocation assistance, chamber partner program, networking opportunities through various events, marketing, and promotion through different channels, sponsorship opportunities, involvement in committees and working groups, Leadership Pickens County program, and access to business services and discounts on a range of services, including group benefits for your business.
U.S. Small Business Administration
Robust learning platform, funding programs, federal contracting, export & trade assistance, local assistance via Clemson Region SBDC, Piedmont SCORE business mentoring, Veterans Business Outreach Center, Women’s Business Center, SC Association of Community Economic Development.
Clemson Region SC Small Business Development Center
Through free consulting, low-cost educational seminars, referrals to local resources and individuals, and links to resources including premium databases and business research engines, the SC SBDC helps jump-start startups and makes existing businesses thrive.
SC Business OneStop
Provides guidance to help you successfully plan, manage, and expand your business. Training and workshops, connection to state and federal resources and funding, compliance with local regulations, laws, and permits. Assists with registration, licensing, permits, employees, taxes, and credits.
SC Dept of Commerce
Negotiates business & tax incentives for large corporations down to entrepreneurs to promote innovation, infrastructure, and economic opportunities across the state. Database of infrastructure sites currently available for development.
SC Dept of Employment and Workforce
Workforce education, training, & development resources to help your business prepare for greater horizons and reduce costs to develop a skilled workforce.
Clemson University Research Foundation
Builds relationships with industry in an effort to encourage research at Clemson University and contribute meaningful and innovative discoveries to society. Secure intellectual property licenses from Clemson University to develop emerging technologies and connect with research partners interested in your industry. List of available technologies under R&D.
Piedmont SCORE.org
SCORE Mentors are experienced entrepreneurs & professionals who volunteer their experience & knowledge to help small business professionals start & grow businesses. We offer free, confidential business advice, low-cost or no-cost business training, and numerous business templates & tools. Dozens of local mentor volunteers & volunteering opportunities for you!
Alliance Pickens
Public/private economic development organization working with Pickens County government to attract, retain, and increase the number of jobs and increase the tax base in Pickens County. Data center, workforce skills development, a database of local infrastructure sites available for development, connection to local opportunity zones, negotiates tax incentives with Pickens County government for your business.
Upstate SC Alliance
Connects major investors with prospective companies, provides thought leadership and strategic network marketing, collaboration and connection with major businesses, confidential and customized site selection, supports international companies and business delegations, provides workforce statistics, data center, and career portal to participating major employers in the area.
Oconee Economic Alliance
Economic development arm of Oconee County, recruitment and retention of industry, workforce development campus, supports downtown revitalization and large-scale retail projects. Connects large investors with prospective businesses, opportunity zones, and databases of sites. Provides entrepreneurial resources, negotiates business investment taxes and incentives.
StartupGVL
Seminars & resources for startup businesses offers a unique ecosystem of over 60 entrepreneurial support organizations to assist and advise on every step of the startup process.
Ten at the Top
Forges partnerships among elected officials, business & community leaders, and residents by facilitating discussions around key regional issues, challenges, and opportunities. Coordinates Elevate Upstate Grants Initiative and other initiatives to promote community-based programs increasing quality of life in the area.
Opportunity Now – Rural Development Grants
Opportunity Zones were created by the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act of 2017 to incentivize long-term investments in low-income communities, including several in our area. The program has expanded through Rural Development Grants; a list of grant programs targeted to rural Opportunity Zones for economic development, workforce and education, and entrepreneurship.
https://opportunityzones.hud.gov/sites/opportunityzones.hud.gov/files/documents/WHORC_ Rural_Opportunity_Zone_Resources.pdf
SBA/Small Business Innovation Research Grant Program
“America’s Seed Fund” powered by US SBA; SBIR provides equity-free funding through federal agencies to American small businesses. List of current grant opportunities and initiatives for business development and innovation.
Community Foundation of Greater Clemson SC
Investing individual contributions to create endowed funds for long-term growth. A portion of this growth is available each year for grants to Clemson area nonprofit organizations and to support collaborative leadership activities to find solutions to community challenges. Consider naming the Community Foundation of Greater Clemson SC as beneficiary or partial beneficiary of your Will, life insurance, IRA, or other assets to support area nonprofits and to leave a meaningful legacy.
Synergy Mill
Innovative 501(c3) charitable organization providing the community with a springboard for small business startups, classes for workforce development, and capital equipment for inventors, artists, and crafters to use. Helps small businesses and startups save money on initial investment by providing equipment to use for new product prototype development & proof-of-concept, reducing barriers to entry.
Consolidated Planning
List of insightful and useful articles for business owners, investors, and savers to help you navigate the world of business and investing. Topics include business planning, tax management, cash flow planning, employee benefits & retention, business exit strategy, retirement planning, and more! Professional strategic business planning services and business valuation services.
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