STATE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

The Abilities Fund
Centerville Office
410 N 18th St
Centerville, IA 52544-1823
Telephone: 641-856-2173
Toll Free: 888-222-8943
Fax: 641-856-3101

Iowa City Office
332 South Linn Street, Suite #17
Iowa City, IA 52240
Telephone: 319-338-2521
Toll Free: 866-720-3863
Fax: 319-338-2528
URL: http://www.abilitiesfund.org/

"This summer The Abilities Fund, together with a national lending partner, will launch a nationwide direct loan program for entrepreneurs with disabilities. In 45 states, loan guarantees will also be available to as a means to secure loans for entrepreneurs. Flexible terms and competitive interest rates for microloans ranging from $500 - $25,000 will be offered.

In support of new microlending services, The Abilities Fund will be expanding its online presence to include training and technical assistance. Soon, people with disabilities nationwide will have 24-hour access to features such as Feasibility First ©, business plan development, and financial planning for business startup -- all of which are resources designed to prepare entrepreneurs with disabilities for self-employment."

Business Carolina Inc. (formerly Carolina Capital Investment Corp.)
1441 Main Street, Suite 900, Post Office Box 8327
Columbia, SC 29202
Toll-free: (800)756-4353
Phone: (803) 461-3801
URL: http://www.businesscarolina.net

Charleston Citywide Local Development Corporation
75 Calhoun Street, 3rd Floor, Charleston, SC 29401
Phone: (803) 724-3796
Fax: (843) 724-7354
URL: http://www.ci.charleston.sc.us/

"The Charleston Citywide Local Development Corporation (LDC) is a tax exempt, not-for-profit organization which was incorporated in the State of South Carolina in 1979. Originally, the organization served as a conduit for federal funds and provided packaging of SBA loans for the banks. Today, the purpose of the organization is to further economic development; to promote and assist the growth and development of business concerns .... to increase employment opportunities; to encourage creation and expansion of industry; to lessen the burdens of government; and to combat community deterioration. The organization carries out its purpose by providing loan programs for small businesses, revitalization programs for targeted areas of the city, and by providing intense technical assistance programs for its borrowers."

The Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center of South Carolina
State Directors Office
University of South Carolina
Moore School of Business
1705 College Street, Columbia, SC 29208
Phone: (803) 777-4907
Fax: (803) 777-4403
E-mail: sbdc@moore.sc.edu
URL: http://scsbdc.moore.sc.edu/

"Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration the Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) program was established to aid small business start-up ventures and to assist in the continued growth of small businesses across the country. The program is supported with federal, state and private funds and is open to any present or prospective small business owner generally fee free. Yearly, we see upwards of 3,500 entrepreneurs and current small business owners walk through the doors of our seventeen statewide offices. By providing a wide-array of services and resources, the SC SBDC does big things for small business in South Carolina!"

Governor's Office of Small And Minority Business Assistance
1205 Pendleton Street, Suite 329, Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: (803) 734-0657
Fax: (803) 734-2498
E-mail: gboland@govoepp.state.sc.us
URL: http://www.govoepp.state.sc.us/osmba/

"The Governor's Office of Small and Minority Business Assistance (OSMBA) was created by Executive Order in October 1979. Enabling legislation was passed and the program was placed into law as outlined in Article 21 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1981. The goals of OSMBA are to promote the growth and development of small and minority owned businesses in South Carolina and to advocate that an equitable portion of State procurement contracts be awarded to small and minority owned businesses."

Santee Lynches Regional Development Corporation
36 West Liberty, Post Office Drawer 1837, Sumter, SC 29151
Phone: (803) 775-7381
Fax: (803) 773-9903
E-mail: slrog@slcog.org
URL: http://www.slcog.state.sc.us/index.html

Serving Clarendon, Kershaw, Lee, and Sumter Counties of South Carolina.

Small Business Assistance Corporation
111 East Liberty Street, Suite 100, P. O. Box 10750, Savannah, GA 31412-0950
Phone: (912) 232-4700
Fax: (912) 232-0385
Toll Free: (888) 287-2137
E-mail: SBAC@SBACSAV.COM
URL: http://www.sbacsav.com/

"How do I know what loan is right for me? SBAC administers a variety of loan programs that address virtually all small business-financing needs. There are basically four types of SBA lending and equity investment programs available: the 7(A) Loan Guaranty Program, the 7(M) MicroLoan Program, the 504 Certified Development Company Loan Program and the Small Business Capital Fund. SBAC lending professionals will assist you in determining which program or combination of programs is best for you."

South Carolina Department of Commerce
1201 Main Street Suite 1600, Columbia, SC 29201-3200
Phone: (803) 737-0400
Fax: (803) 737-0418
URL: http://www.sccommerce.com/

• Grow Your Business
  URL: http://www.sccommerce.com/GrowYourBusiness.html
  
  
• Resource Guide for Business (2007) (PDF file; 92 pages)
  URL: http://www.sccommerce.com/UserFiles/File/Business%20Services/ResourceGuide[1].pdf

Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
Clemson University
165 Sirrine Hall, Clemson, SC 29634-1301
Phone (864) 656-7235
E-mail: priscif@clemson.edu
URL: http://business.clemson.edu/Spiro/index.shtml

"The mission of the Arthur M. Spiro Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is to support educational, research, and outreach programs that promote entrepreneurial activity and economic development of the region, state, and nation. The focus is on wealth creation through entrepreneurial activity."