SBA to fund Women’s Business Center in S.C.

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The U.S. Small Business Administration has announced a $150,000 grant opportunity for a Women’s Business Center in South Carolina and is seeking a nonprofit host organization to provide business counseling, training and other resources to women entrepreneurs.

More than 100 SBA Women’s Business Centers throughout the country offer workshops and mentoring on business development topics including startup, access to capital and marketing. In 2017, the centers provided help to nearly 150,000 entrepreneurs, resulting in 17,000 new businesses.  

“The funding of a new Women's Business Center in South Carolina will expand women’s access to resources to help their businesses succeed,” SBA assistant administrator Kathy McShane said in a news release. “We know that when women get help in the early stages of forming their businesses, they are more likely to succeed. We are encouraging organizations to come forward to provide small business assistance for women entrepreneurs, who are an engine for economic growth.”

Eligible applicants must be private nonprofits with 501(c) tax-exempt status that serve South Carolina. To submit an application, visit www.grants.gov and type “OWBO” into the keyword search to access the grant announcement for South Carolina. Applications must be submitted by June 11.

For more information, email owbo@sba.gov. An information session will also be held on May 17 at the Columbia Chamber of Commerce.

“Women are an economic powerhouse to the South Carolina small business community, yet data shows there is still a gap in the resources women entrepreneurs receive,” SBA South Carolina district director Gregg White said. “Establishing a Women's Business Center in the state is one of the ways the SBA seeks to work with local partners to level the playing field for women-owned small businesses.”