Two Upcoming Workshops

Still puzzled trying to piece together your thoughts, ideas, plans, and requirements for your new or soon-to-be business? The Winthrop Regional Small Business Development Center in Rock Hill, SC is offering two workshops in the month ahead that may be of help.

Upcoming on October 19th is an all-day seminar that will be helpful no matter how far along you are in your business plans, and especially helpful if you've already opened the door on your new business: The FREE IRS Tax Workshop will be providing important tax information for new entrepreneurs as well as existing business owners. Speakers will include a CPA and representatives of the SC Employment Security and the SC Department of Revenue. The seminar will be held in the Thurmond Building (College of Business) at Winthrop University, Monday October 19th in Room 415 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you're in business, you shouldn't miss this ..... it's relevant for every business owner.

And if you are quite sure what kind of business you want to go into, but you're pretty sure that you don't want to start from the ground up on your own, you might be interested in looking at a franchise business as the way to go. "Why Franchising Is A Viable Option In Today’s Economy," a 2-hour workshop, will be held Monday, November 9th in Room 212 of the Thurmond Building (College of Business) at Winthrop University, 6-8 p.m. This free workshop will be facilitated by Doug Stout of The Entrepreneur's Source. Mr. Stout works with individuals who are looking for options that may include purchasing and running a franchise, "typically those who are

1) Interested in new challenges

2) Frustrated with their current job or career path

3) Unemployed due to downsizing, right sizing, or capsizing

4) Considering a career transition

5) Wanting to develop an alternative source of income

6) Interested in doing something they love

7) Looking to pursue their dream of self-employment

8) Sold their business and considering their options"

If becoming a franchise owner is something you'd like to know more about, this workshop is for you!

To register online for either of these workshops, please go to the registration page on our main web site.

We hope we'll see you there!

Winthrop Regional SBDC Director Named to Michelin Development Upstate Steering Committee

ROCK HILL, S.C. – Larry Stevens, regional director of the Small Business Development Center at Winthrop, was named this week to a Michelin Development Upstate Steering Committee for small business loans.

Michelin North America announced it has set aside $1 million for low-interest loans to help socially and economically disadvantaged businesses throughout the Upstate. Loans will be handled through a newly created Michelin Development Upstate office, located at the NEXT Innovation Center near downtown Greenville, in partnership with Carolina First.“Michelin is keenly aware of the impact that small- and medium-sized businesses have on creating quality jobs and improving our state’s economy,” said Dick Wilkerson, chairman and president of Michelin North America. “Michelin Development Upstate is designed to give these companies a boost that enables them to take the next step toward growth in a challenging economic environment.”

Carolina First will work with the Michelin Development Upstate Steering Committee, a group of Upstate business and civic leaders, to review loan applications for the program. Once an application has been approved by the Steering Committee, it will go to Carolina First for their normal financial due diligence. Loans will be available at $10,000 and up.

Stevens is one of eight members of the Steering Committee. Others are: John Tully, president, Michelin Development Company; Abe Swartz, vice president and commercial relationship manager, Carolina First; Rajeev Jindal, co-founder, Bunty, LLC; S.T. Peden, president, Minority Economic Development Institute, Inc.; Jill Burroughs, regional director for the Small Business Development Center at Clemson University; Jonathan Metcalf, business development, Carolina Minority Supplier Development Council; and Ramon Nieve-Lugo, marketing director, South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

The Michelin Development Office has already started work with the Steering Committee to identify clients to participate in the program. In addition to providing financial support, the program will also offer free access to Michelin’s extensive business expertise.

Stevens said the group will meet monthly to approve the loans, which can be used to purchase equipment, working capital and for other uses. “I expect a wide variety of businesses will probably be applying for the loans,” he added. “It has been difficult for many small businesses to get loans with the tight economy so this loan pool will offer significant help for our region.”To qualify for the program, companies must be based in one of the following Upstate counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union. Loans will have up to 5-year payment terms.

Applications for Michelin Development Upstate low-interest loans will be accepted online at http://www.michelindevelopment.us/. Once a business owner registers and receives a unique user login, they will be asked to complete an “Expression of Interest” form outlining business plans and strategies.

Quick Facts:

• Michelin North America announced it has set aside $1 million for low-interest loans for small businesses.
• Companies must be based in Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union counties.