Beaufort area SBDC is named State and Southeast Regional SBDC of the Year
April 24, 2019
The Small Business Administration (SBA) has named the Beaufort Area Small Business Development Center the 2019 State and Southeast Regional SBDC Center of Excellence and Innovation as announced by SBA South Carolina District Director Gregg White. The award will be presented during ceremonies honoring National Small Business Week to be held May 1 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. The event will be hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration-South Carolina District Office, South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, SCORE, South Carolina Research Authority, South Carolina Department of Commerce, and the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers.
“Our goal is to honor and recognize our winners for their hard work and dedication to advancing the small business community,” White said. “Most importantly, we appreciate the jobs and opportunities they continue to create for the South Carolina economy. We also value our lenders who provide the funding that is necessary for businesses to start, grow and expand.”
“I am very honored to have been selected for this award,” said Martin Goodman, manager of the Beaufort Area SBDC. “The award reflects the significance of the SBDC program in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, especially in the Beaufort area. While the award goes to the Beaufort Canter the real winners are the successful small business owners that I have been fortunate to assist and work with over the years.”
In 2018, this one-person center assisted 112 clients in the creation of 12 new businesses, the acquisition of $7.25 million in capital formation and the creation or retention of 81 jobs. He also conducted training workshops for 71 people.
“The Beaufort Area SBDC won not only the state award, but also the Southeast regional award, which represents nine states. Martin and his center are the go-to provider for small to mid-sized businesses in Beaufort and Jasper counties; and they are highly respected for the important work they do in advancing the local economy,” said SC SBDC state director Michele Abraham. “These distinctions attest to the fact that the SC SBDC network is fully committed to its mission of advancing the state’s economic development by helping entrepreneurs grow successful businesses,” she added.
About the Beaufort Area Small Business Development Center
The Beaufort Area Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is locally hosted by the University of South Carolina Beaufort and covers Beaufort and Jasper counties. The center works in partnership with the University of South Carolina and is a part of the USC Region which also includes the Aiken Area SBDC, Charleston Area SBDC, Columbia Area SBDC, Florence Area SBDC, Hilton Head Area SBDC, Newberry Area SBDC, North Charleston Area SBDC and the Sumter Area SBDC.
About the South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC)
Twenty-one South Carolina Small Business Development Centers (SC SBDC) located throughout the state’s 46 counties offer pro bono individual, confidential business consulting. Highly-trained consultants assist both existing and startup companies by providing a variety of services including business plan development, fiscal and operations management, human resources, financing options, marketing strategies and much more. In addition to conducting a variety of free or low-cost education workshops, SBDC centers refer clients to useful business resources. Specialized services include government contracting, exporting, technology commercialization, veterans’ business assistance and minority outreach.
Visit SCSBDC.com to find a center and make an appointment. Follow us at facebook.com/SCSBDC & @SCSBDC.
