New online service connects small business and entrepreneurs 24-7 for first time
February 29, 2012
COLUMBIA, SC – February 29, 2012 – Gov. Nikki Haley and the South Carolina Department of Commerce todaylaunched a new service called South Carolina Business Network at SCBizNetwork.com.The service provides resources to small businesses and entrepreneursinterested in turning their business concepts into reality.
The governor announced SCBizNetwork.com during a press conference at the warehouse of one of South Carolina’ssmall businesses – Columbia Tool and Die at 301 Old Barnwell Road inWest Columbia.
“We are constantly looking for ways to betterserve the small business community and unleash the job-creating power ofentrepreneurs. The South Carolina Business Network program grew out ofthat effort and we know it will be an asset to small businesses acrossthe state,” said Gov. Nikki Haley.
SCBizNetwork.com is a web hub of information and resources to help small business ownersand entrepreneurs grow or establish their companies. From new marketinformation and business financing options to workforce development andregulatory information, SCBizNetwork.com offers a variety of tools designed in response to feedback from small business owners and entrepreneurs from around the state.
Userswill find a calendar of relevant small business events, searchable byzip code, as well as a comprehensive question and answer section. SCBizNetwork.com also allows business owners and entrepreneurs to send a question thatwill yield a customized answer based on the type of question and wherethe business is located. Most importantly, users of the site will beable to access the information any time of day or night.
“We heard from entrepreneurs across the state out there looking for information beyond ‘9 to 5’. For the first time, SCBizNetwork.com will give those people a central location for that information anddirect them to the local organizations that can help,” said Secretary ofCommerce Bobby Hitt.
The Small Business Development Office at the S.C. Department of Commerce will maintain SCBizNetwork.com, which will also feature links to other Commerce programs such as BuySC.
TheBuySC program helps link suppliers of goods and services with potentialcustomers. Columbia Tool and Die presented to Boeing through BuySC andultimately qualified as a supplier of perishable tooling for Boeing’sfacility in South Carolina.
“I’m always out gathering as muchinformation as I can to help Columbia Tool and Die succeed. In the past,that has been pretty time-consuming. I’m looking forward to using thisnew program,” said Jake Brackett, general manager of Columbia Tool andDie. “South Carolina Commerce’s BuySC program was a key to us connectingwith Boeing, and eventually becoming one of their suppliers.”
“Thesuccess of small and diverse businesses is important to strengthen thelocal, regional and global economy,” said Ray Healy, productionengineering director for Boeing South Carolina. “Columbia Tool and Diewas part of the Boeing showcase in September 2011, which is a successfulcollaboration between Boeing, South Carolina Manufacturing ExtensionPartnership and the South Carolina Department of Commerce. Through thisprocess, qualifying small businesses have a great opportunity toshowcase their capabilities and establish a direct line of communicationwith Boeing.”
In addition to programs such as BuySC and the new SCBizNetwork, South Carolina Commerce offers specific services to small business on a daily basis, fromsupplier development and financing support to export assistance andrecycling industry counsel. The Small Business Development Office withinCommerce and the recently-formed Small Business Advisory Councilprovide leadership in small business support efforts. The council is acollaborative group including the U.S. Small Business Administration,the Small Business Development Center, the U.S. Department ofAgriculture, the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership,Michelin Development Corporation and the South Carolina Department ofCommerce.
Small businesses – businesses with fewer than 50employees – make up 95 percent of all private employers in SouthCarolina. More than 645,000 people in South Carolina work for smallbusinesses.
For more information about the South Carolina Business Network, please visit www.scbiznetwork.com.
