News Flash

In partnership with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and in honor of National Small Business Week, the city of Charleston Business & Neighborhood Services Division will host a “Meet the Lender” event on Monday, April 30, 2018 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Johnson Hagood Stadium (68 Hagood Avenue). The goal of the event is to assist “lender ready” entrepreneurs and businesses in connecting with an SBA lender and ultimately obtaining financing.

There will be 8 to 10 lenders present, holding prescheduled one-on-one appointments to allow business owners the opportunity to pitch their request to multiple lenders. Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and S.C. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will also be present to provide technical assistance to business owners in attendance. Attendees are encouraged to bring and distribute copies of their business plan and financial statements.

SBA Senior Area Manager William Furman said, “There is no better way to celebrate National Small Business Week than with an event that helps provide capital to small businesses. I am excited to work with the city of Charleston to host the matchmaker event, and I expect it to result in successful business loans being made.”

Mayor John Tecklenburg said, “Charleston’s small businesses make countless valuable contributions to the community, and this event allows us an opportunity to engage with them in the early stages of entrepreneurship and play a role in encouraging their future success.”

The event is free for both lenders and participants. Registration is mandatory, as no walk-ins will be accepted. To secure a spot, register before April 20^th by contacting Meg Thompson at thompsonm@charleston-sc.gov.

Those interested in preparing business plans can receive help at the following locations:

Charleston SC SCORE                                         Charleston Area Small Business Development Center

4045 Bridge View Drive, B151                           6296 Rivers Ave. Suite 300

North Charleston, SC 29405                             North Charleston, SC 29406

https://charlestonsc.score.org/                        https://www.scsbdc.com/

(843) 727-4778                                                     (843) 740-6160