South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed a proclamation formally recognizing the third Wednesday in March as "SBDC Day" in the State of South Carolina. His proclamation commends the South Carolina Small Business Development Center’s (SC SBDC) commitment to advancing economic growth across the state by helping entrepreneurs grow success businesses.

Businesses have always celebrated ribbon cuttings, grand openings and company anniversaries, and for a second year they'll be able to celebrate the organization which helps them turn their dreams into reality: Small Business Development Centers. America's SBDC Day is March 21, 2018, a day that will unite nearly 1,000 SBDCs across the country and the hundreds of thousands of clients they've served in their 38-year history.

In 2017, the SC SBDC assisted 5,834 businesses which accounted for 136 business starts, 1,174 jobs created/retained, $28.2 million in new sales, and $58.9 million in capital investments.

“Here in South Carolina, small businesses represent 97 percent of the state’s employers,” said SC SBDC State Director Michele Abraham.  “By supporting their formation and growth, the SC SBDC plays a vital role in driving economic growth and reducing unemployment.”

Since 1980, 62 state and regional Small Business Development Center networks have provided free one-on-one consulting to small businesses at nearly 1,000 locations throughout the nation. Through their collective efforts, a new business is opened somewhere in the country every 30 minutes; a new job is created every 5.5 minutes; more than $100,000 new sales are generated every 8.2 minutes, and small businesses are able to obtain more than $100,000 in capital every 10 minutes.

"It's great to see SBDCs, their clients and supporters come together to celebrate SBDCs and their amazing clients. With SBDC support small businesses around the country raised over $5 billion in capital and created nearly 100,000 jobs," said Charles "Tee" Rowe, President & CEO of America's SBDC.

Small businesses, partners, and advocates are invited to help spread the word about SBDC Day using the hashtag #SBDCDay. On March 21, participants are encouraged to share how their local SBDC has created a difference in their life and community.

The South Carolina SBDC is conducting the following training events as part of our SBDC Day activities:

Tuesday, March 20, 2018:

Creating a Strategic Plan - Tools & Framework for a Successful Plan
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) 

Facebook is NOT a PR Strategy - Greenville

Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM (EDT) 

Intellectual Property Seminar - Conway Chamber

Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT) 

Negotiating in Business & Life

Time: 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM (EDT) 

 

Intellectual Property Seminar - Myrtle Beach Chamber

Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (EDT) 

 

Wednesday, March 21, 2018:

Time: 2 PM

To register visit:  https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5937210346044146690

Thursday, March 22, 2018:

Columbia - Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM (EDT) 
Registration Deadline: 3/21/2018 6:00 PM (EDT)
Fee: No Fee 

For a complete list of training events offered by the SC SBDC visit https://www.scsbdc.com/training-events