Write a business plan
The Business Plan is the most vital part of starting a small business. It is the first thing a Loan Officer is going to want to see when you apply for a small business loan. For help writing a business plan contact the Small Business Development Center at Clemson University, by phone at 864-710-4717 or at www.clemson.edu/sbdc.
Check your credit score
Contact EQUIFAX at 1-800-685-1111. Copies of your credit report can be purchased for a small fee.
Contacts for financial assistance
The Appalachian Development Corporation is organized for the primary purpose of furthering the economic development and social welfare of the Counties of Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg, and their environs with specific emphasis on the area by promoting an assisting the growth and development of business concerns, including small business concerns in such area. The principal objectives of the Appalachian Development Corporation shall be to benefit the community by fostering increased employment opportunities and expansion of business and industry for the citizens of the stated area. Furthermore, the Appalachian Development Corporation will lend to any person, firm or corporation any of its funds.
Appalachian Council of Governments
P.O. Box 6668
Greenville, SC 29606-6668
(864) 242-9733
Obtain a loan application online:
www.scacog.org/rlf/application.html
The Rural Business Services (RBS) of USDA Rural Development makes its mission to enhance the quality of life for all rural Americans by providing leadership in building competitive businesses than can prosper in the global marketplace. To meet business credit needs in under-served areas, RBS Business Programs are usually leveraged with the resources of commercial or other private-sector lenders. Business Programs of RBS are listed below:
- Business and Industry Guarantee Loans
- Intermediary Relending Program Loans
- Rural Business Enterprise Grants
- Rural Economic Development Loans and Grants
- Rural Business Opportunity Grants
For information and/or an application package, contact:
USDA – Rural Development
Rural Business – Cooperative Services
Strom Thurmond Federal Building
Gregg White (Gregg.White@sc.usda.gov)
1835 Assembly Street, Room 1007
Columbia, SC 29201
803-765-5881
www.rurdev.usda.gov
or contact the Area 1 offices in Spartanburg
864-814-2471, ext.123
Small Business Administration
Offers a range of specialized programs that can directly and indirectly benefit small businesses. Contact SBA for more information.
Elliott O. Cooper (Elliot.Cooper@sba.gov)
www.sba.gov