After a successful close to the inaugural class, round two of the Business Builder Program will be launched this fall. Entrepreneurs who want to transform their ideas into established businesses face many challenges when turning their dreams into reality, not the least of which is financing. For those entrepreneurs who are facing difficulty obtaining traditional funding in creating or expanding an enterprise inside the City of Hartsville, a newly established program provides an opportunity for them to follow their dreams, including a chance to apply for up to $10,000 in low-interest loans.
The City of Hartsville’s Business Builder Program, an initiative made possible with funding from the Byerly Foundation, offers those seeking to expand existing business, as well as start-ups, a chance at obtaining their seed financing through an education, certification and application process. The opportunities will begin on Thursday, August 25, with information sessions taking place at the Butler Heritage Center Auditorium, found at 1103 S. Sixth St. in Hartsville. Sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and participation in one of these is mandatory for those who are interested in applying for the program. Those who attend should come prepared for a brief interview to pitch their business idea.
The program will include a 15 week Business Builder Certification class for business basics, to be held at Coker College. For those who complete this certification, the Business Builder Opportunity Loan Fund will give business developers a chance to apply for the low-interest loan.
For more information, or to obtain an application for the program, contact Brenda Kelley at 843.383.3009 or brenda.kelley@hartsvillesc.gov.