The Kelley Center for Economic Development was awarded the United States Department of Agriculture  Rural Business Enterprise Grant in July 2022 and began in October 2022. The purpose of the grant serves three goals:

1) Establish a Regional Small Business Support Network

To develop a regional network of public service and community development individuals within Clarendon, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Lee, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg counties. The Regional Small Business Support Network will provide the opportunity to more fully share information for small businesses within their communities as well as network among each other Quarterly. A monthly email newsletter will be sent out to the network with small business related events, opportunities, and resources. 

Submit Individuals for the Regional Small Business Support Network

Quarterly Meetings Schedule

• 1st Quarter Network Support Meeting (Zoom): December 1, 2022 at 10 am
• 2nd Quarter Network Support Meeting (Zoom): March 14, 2023 at 10 am
• 3rd Quarter Network Support Meeting (Zoom/In-person TBD): May 2023
• 4th Quarter Network Support Meeting (Zoom/In-person TBD): August 2023

Email Newsletter 

The email newsletter aims to share time-sensitive events, opportunity, and resources with the Regional Small Business Support Network. Only Content from Government or Non-profit organizations will be included. Sponsored events not from a government or non-profit organization will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. 

Deadlines for Content in 2023:

• January content deadline – December 12, 2022
• February content deadline – January 12, 2023
• March content deadline – February 13, 2023
• April content deadline – March 13, 2023
• May content deadline – April 12, 2023
• June content deadline – May 12, 2023
• July content deadline – June 12, 2023
• August content deadline – July 12, 2023
• September content deadline – August 14, 2023

2) Comprehensive Resource Guide

The comprehensive resource guide will include commonly referenced small business resources such as the state and federal services and programs. However, there are many initiatives and services that have limited awareness. The guide will be easily indexed and will include a broad scope of various services and programs aimed at small businesses.  

3) Small Business Accounting and Tax Certificate

The certificate program will be a 15-hour course that will focus on practical and applicable skills and knowledge for small business owners to feel empowered and informed within the areas of accounting and tax. The ability to have depth of content but not an overwhelming time commitment is the reasoning behind the development of a short form program. 

Registration Period: August 2022 to September 2022
Certificate Program Timeline: October 3, 2022 to November 18, 2022
Number of Participants Enrolled: 31
Regional Location of Participants:

• Darlington County (5)
• Florence County (20)
• Williamsburg County (2)
• Dillon County (1)
• Neighboring Region (3)
• Other (2)