Business Resources
Choose from the categories below to learn more about programs and services available to you and your business:
- Local Business Resources
- Statewide and Regional Resources
- Education and Workforce Training
- Recycling Market Development
Local Business Resources
Florence County Economic Development Partnership
The Florence County Economic Development Partnership is a public-private partnership that works to maintain a business climate conducive to capital investment and profitability. The partnership was conceived by Florence County Council and private business organization, Florence County Progress, Inc. This alliance is exemplified through a 25-member Partnership Board with members appointed by County Council and elected by members of Florence County Progress.
Florence County Progress Inc. (Progress)
The private-sector arm of the Florence County Economic Development Partnership, Progress provides private-sector support and leadership to the county's publicly-funded economic development program. The not-for-profit corporation is made up of more than 260 members, ranging from multi-national corporations to retired business executives. Programs include outreach marketing efforts, existing business and industry services and economic development ally relations. Thanks to Progress, the Partnership enjoys the highest level of private-sector funding per capita of any local economic development organization in South Carolina.
Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce
An 800-member organization, the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce promotes and networks businesses in the Pee Dee Region.
Florence County Government
The official website of Florence County government provides information about county departments and services, as well as general information about the area.
City of Florence
The official website of the city of Florence offers information about city resources and services, as well as links to community departments.
Statewide and Regional Resources
South Carolina Department of Commerce
As South Carolina’s leading economic development agency, the Department of Commerce works to recruit new businesses and help existing businesses grow. The agency is a national front-runner in direct foreign investment, and has global reach with offices in Europe, Canada and Asia that recruit foreign investment to South Carolina and assist existing companies in developing export markets. In addition, The Department of Commerce offers grants for community development and infrastructure improvements, and provides tools to enhance workforce skills.
North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA)
The North Eastern Strategic Alliance (NESA) is an economic development organization that serves a nine-county region in the northeast corner of South Carolina. NESA works to create jobs and capital investment within the existing industry base, as well as recruit new companies to the area. Focusing on transportation and other infrastructure critical to the accelerated economic growth of the region, NESA's key initiatives include the development of Interstate 73, a regional international airport, an international trade and convention center and a power generation facility.
Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA)
JEDA promotes business development in South Carolina through loans, investments and the promotion of exportation. JEDA's efforts are aimed at creating and retaining jobs in small- and middle-market business sectors.
New Carolina
New Carolina, also known as South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness, is a public-private partnership working to increase per capita income in South Carolina. Through strong partnerships with organizations around the state, New Carolina focuses on building industry clusters that will increase efficiency and innovation within that industry, while boosting the overall economy in the state.
Palmetto Economic Development Corp.
Created by representatives from Santee Cooper and the electric cooperatives of South Carolina in 1988, the Palmetto Economic Development Corporation, now the South Carolina Power Team, locates, expands and retains business in its service areas. The alliance also contribute funds to business expansion or relocation projects, and has provided more than $7 million in incentives to date.
South Carolina Business One Stop Online Services (SCBOS)
SCBOS provides business owners with a wealth of online information. Users can also access the website to file permits, licenses, registrations, or taxes with the state.
FastTracSC®
The nationally recognized FastTracSC programs includes practical, hands-on business development programs and workshops for existing business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs. The program provides entrepreneurs with business insights, leadership skills and professional networking opportunities.
Kuder Connect 2 Business (C2B)
Kuder Connect 2 Business (C2B) allows businesses to promote extended learning opportunities, post job openings, and generate company awareness.
Education and Workforce Training
ReadySC™
As an integral part of the SC Technical College System, The Center for Accelerated Technology Training and its ReadySC program work together with the 16 Technical Colleges to provide businesses with workforce training. Programs and services are funded through state tax dollars at minimal or no cost to the qualifying company, and include workforce recruiting and testing, curriculum and materials development, customized training and project management.
The Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT)
SiMT is the premiere technical service provider and training facility for industry in the southeastern portion of the United States. It’s state of the art facilities are located on a 146-acre campus in Florence, SC. SiMT provides engineering/CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping, and 3D/virtual reality services as well as leading edge manufacturing workforce development and business process training.
Florence-Darlington Technical College
Acknowledged as the fastest growing institution of higher education in South Carolina during the late 1990s, FDTC offers quality education in more than 60 fields of study. Special programs and services located at the main campus include: the ESAB School of Welding and Cutting, a part of ESAB University,
the Advanced Welding and Cutting Center, the Caterpillar Dealer Academy, and a CISCO Systems Training Laboratory.
Francis Marion University
Francis Marion University has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report Magazine as one of the South’s top 100 master’s level universities for 2006. The magazine also ranked FMU as having one of the most diverse student bodies among regional universities in the South. The School of Business is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and was named by the Princeton Review as one of the "Best 237 Business Schools."
Pee Dee Regional Education Center
Regional Economic Centers offer a network of service providers from across the region—all collaborating to help connect the local education and business communities. The Pee Dee Regional Education Center includes County One-Stop Shops, Pee Dee Workforce Investment Boards, Northeastern Tech Prep Consortia, and the Pee Dee Regional Instructional Technology Center. The six counties served in the Pee Dee Region include the areas of Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, & Marlboro.
Recycling Market Development
South Carolina boasts a strong and diverse recycling industry, with more than 300 companies, 37,000 employees and an economic impact on the state of $6.5 billion. A few of the state's recycling initiatives include:
Smart Business Recycling Program provides free, non-regulatory technical assistance on recycling, waste reduction and resource conservation, as well as other services, to help businesses improve their bottom line.
Recycling Cluster is an initiative that brings together recycling businesses with companies that use recycled materials in their manufacturing process. New Carolina, South Carolina’s Council on Competitiveness, is the steering group for the cluster and Sonoco Products, a global packaging company, is the anchor company.
Recycling Resources and links are available on the Department of Commerce's website; click here to access the information.
