Press Release

Berkeley South Carolina Department Of Commerce Official Visits
Lowcountry To Address Small Businesses

(BERKELEY COUNTY, SC)  Chuck Bundy, CEcD, Small Business Ombudsman & Senior Manager, Business Solutions for the South Carolina Department of Commerce, plans to visit the Lowcountry on May 10th to speak at a Berkeley Chamber of Commerce briefing on “State and Local Resources for Small Business in Berkeley County”.  Bundy oversees South Carolina’s existing and small business outreach. Sandi Riddle, SCCED Economic Development Manager, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments (COG), will also address the audience. Every Berkeley County business represented should walk away with at least one resource to improve their profitability and sustainability.

“I will be speaking about state and local resources for Small Businesses in Berkeley County,” says Bundy, “the focus is on those resources which address issues critical to business success, such as business planning, finance, marketing, workforce development and professional development, regulations and operations.”

Riddle discussion focuses on the COG’s Small Business Loan Program. The COG makes funds available to assist any company creating new jobs, whether through establishment or expansion of an existing operation.  This locally controlled source of capital serves as ‘gap financing’ when a traditional lender cannot support all or part of a project.  Areas funded include real estate acquisition, machinery and equipment, and working capital.

The Berkeley Chamber of Commerce plans to research and publicize resources available to small and minority businesses in Berkeley County through the newly created Berkeley County Small and Minority Business Council. 

“We are continuing to take steps toward empowering the citizens of Berkeley County with the information and resources necessary to pursue small business ventures,” says Caldwell Pinckney, Jr., President of the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce.

The State and Local Resources for Small Business in Berkeley County briefing, sponsored by First Federal , takes place on Thursday, May 10th, 8:00am, at the Home Telephone Company conference room in Moncks Corner. The cost is $5.00 per person, breakfast will be provided. Please RSVP to the Berkeley Chamber at 761-8238 or 577-9549.