Small Business Resources

General Resources for Small Businesses

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce – As a small business investor of MBACC, you can enjoy complimentary membership in the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. 
• U.S. Small Business Administration – SBA works to ignite change and spark action so small businesses can confidently start, grow, expand or recover.
• Community Profiles From SC DEW – Site is updated monthly with relevant statistics for population, commuting, jobs, unemployment, etc. in South Carolina counties.
• South Carolina Business One Stop – The official South Carolina business web portal. SCBOSs help brand new as well as existing businesses, better understand the process of filing permits, licenses, registrations or paying taxes.
• Ten Steps to Start Your Business – Starting a business involves planning, making key financial decisions, and completing a series of legal activities.
• Business Planning & Financial Statements Template Gallery – Download easy-to-use business planning, finance, sales, marketing and management templates to help you plan for a new business or grow your existing business.

Local Resources for Business Development

Small Business Development Center
Coastal Carolina University
PO Box 261954 
Conway, SC 29528-6054

Grand Strand SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives)
Grand Strand Chapter 318
605 10th Ave. N.
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-918-1079

Myrtle Beach Regional Economic Development Corp.
2050 U.S. 501 East, Bldg. 900
Conway, SC 29526
843-347-4604 or 800-844-4983

Contracting

• City of Myrtle Beach Purchasing Division encourages participation from local, small, minority, veteran-owned, and women-owned businesses for city contracts. 
• Horry County Government Bid Opportunities – Join the South Carolina Purchasing Group to expand your business with local governments throughout South Carolina.
• South Carolina SBDC – South Carolina Small Business Development Centers help businesses find and compete for government contracts.
• South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification connects minority- and women-owned small businesses to state contracting and procurement opportunities. 
• South Carolina SBDC – South Carolina Small Business Development Centers help businesses find and compete for government contracts.
• 8(a) Business Development Program – Learn how SBA’s 8(a) Business Development Program helps small, disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace.
• Contracting Support for Woman-Owned Small Businesses – U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB) Federal Contracting Program sets aside federal contracts for women-owned small businesses in eligible industries. 
• Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC) – PTAP advisers located across the region provide no-cost, one-on-one technical assistance in all aspects of selling to federal, state and local governments. 
• U.S. Small Business Administration Contracting Guide – The federal government contracts with small businesses to buy products and services.

Certification is a review process designed to ensure that a small business is owned, controlled and operated by the applicants. Most certifications are granted for minority- or women-owned businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and underutilized businesses.  

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the largest certifier of women-owned businesses in the United States and a leading advocate for women business owners and entrepreneurs.
• Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Certification –  You may apply for and manage your Woman Owned Small Business, Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Small Business certifications in U.S. Small Business Administration’s  easy-to-use single system.
• Eligible minority- and woman-owned companies can apply for certification as a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
• Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Certification is a professional certification that documents a special capability or status that will help you compete in the marketplace. 
• South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Certification website helps minority-owned business looking to become certified.
• National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC) is the nation’s leading third-party authority for certification of veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and the corporations wanting to engage them.

• Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments Revolving Loan Fund & Grant Services is a low-interest loan program available to businesses and industries within the three-county area of the Waccamaw Region. 
• U.S. Small Business Administration Grants – If your small business is engaged in scientific research and development (R&D), you may qualify for federal grants.
• U.S Small Business Administration Loans – Start or expand your business with loans guaranteed by the Small Business Administration.
• Lender Match – Lender Match is a free online referral tool that connects small businesses with participating SBA-approved lenders.
• Grants.gov – Register with Grants.gov, search for federal grant opportunities, and begin the application process.
• USA Financing – Explore the variety of government-backed loans and funding programs for your business.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Office of Small & Disadvantaged Business Utilization has government programs, financing opportunities, and business tools for veterans.

There are plenty of compelling reasons to want the flexibility that working from home can offer. We have collected some of the best web-based home business resources, guides and directories to help today’s home-based entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses.

• Improve Your Online Presence for Your Home Business – If you want your business to thrive and grow in this digital era, you need to have a strong online presence, especially if you work from home.
• 16 Steps to Starting a Business While Working Full Time – Starting a business while maintaining a full-time job can be challenging. Learn what you need when setting up your first home office.
• Help – My Home-Based Business Is Being Audited! Now What? The IRS is going to audit your home-based business. Will the IRS disallow your home-office deduction? Read before you panic. 

Training

• Visit ChamberAcademy.com for free seminars aimed at helping you and your employees grow.
• Grand Strand SCORE Free Webinars – From finance and management to technology and marketing.
• Small Business Administration Free Webinars – From managing a business to process improvements.
• Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) serve America’s veterans and separating service members by preparing them for meaningful careers, providing employment resources and expertise, and protecting their employment rights.
• South Carolina Commission for the Blind provides assistance for training employees.

Meeting Space

Looking for a space to gather? Whether you need a small conference room or a grand ballroom, check out these investors who have meeting space available.

List updated March 2024. If you have meeting space and would like to be added to this list, please email Amanda.Bailey@VisitMyrtleBeach.com.