Spartanburg County’s
Small & Minority Business
Development Initiative
Power Up Spartanburg is a movement to transform Spartanburg County into the #1 place in the U.S. to start, run, and grow a small or minority business.
An Initiative of:
Is Power Up Spartanburg Right for Me?
If you have an innovative idea, a passion project ready to take the next step, or a homegrown business you know can grow, Power Up Spartanburg is for you.
Open to small and minority businesses in Spartanburg County, Power Up has a host of offerings to help you take the next step, from access to knowledgeable mentors and subject matter experts, to assistance securing financial guidance, to help finding a storefront space.
Access to
Capital & Space
Connections to financial resources and physical space are key resources small and minority businesses need to establish a foundation of success.
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Power Up Funding made $10+ million in loans, and a pool of grant funding, available to small and minority businesses. For the first two years, 30% of these funds are reserved for minority-owned businesses.
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) will serve as fiduciary agents for these funding opportunities.
Launched
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Property owners and developers are being engaged to find and activate small-scale storefronts, and micro-office or micro-retail space in active downtowns across the county.
Technical
Support
Beyond capital and space, a host of resources are needed to start, sustain, and grow a small or minority business.
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Power Up Spartanburg will increase access to local small and minority business accelerators. Accelerators will be expanded to cover all parts of the county.
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Committed subject matter experts are accessible to guide small and minority business growth across Spartanburg County.
Launched
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Power Up Spartanburg is connecting small businesses to large employers, helping them become certified and creating the opportunity for transformational business growth.
Launched
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Spartanburg County is a sister community for the renowned MIT Venture Mentoring Service, recruiting mentors trained to assist small and minority business owners participating in Power Up Spartanburg.
Launched
Making New Connections
Connections are critical, so impactful events and knowledgeable community champions will be available for small and minority businesses to learn from.
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These events connect small and minority businesses to local experts, success stories, and networking sessions to grow the impact of the initiative's resources.
Launched
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A group of community captains are part of an extensive contact list, providing small and minority businesses the tips, contacts, and knowledge they need.
Launched
Digital Community & Resource Hub
Powered by Duke Energy, The Grid will empower small and minority business owners to make impactful connections, find critical information, and broaden their network. The Grid is designed to serve as a roadmap for starting, sustaining, growing, or exiting a small or minority business in Spartanburg.
Launched
Upcoming Events
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Business Bootcamp: Restaurants & Catering
Nov. 9
This bootcamp, in partnership with SCC, is designed to provide necessary feedback for business-owners or entrepreneurs in specific areas. Please note, any business hoping to participate needs to submit a rough-draft business plan 8 days prior to the bootcamp. A $50 registration fee is required, but will be refunded upon course completion.
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Doing Business with Clayton Construction
Wed., Nov. 13
11:30 AM-1 PMJoin us for an exclusive event featuring Todd Horne, President of Clayton Construction, as he shares valuable insights into how small and minority businesses can collaborate with his company and secure contracts. This session is an excellent opportunity for business owners looking to establish partnerships and expand their opportunities within the construction industry.
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Business Finance Basics
Thur., Nov. 14
9-10 AMThis interactive session, presented in partnership with Truist, will equip you with the essential knowledge to build, manage, and safeguard your small business in the long-term. The event will dive into business finance basics like managing cash flow, exploring strategies for business expansion, and insights into business insurance.
Looking for resources to grow your small or minority business, or hoping to take the next step for your big idea?
Implementation Partners
