Welcome! The University of South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) operates in conjunction with the Frank L. Roddey Small Business Development Center to aid in the growth of existing small businesses and start-up ventures.  The goal is to meet small business needs for managerial and technical assistance at little or no cost to the existing business or entrepreneur.   This goal is accomplished through one-to-one consulting services and technical assistance, continuing education programs, and resource referral. 

Under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, the Small Business Development Center program was established to aid small business start-up ventures and assist in the continued growth of small businesses across the country. The program is supported with federal, state, and private funds, and is open to any present or prospective small business owner, generally fee-free.

The University of South Carolina region's Small Business Development Center serves 13 counties: Aiken, Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Clarendon, Dorchester, Fairfield, Jasper, Kershaw, Lexington, Richland, Newberry, and Sumter.  Offices are located on the campuses of the University of South Carolina at Aiken, Beaufort, Columbia and Hilton Head.  An additional office is located in North Charleston.

Each year, nearly 3,000 entrepreneurs and current small business owners walk through the doors of 15 Small Business Development Center offices in South Carolina.  

 "Our advocacy, partnership programs, and other small business activities have contributed significantly to economic growth in South Carolina," says  Martin Goodman, Director USC Small Business Development Center.  By providing a wide array of services and resources, the Small Business Development Center does big things for small business in South Carolina.

"SBDCs are a program supported by the U.S. Small Business Administration and extended to the public on a non-discriminatory basis.  SBA cannot endorse any products, opinions or services of any external parties or activities."