Greenville City Economic Development Corporation

Whether it's lost income or full-on disaster recovery, many small businesses in #GreenvilleSC are facing the unexpected challenge brought by Hurricane Helene. That's why Isabel Casillas Guzman, administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and a U.S. Cabinet-level appointee, visited the city. She toured the Swamp Rabbit Cafe and Grocery and the SBA's Business Recovery Center, sharing specific resources with business owners. “SBA has a full suite of offerings to wrap around their businesses,” Guzman said. “SBA really is here to help businesses build resilience." Learn more about the visit and how the agency can help: https://heyor.ca/FofyyV

?? Free Legal Assistance for Hurricane Helene Victims ?? If you’ve been affected by Helene, the South Carolina Bar is offering free legal assistance through its Disaster Legal Assistance Hotline. Eligible individuals in affected counties will be connected with volunteer lawyers who can help with: ? Securing FEMA and other government benefits ? Insurance claims ? Replacing important legal documents ? Consumer protection issues ? Landlord-tenant disputes For assistance, call 803-799-6653 ext. 120 (toll-free) or (803) 576-3815. Leave a message, and a volunteer will reach out to help. Explore other resources available at our Disaster Assistance page: https://heyor.ca/gKcusK

The U.S. Small Business Administration has opened a Business Recovery Center at the Next Innovation Center in #GreenvilleSC for businesses of all sizes affected by Hurricane Helene. Greenville County Business Recovery Center Next Innovation Center 411 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601 Monday to Friday: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm Customer service representatives will be on-site to answer questions, assist business owners complete disaster loan applications, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but you can schedule an in-person appointment in advance: https://lnkd.in/e9-f__29

The business community in #GreenvilleSC is coming together to assist in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Support organizations from #StartupGVL met this week to share what resources are currently available to help area entrepreneurs and businesses. The online resource guide offers information that addresses immediate needs to long-term assistance ranging from complimentary workspace to direct links to federal assistance. These business-related resources can be found on our Disaster Assistance page ?? https://heyor.ca/gKcusK

Need a workspace? Greenville Chamber is assisting businesses impacted by Hurricane Helene. The Chamber is opening its office to members as a resource for those impacted by the storm. Here’s what they’re offering through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm: ?? Office Space: Use their facilities as your temporary workspace ?? Charging Stations: Keep your devices powered up ? Complimentary Hot Coffee: Enjoy a warm cup while you work. Reserve your space by emailing [email protected]. They’re here to support the business community as we recover from the storm. ??: DP3 Architects

?? Assistance Alert ?? Businesses impacted by Tropical Storm Helene may be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Small Business Administration. This includes physical disaster loans, economic injury disaster loans and home disaster loans. ?? Assistance is available to homeowners, renters, nonprofits and businesses of all sizes. Access SBA Disaster assistance ?? https://lnkd.in/gCiKXvT or call the SBA Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955.

GCEDC welcomed U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Region IV Administrator Allen Thomas to City Hall to discuss resources available to #GreenvilleSC businesses. While our Town Hall and Economic Development Forum was canceled due to power outages and storm damage, Allen was able to visit Methodical Coffee, a beneficiary of SBA services.

Skillionaire Games by skillsgapp just unlocked a major achievement. The Greenville-based startup is one of just 400 businesses awarded a $275,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Founded by Tina Zwolenski and Cynthia Jenkins in 2020, skillsgapp's mobile games help young people explore careers based on interests and aptitude. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ehCHZDkh

Providing traction for the #GreenvilleSC economy. Since bringing its North American headquarters here 50 years ago, Michelin has generated more than $266 billion in cumulative total economic impact according to the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business. Here's a snapshot of the impact report: 14,000 total jobs per year since 1975 $2 billion = Total annual labor income associated with Michelin’s activities 2.6 employment multiplier; for every 10 jobs Michelin creates, an additional 16 jobs are created elsewhere in the state, for a total of 26 jobs. Michelin celebrated at its corporate headquarters this week. The transition in leadership from outgoing president and CEO Alexis Garcon to his successor Matthew Cabe will begin October 1. Learn more about Michelin's impact in Greenville: https://heyor.ca/NkIsEL

#GreenvilleSC is using tech to grow our economy, enhance public safety, expand access to services, engage citizens and improve traffic management. "I think it’s vital that your citizenry and constituents have the ability to engage," says City Councilor and GCEDC board member John DeWorken. "There is a drive, a need for that, which you have to make sure you fill." Mayor Knox White, Councilor DeWorken and City Manager Shannon Lavrin were featured speakers at TD SYNNEX Public Sector Customer Academy. The four-day event brought nationwide vendors from the Greenville-based tech company to explore the city and learn about its successes. City officials were joined by leaders from County of Greenville and the Greenville Area Development Corporation (GADC) for panel discussions on tech in government and economic development: https://heyor.ca/IfDRvq Photos: City of Greenville and Mike Burton Photography