As the population of South Carolina grows, the need to provide management and technical assistance to small business owners and managers also grows. The Small Business Development Center was established in 1978 and operates with funds from university, federal, and state grants. A consortium of four universities (University of South Carolina, Clemson University, Winthrop University, and South Carolina State University) operates the program. A state director operationally oversees the plans of the consortium.
The SBDC-Coastal Area is part of the Winthrop Regional SBDC. The Winthrop Regional SBDC serves a wide geographical area of 15 South Carolina counties and strives to meet the needs of a diverse community of entrepreneurs. Area managers and business counselors in Rock Hill, Florence, and Myrtle Beach assist business owners, agricultural businesses of the Pee Dee, and tourist related firms strung along the Atlantic coast in Horry and Georgetown counties.
