Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Office Services

Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Office Services is sponsored by City of Charleston, SC. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Small Business Enterprise Office | Charleston, SC - Official Website Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.

Planning, Permitting, & Engineering Planning, Preservation & Sustainability Small Business Enterprise Office Small Business Enterprise Office The City of Charleston's Small Business Enterprise Office empowers small businesses to grow, compete, and participate in the city's contracting and procurement opportunities.

The Small Business Enterprise Office assists potential entrepreneurs & existing small business owners through: Business growth and expansion Resources related to business start-ups SBE certification to enhance contracting opportunities Access to financial opportunities through our business database Guidance and counseling on management skills and operational effectiveness Local skills-based training opportunities The office maintains a current listing of SBE vendors for referral and distribution: Other agencies maintain similar directories, including the two linked below.

The City of Charleston has established goals for the utilization of small businesses. Certification Benefits Include: Official validation of SBE status Participation in official SBE contracting opportunities that require certification. Access to City of Charleston Procurement, Stormwater Management, and Capital Projects contracts through BIDLINE: www.

charleston-sc. gov/BIDLINE Register as a City of Charleston vendor: https://www. charleston-sc.

gov/130/Procurement-Division Inclusion in the City’s public SBE Database Marketing opportunities through the City’s SBE Spotlight program Training and business development Direct referrals to local business experts & other diversity programs Small Businesses: This individual must actively oversee the daily operations of the business and control a majority (51% or greater) ownership stake.

Applicants must be citizens of the United States and have owned the business for at least one (1) full year. The gross revenue of the business concerned must not exceed $7. 5 million.

The personal net worth of the applicant cannot exceed $1. 32 million, excluding the value of their primary residence and the business they are applying to have certified. *Out of State Businesses: Businesses applying from outside the state of South Carolina must submit documentation of reciprocal certification through an official local, state, or federal program (ex.

State DOT, SCDOT, SBA, State/Local SBE). The SBE Manager will determine if the reciprocal certification meets the City of Charleston’s requirements.

Download and complete the fillable SBE Certification Application This application must be signed and notarized Attach the following documentation: Copies of signed Federal Tax returns showing gross business receipts for the last three years (unless you have only been in business for one year) Copy of any current applicable business license(s) and certifications Copy of owner’s current ID, front and back (i.e., driver’s license, ID card) Copy of a current deed, rental, or lease agreement showing business address Copies of organizational documents filed with Secretary of State (if applicable) Current reciprocal local, state, Department of Transportation, or Federal certification This is required for applicants outside the state of South Carolina Reciprocal certification may expedite the certification process for in-state applicants Email the completed application and all attachments to sbe@charleston-sc.

gov or mail to the city's SBE Office. Renewal will be for 2 years upon review and verification of the above information.

Complete SBE Certification Application (check "Recertification" box) Provide three years of business Income Taxes (signed 1st and last pages only and K-1/K-2, M-1/M-2 or schedule “C” forms) The documentation you submit must show gross business receipts and ownership information for both years Attach a copy of Expired Certification Proof of business address: current Lease/rental agreement, mortgage statement or deed Current Business License (if applicable) If you are an out of state company looking to do business with the City of Charleston and be placed in our database of SBEs, you MUST : Submit documentation of reciprocal certification through national, state, or your local government (ex.

State DOT, SBA, State SBE, etc.) The SBE Manager will determine if the reciprocal certification meets the City of Charleston’s requirements. Meet all the SBE Certification requirements: income, at least one (1) year in business, etc. Complete the City of Charleston’s SBE Certification Application and provide all required documents. *Check out our Why Be SBE Certified?

PPT Guide in Spanish ! Please note some requirements have changed since this presentation was recorded. Small Business Workshops are free and available to small businesses in the Charleston area.

If you have any questions about the workshops or how to register, please contact the SBE Office at (843) 724-7434 or at sbe@charleston-sc. gov . The SBE Spotlight Program was created to recognize local entrepreneurs who are vital to the City of Charleston’s economic growth and award them for their achievements in developing both their businesses and supporting their communities.

Eligible businesses must be registered with the City of Charleston’s SBE Program to be nominated. Nominate your business here: SBE Spotlight Nomination Form The City of Charleston is honored to recognize Khouri Group as our Quarterly SBE Spotlight.

Grow with Google Digital Coaches Learn about the Federal Bonding Program Learn about the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Charleston Metro Chamber: Small Business Accelerator SBA Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD) The U.S. Small Business Administration helps provide a level playing field for small businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged people or entities.

The government limits competition for certain contracts to businesses that participate in the 8(a) Business Development program. SizeUpSC is an easy-to-use platform that allows you to receive data to help your company make better decisions around competitive benchmarking, customers, suppliers, even marketing and advertising. SCORE fosters vibrant small business communities through mentoring and education.

SCORE can help with creation of a business plan, find financing including small business loans or grants to grow your business, create a digital marketing campaign, and more! CLIMB Fund is a not-for-profit Community Development lender whose mission is to ensure access to capital for small businesses and affordable housing developments that cannot secure traditional financing.

Based in Charleston and serving the entire state of South Carolina, CLIMB Fund has more than 40 years of history lending to entrepreneurs who have been turned away by for-profit banks.