BEST ADVICE Mike Seekings, CARTA board chairman
PAGE 4 VOLUME 26 NUMBER 8 ■ CHARLESTONBUSINESS.COM
Filling the gap
Lowcountry Graduate Center continues its mission of workforce development. Page 21
Part of the
APRIL 6 - 19, 2020 ■ $2.25
network
NEW NORMAL SPECIAL REPORT: Businesses across South Carolina quickly shift to new service models to keep customers and cash flowing as the global pandemic stretches across the state. Pages 13-20
SBDC offers guidance on loans to small businesses By Molly Hulsey
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ore than half of 1,500 respondents in a recent Goldman Sachs survey expect their small business to survive three months or less under current circumstances, yet more than 67% don’t know how to access emergency funding. South Carolina small-business consultants say those numbers are even more dire in a state where 99.4% of all businesses are considered small enterprises, according to last year’s U.S. Small Business Administration report. The federal government’s $2 trillion stimulus bill, signed by President Donald Trump on March 27, offers a $350 billion Paycheck Protection Program for no-fee loans up to $10 million for small businesses, with a focus on those owned by minorities, women and veterans, or enterprises in rural areas,
Teacher transition
University of South Carolina recruiting professionals to teach in rural school districts. Page 22
Port property
Lowe to prepare part of Union Pier for sale, redevelopment. Page 8
Nuclear settlement Judge gives initial approval to Santee Cooper settlement agreement. Page 12
INSIDE
Upfront................................. 2 SC Biz News Briefs................. 3 Best Advice........................... 4 In Focus: Education and Workforce Development...................... 21 List: Colleges & Universities........................25 Bonus List: Computer Training Cos........................26 Viewpoint............................ 31
phoff@scbiznews.com
See SBA, Page 9
Reschedule or cancel? Events groups struggle through COVID By Shamira McCray
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smccray@scbiznews.com
he new coronavirus has had a devastating impact on businesses such as Ooh Events owned by Lisa Thomas. Spring is always the company’s biggest season. Thomas runs a rental company and event planning service. The timing of the COVID19 outbreak has led to all of her April events
being canceled, and events planned for May are starting to cancel. But she hopes to maintain some of her May dates. With wedding season underway, Thomas said she has to think about what is best for her clients and come up with different options. “People are always still going to get married,” she said. “I started my business in 20089, which was not a good time. But people are still — they still want celebrations, you know,
especially during these times. We need things that lift us up and make us feel better.” Thomas said her clients just want to get married, and it is her company’s job to outline the best way for them to do that. Ooh Events has never experienced the type of impact that COVID-19 is having on businesses across the state and throughout See TOURISM, Page 6
Immersed in industry
Tri-county program gives educators opportunity to connect curricula with companies. Page 21