Entrepreneurs who want to transform their ideas into established businesses face many challenges when turning their dreams into reality, not the least of which is financing. For those business builders who are facing difficulty obtaining traditional funding in creating or expanding an enterprise inside the City of Hartsville, a new program will soon provide an opportunity for them to follow their dreams, including a chance to apply for up to $10,000 in low-interest loans.
The City of Hartsville’s Business Builder Program, an initiative made possible with funding from the Byerly Foundation, will offer start-ups a chance at obtaining their seed financing through an education, certification and application process. The opportunities will begin on Monday, Jan. 25, with information sessions taking place at the Butler Heritage Center Auditorium, found at 1103 S. Sixth St. in Hartsville. Sessions will take place at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and participation in one of these is mandatory for those who are interested in applying for the program. Those who attend should come prepared for a brief interview to pitch their business idea.
The program will include a Business Builder Certification class for business basics, developed in partnership with the Hartsville Site of Florence-Darlington Technical College as well as the Duke Energy Center for Innovation. For those who complete this certification, the Business Builder Opportunity Loan Fund will give business developers a chance to apply for the low-interest loan.
For more information, or to obtain an application for the program, contact Mary Catherine Farrell at 843.383.3015 x2010 or mary.farrell@hartsvillesc.gov.