Minority Small Business Program Returns to Lowcountry

SCORE SC Lowcountry’s Minority Small Business Program (MSBP), which provides business mentoring and financial awards for minority-owned businesses located in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, is returning in 2023.

Minority business owners have the opportunity to receive financial awards of $2,500 or, for a select few, $5,000, which they will be able to put towards direct company operations such as accounting, customer service tools or equipment.

Eligibility has changed for the program this year. All businesses must be minority-owned and over one year old, registered or have a business license in South Carolina, owned by someone African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American (at least 51%), and have 25 or fewer employees. The business must also be located in either Beaufort, Jasper, Colleton, or Hampton Counties and must participate in an Award Orientation Program.

In 2021 and 2022, an Advisory Committee comprised of community and business leaders from across the SCORE SC Lowcountry service area and from Columbia, SC reviewed award applications and made recommendations to SCORE SC Lowcountry regarding award amounts. Twenty-three (23) small business owners received an award of $2,500 (total of $57,500). For this year, there will be a limited number of $5,000 awards, in addition to the standard $2,500.

In 2023, the MSBP program hopes to reach more potential applicants. Additionally, it is a requirement for all applicants to attend an orientation session (either in person or virtually) before the applications are submitted to SCORE SC Lowcountry for scoring and award consideration.

The MBSP program will accept applications from September 15 – 29, 2023. The link to the application is: https://www.score.org/sclowcountry/ about/minority-small-businessprogram.

If you are interested in being part of this program either as a SCORE volunteer or an Advisory Committee member, please contact Ms. Michelle Gaston at (803) 999-7038 or via email at score- 0650@scorevolunteer. org.

• Hospice Care of the Lowcountry celebrated the dedication of the new Margaret Clark Legacy Garden at The Pines at Bluffton with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration with the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. Maggie faithfully served the community and patients of Hospice Care of the Lowcountry for 18 years. Her legacy will continue to serve those in our community. Learn more by contacting Hospice Care of the Lowcountry at (843) 706-2296.

• Grooby’s, Too! recently celebrated its’ 2-Year Business Anniversary with a Ribbon Cutting Celebration with the Greater Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. They are an authentic New York restaurant and bar located at 12 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite A, Bluffton that opened on July 29, 2021. They provide friendly service and high-quality food. Stacy, the owner, promises “more meat than your mouth can handle” on all sandwiches and a full slate of salads, hot and cold sandwiches, and dinner entrees to go, alongside a full-service bar. Learn more by contacting Grooby’s, Too! at (843) 707-9696.

• Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head is seeking volunteers to drive routes on Hilton Head Island, Bluffton and in Sun City due to the increase in clients needing hot nutritious meals. Volunteers use their own vehicles and can choose a day to deliver weekly or monthly. Meals are delivered Monday through Friday. Volunteers are also needed to serve on committees and to help in the mornings with food preparation.

• Persons interested in learning more about volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head can call the office from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday, at (843) 802-0919.

• Lowcountry Presbyterian Church in Bluffton maintains a medical equipment closet for members and the community. The equipment is given out for free to those who have a need to borrow or keep. The items include wheelchairs, transport chairs, rollator and metal walkers, knee walkers and bedside commodes. There are also crutches, canes, bed rails and other medically related items. For more information, please contact Lowcountry Presbyterian Church at (843) 815-6570.

• The Bluffton Library will hold a Page Turners book club meeting at 11 am on 8/29. On 8/15 patrons can enjoy Grownups’ Getaway Matinee at 1 pm. On Saturday, 8/19 there will be a Teen Ice Cream Party 1 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. On 9/6 Chair Yoga will be offered from 10 - 11 a.m. (Registration Required). Call (843) 255-6503 to learn more.

• The Historic Preservation Review Committee (HPR) has scheduled its next meeting for 8/21. If you have any further questions, please contact Growth Management at (843) 706-4500.

• The Town of Bluffton has scheduled its next Beautification Committee Meeting for 8/17 at 9 a.m. at the Theodore D. Washington Municipal Building.

• Palm Trees & Pistons next event is Saturday 9/09. The car show will be held from 9a.m to 11 a.m. at Sea Turtle Marketplace on Hilton Head Island, in the parking lot of the former Stein Mart store. The show will feature vintage, antique, exotic, muscle and unique cars owned by area locals. It’s free and open to the public.

• Kia Country of Hilton Head, a new dealership, opened in the beginning of August. The dealership is the first in the Lowcountry to employ the new Kia Store brand concept. For more information call (843) 603-3400.