Minority Business Development Agency Opens SC Office to All Minority Businesses Impacted by Flood

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  The Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center has opened its Columbia, SC office to minority business owners who need assistance processing FEMA Individual Assistance and SBA Disaster Loan applications. Minority business owners are encouraged to contact the Center’s hotline at 803-743-1181 to get started.
  
  The MBDA Business Center is located at 400 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29206. Computers, high-speed internet, fax machines, telephones and office supplies are available. To take advantage of this service, minority business owners should call the Center’s hotline to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. For business owners who cannot travel to the office, Center staff is available by telephone.
  Camille Shaw, MBDA Business Center –Columbia, SC Project Director, says, “Minority businesses are essential to the economic progress of our families, cities and South Carolina as a whole. That’s why we have placed our entire team on standby to serve the minority business community. Additionally, we are especially sensitive to businesses located within our rural counties, many of which may not have access to the computers and high speed internet required to initiate a claim. We are more than happy to provide the location, supplies and technical support they need to complete this process.”
  
  The 2007 Census statistics indicate there are nearly 50,000 minority-owned businesses in South Carolina. The Columbia Center services the entire state.
  
  To date, FEMA has designated the following South Carolina counties as flood disaster areas: Bamberg, Berkeley, Calhoun, Charleston, Clarendon, Colleton, Darlington, Dorchester, Florence, Georgetown, Greenwood, Horry, Kershaw, Lee, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, Sumter and Williamsburg. MBDA Business Center services are also available for businesses located outside of the FEMA-declared disaster areas.