Our Business Calendar

June 11, 2021

**News From The SC Small Business Development Centers**

COLUMBIA, SC –The South Carolina SBDC network, the state's principal provider of small business assistance, urges small businesses to prepare for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, extending from June 1 through November 30.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is forecasting another above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, with a likely range of 6 to 10 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 5 major hurricanes (category 3, 4 or 5; with winds of 111 mph or higher).
"Now is the time for small business owners to contact the SC SBDC," said SC SBDC State Director Michele Abraham. "One of our 50 consultants located throughout the state can help them develop comprehensive business continuity, emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans at no fee."
In the past several years, South Carolina has faced multiple hurricane threats which caused significant damage to homes and businesses. "Last year's record-breaking season serves as a reminder to all residents in coastal regions or areas prone to inland flooding from rainfall to be prepared for the 2021 hurricane season," said Abraham.
With the arrival of June, the SC SBDC network encourages businesses to consider the following aspects of disaster preparedness: protecting staff, building/property, data and inventory.
It is also critical to prepare a post-disaster recovery plan which may include provisions to relocate to a pre-identified site, retrieve vital data (including employee, customer and vendor records) and operate efficiently with a smaller staff.
The SC SBDC also strongly encourages businesses to back up data and secure essential files such as tax records, legal documents and financial reports.
The SC SBDC is a public-private partnership that leverages higher education and economic development resources to serve the needs of aspiring and existing small businesses. As a principal responder in the state's Emergency Support Function ESF-24 for Business & Industry, the SC SBDC is a vital economic development organization that supports disaster preparedness, recovery, and mitigation through its Business Continuation Services. Disaster preparedness materials, tips and resources are available at SCSBDC.com.
After a declared disaster, SC SBDC consultants are available to help affected businesses apply for a low-interest disaster recovery loan through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). These loans help compensate businesses for damaged and destroyed assets such as real estate, personal property, machinery, equipment and inventory.
Additional Resources:
SC Emergency Management Division officially launched hurricane.sc, an interactive website that will guide people through the fundamentals of being prepared for hurricanes and tropical storms.

**QVC Expanding Fulfillment Center in Florence County**

A hurricane preparedness checklist and other emergency preparedness resources from the SBA are available at SBA Emergency Preparedness Resources.

QVC is expanding the fulfillment center in Florence County with a $27.5 million investment that will create approximately 360 new jobs. The state of South Carolina today announced that longtime Florence County employer QVC®, a world leader in video retail across broadcast, streaming, mobile and social platforms, is expanding the company’s fulfillment center in Florence County. The approximately $27.5 million investment is expected to create approximately 360 new jobs.Operating in South Carolina since 2007, QVC combines retail, media and social to curate products, experiences, conversations and communities for millions of shoppers and brings together large audiences for thousands of brand vendors. Worldwide, QVC reaches 218 million homes via its 12 broadcast networks and reaches millions more via multiple streaming services, websites, mobile apps and social pages.