Power Up Spartanburg celebrates one year, launches new resources for business owners

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – About a year ago Spartanburg County Council issued a $6 million dollar grant to the One Spartanburg Inc. kicking off the Power Up initiative. Since then, the initiative has been helping grow small business development in more ways than one.

“They say we’re number one in big business we want to be #1 in small business,” said Allen Smith, the President and CEO of One Spartanburg.

When the initiative kicked off last March, leaders promised to create more opportunities. Especially for women and minority-owned businesses.

“We have created those businesses where there are none and we continue to grow it, but we also want to build an entire ecosystem so we want to grow every small business or anyone who wants to start a business,” Jay Jenkins, the Director of Small & Minority Business Development.

Since last year the Power Up initiative has launched 5 programs. The goal is to make Spartanburg a hub for small business development.

“We’ve been in business two years but we can say that in the last year since 2024 we’ve actually had sales every month which has not happened before,” said Amy Williamson, the owner of Blessed Blooms Flower Shop and Gifts.

Small businesses have benefited from over $2 million in grants and loans, expert advice, mentoring and education on how to run a business. Monday they launched three more programs including the Grid.

“The Grid is a one stop shop for any small business in Spartanburg County, if you want to know how to start a business you go to the grid if you want to know how to grow your business you grow to the grid if you want to exit out of the small business ecosystem you can find information on there in the grid,” said Jenkins.

Next they’ll focus on creating more brick-and-mortar shops.

“Giving small businesses the opportunity to own their own commercial space,” he said.

To learn more about Power Up programs, click here.

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