Legislators honored at business event

Wednesday, 04 April 2007

By Kristen George The S.C. Coalition for Small Business and Entrepreneurship will recognize two state legislators at its fourth annual Salute to Small Business event April 11 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.  Sen. William O’Dell, R-Abbeville, will honored as the coalition’s first ever Legislator of the Year. Rep. Robert Harrell, R-Charleston, also will be recognized for his involvement in obtaining funding for business scholarships to offset the cost of the state’s FastTrac Entrepreneurial Programs.  “We are very pleased that we are able to get support from the state General Assembly and that we can recognize this year those legislators who have give long and active support to small businesses,” said John Lenti, coalition chairman. “This is a united effort that brings legislators and the South Carolina Coalition for Small Business and Entrepreneurship together in a close relationship so small businesses in the end will get better service.” The coalition is made up of nonprofit organizations and state and federal agencies that work together to provide the state’s entrepreneurs and small businesses with services that aim to increase their competitiveness on local, national and global levels. “Whether you’re working with hydrogen atoms or selling widgets, the business aspect is essentially the same. You’ll have business plans, marketing plans, loans, etc., and while the outcome may be different — with one company’s hydrogen atom and the other’s widgets — they have to travel the same road to get there,” Lenti said. “We in the coalition try to provide small businesses with seamless access to as many services as possible.” Members of the coalition include the state Department of Commerce, the S.C. Small Business Development Center, the S.C. Export Consortium, the S.C. Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the S.C. Women’s Business Center, the Service Corps of Retired Executives, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Small Business Administration District Office.