SC Community Loan Fund

SCCLF was excited to be part of THRIVE 10X: Taking Hold of Resources to Ignite Visibility and Expansion! Hosted by the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity, THRIVE 10X brought together entrepreneurs, small business owners, and community partners for a day centered on connection, resources, and growth.

We especially loved connecting with some familiar faces, our LEAP alumni! 💚 Seeing entrepreneurs continue to build, grow, and tap into new opportunities is exactly why this work matters.

Here’s to strengthening small businesses and creating thriving communities across South Carolina!

We’re excited to see our very own Nico Brown taking the stage at CONECTA Business Expo 2026!

Join him for Capital Without Barriers, a conversation designed to help entrepreneurs better understand access to capital, what lenders look for, and how to prepare for growth.

We’re proud to continue connecting entrepreneurs with the knowledge and resources they need to move their businesses forward.

🔥 Si tienes un negocio, pero no tienes idea de cómo acceder a capital… tenemos que hablar.

Una buena idea no es suficiente. Trabajar duro no siempre es suficiente. Si quieres crecer, contratar, comprar equipo, abrir otra ubicación o aprovechar una oportunidad, necesitas entender cómo funciona el dinero para los negocios.

En CONECTA Business Expo 2026, no te pierdas:

💰 CAPITAL WITHOUT BARRIERS presentado por Nico Brown

Si no sabes qué busca un prestamista, cómo prepararte para solicitar capital o qué opciones existen para financiar tu crecimiento, este seminario es para ti.

No esperes hasta necesitar $50,000, $100,000 o $500,000 para comenzar a aprender cómo conseguirlos.

👉 Prepárate antes de necesitar el dinero. Get your tickets 🎫 today! 👇🏼

https://www.hbalowcountry.org/events

Un agradecimiento especial a Coastal States Bank por apoyar esta oportunidad para nuestros emprendedores.

Vendors wanted! 📣

Calling South Carolina businesses, community partners, and nonprofits. Vendor tables are now open for the 2026 Entrepreneur Conference, giving you a full day to connect with entrepreneurs, lenders, and community leaders from across the state.

📅 November 12, 2026
📍 SC Aeronautical Training Center, North Charleston

Space is limited, so don't wait. To reserve a table, email Rashida at [email protected]. Please note that event registration alone does not confirm a vendor table.

📍 Newberry, we’re headed your way!

SCCLF will be at the SBA Lender Matchmaker Event on September 23! Come meet our team, connect with lenders and resource partners, explore financing options, and discover resources that can help your small business start, grow, and thrive.

📅 September 23, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
📍 Newberry Firehouse Conference Center

Come find the SCCLF table and say hello. We can’t wait to connect with Newberry’s entrepreneurs and small business community!

Ready to apply for an SCCLF loan but not sure where to start?

Join us for Lunch and Learn: The Loan Lowdown with Nico Brown, a FREE virtual workshop to help you navigate the SCCLF loan application process with confidence.

September 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM | Virtual | FREE, RSVP required

Topics include documentation, eligibility, application tips, common mistakes, and a live Q&A with our Lending Team.

RSVP here https://tr.ee/wAi2Mnngua or with the link in bio. Follow our Eventbrite for more events, something special is coming soon.

Meet Selena Pickens!

Owner and Founder of Money Management Solution, she's dedicated her career to guiding first time homebuyers and communities toward financial opportunity, a mission she carries forward through her seat on SCCLF's board.

What a day!

Our SCCLF team hit pause on the usual routine to focus on what matters most, our values and our growth. Led by Jamie Tozzi, we started with real talk about what we stand for and how we want to show up for the communities we serve. Then we broke into small groups, swapping ideas, sharing perspectives, and walking away with fresh energy and new ways to think about our work.

And because no great day is complete without good food, we capped it off with a barbecue that absolutely hit the spot. Full plates, full hearts, and a team more connected than ever.

Days like this remind us why we do what we do. Feeling motivated, aligned, and ready to keep serving South Carolina with statewide support, from the coast to the Midlands to the Upstate.

SCCLF is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. This month is about honoring the roots, culture, and drive behind one of the fastest growing communities in our state. Across South Carolina, Hispanic owned businesses are opening doors, creating jobs, and building something lasting for the next generation. SCCLF provides statewide support to help make that growth possible, because every business deserves the chance to thrive. Raíces fuertes, futuro brillante, strong roots, bright future.

Meet Corey McClary!

Workforce Development Manager for Berkeley County Government, a Citadel grad and Army veteran, he embodies the principle that genuine leadership means serving others, work he extends as Chair of SCCLF's Loan Committee.