Main Street South Carolina, the economic development technical assistance program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina, has received a grant to advance e-commerce training and technical assistance in SC’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) region.
In partnership with an IT partner, Beyond Main, Main Street South Carolina will provide tools to help rural small business owners create individual, customizable online small business storefronts.
Main Street SC will work closely with a range of state and national partners to bring specialized training and resources to four South Carolina counties — Cherokee, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg. With the goal of assisting 100 small businesses, the effort will provide marketing and photography technical assistance to support online store development. In-person workshops will take place the week of September 11 in each county.
"Using the recently launched e-commerce platform, WeShopSC.com, small businesses have access to greater competitive advantages. Small businesses will be provided tools to elevate their online presence." said Jenny Boulware, Main Street SC manager.
Through this e-commerce assistance, geographical limitations are removed so that small businesses can sell anytime, anywhere, reaching shoppers who find it more convenient to browse and buy beyond traditional business hours. The e-commerce assistance will also blend online and offline channels to better meet customer’s needs and shopping preferences. Small businesses will gain the ability to strengthen their brick-and-mortar locations with options like mobile checkout and online purchasing for postal fulfillment.
By focusing in the Appalachian Regional Commission region, Main Street South Carolina will establish a cohort experience that allows for direct and personalized technical assistance.
“Businesses will not simply be told to ‘get online.’ We will help them through the entire process. Small business owners will have access to big tech features and tools with individual guidance to support small business growth,” said Boulware.
Also, 40 eligible small businesses in Cherokee, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties will receive a grant to support 12 months of a full e-commerce storefront on WeShopSC.
Main Street SC is a program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It empowers residents, business owners and local officials with the knowledge, skills, tools and organizational structure necessary to revitalize their downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts into vibrant centers of commerce and community.
Main Street SC follows the National Main Street’s Four Point Approach – economic vitality, design, promotion and organization. For more information, visit the Municipal Association’s website at www.masc.sc (keyword: Main Street). To learn more about the grant, contact Jenny Boulware at jboulware@masc.sc.
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