Client Assistance

• Total number of clients assisted by Hub programs = 324
• Hub clients using Hub facilities and/or business assistance = 135
• Total number of business categories served by the Hub = 31
  • From Art Galleries, Accounting, Finance & Insurance to Janitorial & Sanitation
  • From Restaurants, Clothing, Food & Winery to Communications & Technology
  • From Marketing, Export, Media & Public Relations to Construction
  • From Senior Care & Medical Transport to Education & Career Consulting
  • From Drafting, Design & Graphics to Maintenance & Repair

Business Creation & Growth

• Fourteen (14) new businesses started and the owners credit Hub/FastTrac® support:
  • Art Gallery
  • Food/Candy Manufacturing
  • Home Care (added location)
  • Home Care (new)
  • Insurance Agency
  • Medical Supplies Export (1Q2012)
  • Natural Baby Food
  • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Company
  • On-line Art Gallery
  • Pet Care/Grooming
  • School Supplies Company
  • Social Service/Community Outreach Nonprofit
  • Tourism
  • Women's Apparel & Accessories
• An HVAC company increased personnel by more than 100%, purchased five (5) additional trucks between 2010–1H2011 (now, 6 total), remains debt free, and is forecasted to surpass its four year revenue projections in three years. The company has built a warehouse and purchased a modular office building for installation in January 2012.
• Candy Manufacturing business featured on "Making It Grow", a South Carolina Food Specialty Association-sponsored TV program. With good YTD results, the company is looking forward to a great 4th quarter.
• A new, all natural, frozen baby food manufacturing company, specializing in food made from local organic ingredients, was recently profiled in the BIS publication "What creative coast businesses are doing".
• Customers shopping for unique, quality, and competitively priced ladies clothing attended a "Sneak Peek/Open House" reception at a new Boutique...the only such business now open in Ridgeland, S.C.

Job Creation & Growth

• Since Oct. 2009, Hires/Saves = 41
• Many Hub clients continue to delay hiring plans because of the economy or inability to obtain funding for needed upgrades.
• Clients are retaining traditional jobs to ensure their financial stability, and to build savings to fund their new business ventures.

FastTrac® Classes

• Thirteen (13) FastTrac® Classes have been conducted with 189 entrepreneurs participating
  • Nine (9) NewVenture™ sessions – 125 participants
  • Four (4) GrowthVenture™ sessions – 64 participants

Hub Sponsors/Members include businesses from throughout the 4-county region

• 7 Hub Sponsors
• 50 Hub Members...40% are Hub Clients and/or FastTrac® Graduates
• 50 members in the network of collaborating organizations