South Carolina Statehouse Blog

Columbia, SC - Today Representative Anton Gunn filed a bill that, if passed, would be South Carolina’s most targeted “Small Business Green Jobs” initiative to date.The bill would create the South Carolina Small Business Micro Green Loan Program within the State Energy Office to help provide targeted startup capital to local, small businesses focused on energy efficiency, waste and greenhouse gas reduction, as well as environmental cleanup.

“The future of South Carolina’s economy will be determined by how we help our small businesses gain access energy efficient technologies,” Gunn says. “We have to start now by fostering entrepreneurship and supporting small business ingenuity or we risk being left behind completely.”

The South Carolina Small Business Micro Green Loan Program would limit its focus to enterprises employing fewer than six employees and requiring $35,000 or less for in startup capital.

“Too often our development resources are spent on large, multi-national corporations,” Gunn explains. “This initiative is different because we’re focusing on the small, local businesses where the vast majority of new jobs are created.”

Gunn, joined by several co-sponsors on H. 4638, hopes the bill will be the first step in a series of initiatives that will truly help small and micro businesses access more capital in an effort to create more jobs in South Carolina. The added benefit of the legislation that the Micro Green Loan Program will create green jobs while helping businesses to be more sustainable.

Representative Gunn’s bill is already receiving positive reviews from the business community. Ken Campbell of Walhalla, President of Profitable Energy Solutions, believes the bill will offer businesses a flexible funding approach to “go green” and see results very quickly.

“The truth is, whether a business undertakes a complex high-tech energy efficiency installation… or simply blows insulation into their attic… the money is a worthwhile investment. Worthwhile in the short term by the jobs it creates and worthwhile in the long run by having a positive impact on the business’ bottom line”, says Campbell.

Gunn agrees, “With this legislation we can be successful in three areas, help small businesses grow, help the enviroment and create new jobs all at the same time. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”