GSA Daily February 12, 2018 By Teresa Cutlip Franchising in South Carolina is expected to employ nearly 138,000 people and have an economic output of $11 billion in 2018, according to data from the International Franchise Association. The forecasts are up 4.4% and 6.8% respectively from 2017. Women are finding…
OPINION: Savings plan needed for small business workers
The Greenville News December 10, 2017 Frank Knapp Jr., Guest columnist Most employers in South Carolina are small businesses with fewer than 100 employees. They provide goods and services to customers and important jobs for their employees. As you have undoubtedly heard many times before, small businesses are the economic…
Women-owned businesses in SC
South Carolina has an estimated 164,400 women-owned businesses, employing 111,200 and contributing roughly $15.7 billion in sales. South Carolina has the fourth-highest growth rate for the number women-owned firms over the past 20 years, with a 156% increase. It ranked 49th in growth of firm revenues, however, with a 47.8%…
Opinion: Small Businesses Cast Jaundiced Eye At Tax Reform Proposals
Forbes November 28, 2017 By Frank Knapp, Jr Co-chair of Businesses for Responsible Tax Reform and president/CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce You hear it from politicians all the time, particularly while they are on the campaign trail: “Mom and pop shops are the heart and…
Foreign worker loophole: Businesses say South Carolina officials ignored complaints
CBS News November 21, 2017 Watch Video A CBS News investigation this summer uncovered a hidden foreign workforce building auto plants across the country. An American business owner is now speaking out about how the practice hurts American workers. CBS News found hundreds of Eastern European workers on American construction…
Newsletter 11/22/2017: Health Insurance & Retirement
This Thanksgiving it is clear what your employees are thankful for…health insurance. With enrollment in the Health Insurance Marketplace setting new records, it is clear that the nation’s workers place a high value on health insurance. That’s why whether business owners either offer group health insurance or simply help their…
Shoppers gearing up for Black Friday, Small Business Saturday
Columbia Regional Business Report November 22, 2017 By Travis Boland Black Friday has quickly become the United States’ newest tradition as shoppers take to the streets in the wee hours of the morning looking for bargains. Many of these shoppers head to the big-box stores for items such as televisions…
Columbia earns B-plus in survey measuring small-business friendliness
Columbia Regional Business Report October 31, 2017 When it comes to providing a friendly environment for small-business owners, Columbia scored better than other major cities in South Carolina in a recent online survey, though the survey also uncovered areas that need improvement. The capital city received an overall grade of…
House backs off changes to 401k contributions
Today House Republicans released their proposed changes to the nation’s tax code. One highly controversial change that was being proposed by GOP Congressional leaders has been dropped at this point. The House bill makes no change to the 401k plans that allow individuals, many of whom are small business owners, to set aside…
The 401(k) millionaire next door
The Washington Post October 26, 2017 By Michelle Singletary If you have a 401(k) or similar workplace retirement plan, you need to be up in arms. As part of the GOP’s push to overhaul the tax code, some in Congress want to drastically reduce the amount of pre-tax money you…