Small businesses across Spartanburg County now have a tool for finding a suitable location thanks to a new program launched in February by Power Up Spartanburg.
The Access to Space program aims to develop 12 locations across the county with an emphasis on attracting businesses to downtown areas in Spartanburg’s municipalities.
The program offers rental assistance for eligible businesses for 12 months with 100% of rent covered for the first six months. That support is reduced on a sliding scale by 10% per month for the remaining six months.
There are also a number of eligibility requirements, including:
- The business must be located in or plan to locate in Spartanburg County.
- Applicants must have been in business for at least three years.
- The business must be willing and financially able to commit to a three-year minimum lease in one of the prequalified locations across the county.
- The business must open within 60 days of executing a lease.
More information can be found at powerupspartanburg.com/space.
Power Up Spartanburg’s Access to Capital program has two financing options for small businesses, which includes loans of up to $50,000 through Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union at 3.99%
The program also offers businesses lines of credit of up to $50,000 for up to 12 months at the current prime interest rate.
More information on the Access to Capital program can be found at powerupspartanburg.com/loans.
Edwards to retire as GSP CEO in January 2026
Greenville-Spartanburg Airport District President and CEO Dave Edwards is retiring after 16 years at the helm, the airport announced at the end of January.
His retirement will take effect Jan. 9, 2026.
Edwards assumed leadership for the district in July 2009, and his retirement caps 38 years of service within the aviation industry.
Before coming to GSP, his career began with the Dade County Aviation Department in Miami. He also served as airport director for the Asheville Regional Airport, the executive director of the Titusville-Cocoa Airport Authority and held leadership positions with the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.
The GSP Airport Commission has established a succession plan and process, and it will execute that plan in advance of Edwards’ departure in January 2026.
Greater Greer Chamber announces 2025 board
The Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce announced its 2025 board of directors who will help steer the chamber’s activities and initiatives.
The board members are: chair Blair Miller, Pinnacle Financial Partners; chair-elect Kevin Duncan, Countybank; Mark Hopper, Hopper Financial; Monica Barnett, Coldwell Banker Caine; Jim Boyd, Park National Bank; Evan Bramhall, Duggin & Hughes Law LLC; Wayne Davis, Medical Group of the Carolinas; Inez Hannon, Prisma Health Greer Memorial Hospital; Alan Jones, Michelin North America Inc.; Mark King, King Consulting; Daniel Lovelace, Barista Alley; Brandon Punch, Century 3 Inc.; Caroline Robertson, Greer Relief & Resources Agency Inc.; Rob Safrit, Family Dental Health; Donna Smith, Berkshire Hathaway C. Dan Joyner Realtors; April Staggs, United Bank; Chris Taylor, USC Upstate; Willie Thompson, Greenville Technical College; Tom Tyra, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport; and Myra Whiten, Pelham Medical Center.
