In South Carolina, a gap exists between the business educational needs of HUB contractors (Historically Underutilized Businesses) and existing training programs that help build the capacity of small companies. In early 2005, a consortium of institutions of higher education, community organizations and companies was assembled to both promote and accelerate the utilization of HUBs on construction projects in SC. A 14-week “Contractor Business Academy” was developed that exposes participants to the essential skills necessary for managing a competitive business in today’s ever-changing marketplace. Through sponsorships and partnerships in the community, we have been able to offset some of the financial requirements that may have presented barriers to participants’ enrollment. To enhance opportunities for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB) to participate in construction projects throughout South Carolina by providing education and training essential for managing a competitive construction company.

What we do
Through an open and targeted outreach effort, our goal is to increase the number of minority businesses qualified to provide goods and services to larger contractors in the region, and to increase the level of economic activity and local employment in the construction industry in the tri-county area. Our curriculum includes topics such as: Pre-qualification and Strategic Planning, “Green” Building (Earthcraft Standards), Operations and Financial Management, Blueprint Reading, Project Scheduling, Contract and Project Management, and Bidding and Estimating. Instruction is provided by accredited trainers and veteran construction professionals.

Future Goals
Our short term goal is to continue to refine our Academy to provide real value and positive economic outcomes for an ever expanding group of area participants. In the longer term, we hope to provide a financially self-sustaining program that can be replicated in other areas of South Carolina. In addition, we will continue to support the efforts of our Alumni organization, the SC HUB Guild, to encourage joint ventures to aid in procuring larger contracts, increased networking opportunities, and the
recruitment of students for future HUB Academy classes.

Results & Achievements
To date, we have held 4 successful 14-week HUB Academy Training Sessions, with 67 specialty contractors completing the program. The Lowcountry HUB Academy’s Spring 2006 graduates created an Alumni organization, the SC HUB Guild. This “for profit” group’s purpose is to encourage joint ventures with other Guild members in order to procure larger contracts, to actively recruit students for future HUB Academy classes, and to provide networking opportunities for contractors, specialty contractors and potential clients. The Guild’s motto is “Small opportunities
are often the beginning of great enterprises.” ~Demonsthenes

Lowcountry HUB Business Academy
1360 Truxton Avenue
North Charleston, SC 29405
843-745-1722