Columbia Standard

Bank of America has announced a $500,000 grant to three state chamber of commerce organizations to unveil a statewide Minority Business Accelerator program.

The Charleston, Columbia and Greenville Chambers will lead the program and is expected to begin at the start of next year, according to a BoA press release.

Kim Wilkerson, president, Bank of America South Carolina, said that program was expected to cultivate a dynamic workforce for minority-owned businesses.

“Together with the Charleston, Columbia, and  Greenville Chamber organizations, we are working to do our part to  support minority-owned businesses, and we hope to encourage others as  well,” Wilkerson said.  “Here in South Carolina, Bank of America remains focused on creating  opportunity in the areas of jobs, training, and workforce development as  these areas are where systemic, long-term gaps have existed and where  significant change is required to achieve sustainable progress.”

The Minority Business Accelerator supports and scales high-potential minority-owned businesses by providing targeted education and networking with a three-year strategic growth action plan. 

The program is aligned with Bank of America's $1.25 billion five-year commitment to push for  racial equality, along with economic opportunities in local  communities.

The Minority Business Accelerator began in 2012 in upstate South Carolina through the Greenville Chamber. 

The program will now expand the Midlands and Lowcountry markets.