Ribbon-cutting for Charleston’s new hub for startups and freelancers set for Wednesday

Charleston’s Office of Minority Business Enterprises will host a ribbon-cutting Wednesday, announcing the opening of its first Entrepreneur Resource Center.

The Entrepreneur Resource Center is a business incubator for aspiring and existing entrepreneurs, including startups and freelancers, city officials said.

It will provide co-working spaces, private and semi-private offices, a conference room, a computer lab, future retail space, business resources, and other amenities with a focus on under-represented, disadvantaged, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses.

In late 2023, Charleston received $2.5 million in funding for the project.

“Over the past 30 years, we’ve lost so many minority and women-owned businesses off the peninsula, and this is going to give us the opportunity to create new businesses, help existing businesses, and also help with our legacy businesses to ensure that we build generational wealth,” said Ruth Jordan in November.

The ceremony – slated for 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31 – will feature Charleston Mayor Williams Cogswell and former State Sen. Marlon Kimpson.

The ribbon cutting will take place at the James Lewis Apartment Complex on 91 Hanover St. in Charleston.