SC State Region Director Jim Johnson helped his client Harleston Towles apply for a VAPG program grant. Johnson's knowledge of agriculture, business and markets helped Towles secure a $150,000 grant that he used to assist with processing, labor and the distribution of his leafy greens and herbs. Towles also was able to hire one additional employee, bring his total staff to three. In addition to assisting Towles with his loan application, Johnson helped him create/deploy a marketing plan.

Randy Gruenwald bought a meat locker in Clark, SD in 2009 and expanded it into a meat-retailing and restaurant operation called Dakota Butcher. The company has since grown to five locations in eastern South Dakota and employs 70 people. Belinda Engelhart, Regional Director of the Watertown, SD SBDC provided assistance to Randy as the company started and grew to what it has become today.

"Starting a rural small business isn't easy but can be done," said Misty Clark, who opened a retail store she named The Clothes Line. She has always had a dream of owning a clothing store in her home town. To make her dream a reality she reached out to her local TSBDC. She knew the TSBDC would get her started in the right direction.

Nilay Rania of Americas Best Value Inn & Suites in Waller County encountered SBA application difficulties that resulted in repeat loan rejections. To get help navigating SBA's loan application process, Rania sought help from Prairie View A&M University SBDC. He was matched with Jasmin Espy. Espy went a step further and connected Rania with SBDC CARES Specialist Rebecca Schultz. Shultz provided direction and clarification on the appeal submission process, email response interpretation, and more.

Owner Benjamin W. Rhone offers an array of services to families including sale of caskets and memorial accessories to provide traditional and non-traditional funerals, memorial services for cremations and committal services for all burials.