Community Engagement Division

The Community Engagement Division serves as the on-the-ground presence of the South Carolina Commission for Community Advancement and Engagement, transforming policy into partnership and vision into action across South Carolina. We connect people, place, and policy—ensuring that every voice across South Carolina helps shape the state’s path toward equity and opportunity.

Through direct collaboration with residents, local leaders, and partner organizations, we listen, convene, and co-create solutions rooted in lived experience. Our work strengthens the bridge between community insight and statewide action—transforming engagement into progress that uplifts rural and under-resourced communities alike.

In partnership with the Research Division, Public Information Division, and the Small Business Division, we bring together data, communication, and economic inclusion to build lasting impact. 

For partnership inquiries, collaboration proposals, or to request a community engagement event in your area, please contact a member of our team.

Research and Planning Division

The Commission’s Research and Planning Division exists to provide critical data and information for decision-making purposes. The Research Division seeks to assist the general public, public officials, the private sector, non-profit, and faith-based organizations with critical statistical data and analysis.

The goal of the Research Division is to both create and maintain a comprehensive research program and statistics concerning the cause and effect of economic deprivation in under-resourced and rural communities across the state of South Carolina. The division’s research is expansive, covering a variety of topics related to economic deprivation across a range of geographical scales, from simple data visualizations to complex multivariate analyses.

Small Business Division

The Small Business Division was created in 2008 to identify key issues and services that are necessary for the development of minority, small businesses, as well as the best measures for sustainability, programmatic implementation, enhancement, and economic growth. In 2024, the division expanded to include the South Carolina Division of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification (SMBCC). The SMBCC was created by Executive Order in October 1979. Enabling legislation was passed and the program was placed into law as outlined in Article 21, Section 11-35-5010 of the Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1981. The integration of SMBCC into the Commission enhances the agency’s services and support for small businesses across the state. Together, the division serves as a one-stop shop for those looking for resources to start or grow their business, those looking to do business with a small business, or those looking to become certified. 

The Small Business Division connects small businesses to State contracting and procurement opportunities through the Material Management Office (MMO), while working with State agencies to implement and monitor minority-contracting programs in accordance with applicable policies, laws, and regulations.

Small Business staff also serves as a conduit to the SC Department of Administration on key issues affecting the small and disadvantaged business communities. This includes taking a lead role in helping stakeholders to develop and implement policies and procedures aimed at increasing participation in State contracting by small businesses.

The division provides program services to firms on an individual counseling basis as well as workshops. 

The Small Business Division's technical assistance is comprised of seminar training, one-on-one consultations, potential vendor lists, participation reports, and dispute resolution. We also provide assistance for procurement officials, prime suppliers and general contractors to design and implement effective supplier diversity strategies into the procurement and subcontracting process.

Mission

The mission is to promote the interest of small businesses as a part of the free enterprise system; thereby, enhancing economic growth and development in South Carolina.

The Small Business Division certifies that a South Carolina business is owned, controlled, and operated by a socially and economically disadvantaged minority who is a United States citizen. There are no loans, grants or guaranteed award of contracts associated with obtaining certification. Businesses are encouraged to participate in any agency’s bid process. Agency solicitations are advertised in the SC Business Opportunities (SCBO) publication issued by the Materials Management Office.

Goals

• To promote the growth and development of small businesses in South Carolina.
• To act as an advocate so that an equitable portion of State procurement contracts be awarded to small businesses.
• To encourage small businesses that want state contracts to become certified.