Staff Report
Published Dec. 2, 2009

The Charleston Area Business Council, part of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce, is hosting a panel of experts Dec. 9 on ways to secure small business loans.

Speakers include:

• Ed Kesser, BCI Lending.
• Brian Kornahrens, assistant vice president of commercial banking, Carolina First Bank.
• Tom Lauria, area manager, University of South Carolina Small Business Development Center.
• Cindi Rourk, Charleston Citywide Development Corp.
• Gregg White, program director, S.C. Business & Cooperative Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Small businesses nationally and locally have been struggling as the volume of available loans has declined. Provisions in the federal stimulus plans were aimed at helping boost loans offered through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Related stories:

• State’s SBA-backed loan activity sees 3-month uptick
• Despite federal incentives, SBA loan volume still down across the state

The panel will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Dec. 9 in the chamber boardroom. Cost is $15 for chamber members and $30 for nonmembers. Register online.