Our close neighbor, across the Ravenel bridge, has some interesting options that startups and entrepreneurs should keep in mind. Both resources they offer are fairly new to the area. Mount Pleasant has both a business incubator and a business accelerator.

The business incubator Biz Inc is actually sponsored by Mount Pleasant itself. The business accelerator The Harbor Accelerator is a separate venture but has partnered with Biz Inc. Each of these have their own unique positions and features to explore.

• Biz Inc - Cost - $250/month - The town provides the businesses with a cubicle, phone service, Internet and access to a conference room. A business can locate in the incubator for its first 12 months of operation. After 12 months they are encourged to find a permanent space within the community.

• The Harbor Accelerator - Cost - $0 - The cost is free, however, this is a program you and/or venture must apply to and they must offer you acceptance into the program. The program they offer is a 14 week intensive course. And the focus of the program is on startup businesses that are scalable to a national or international level.
  
  Participating in the course will give you access to mentors, educational 90 minute structured classes, develop team advisors, invitations to mentor meetings for 12 months after completing the program, access to investors and of course wi-fi, printers, conference room and parking among other things. Keep in mind if you are focused only on launching a hyper local business this is probably not the program that is right for your venture.