TCEDC

The purpose of the Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation (TCEDC) is to assist local entrepreneurs in taking their ideas from concept to reality, from garage office to Main Street and from relative unknown to a mainstream brand.

TCEDC (Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation)

The purpose of the Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation (TCEDC) is to assist local entrepreneurs in taking their ideas from concept to reality, from garage office to Main Street and from relative unknown to a mainstream brand.

TCEDC, working closely with Tri-County Technical College and the Oconee Economic Alliance, offers educational programs to entrepreneurs and small businesses. TCEDC also offers one-on-one counseling and mentoring services to both new and existing small businesses.

Educational Programs

The TCEDC conducts entrepreneur training programs on a monthly basis at Tri-County Technical College in Pendleton, South Carolina.

This “Small Business Start-up” workshop addresses the early steps involved in starting a small business and is offered to area individuals interested in beginning the process. The workshop is also available for those who are already in business but need to supplement their skills.

The evening program is conducted from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and is free of charge.

Click here for more information regarding classes and registration.

Meet our Mentors

The TCEDC provides access to volunteers who provide counsel to entrepreneurs desiring to start a business. All TCEDC mentors are members of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE).

Dave Eldridge

Mr. Eldridge serves CEO of the TCEDC and is an active SCORE mentor to many local clients. In the past year, he has worked closely with the South Carolina Small Business Development Center at Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College to develop and deliver training programs for small businesses in the Pickens, Anderson and Oconee county area. His mentoring is based on extensive business experience in the fields of manufacturing, marketing, international business, engineering and non-profits. In addition, he has owned his own successful small business and understands the many challenges they face. Dave has also served both the State South Carolina and the State of North Carolina as the States Director of Economic Development.

P: 727.422.4459
E: deldridge1940@charter.net

Michael Hehir

Terry McKenney

Mr. McKenney handles the operations at the Oconee Business Center and is also a SCORE mentor. Terry spent 35 years as the owner of an auto service business. He also served four terms in the Maine State Legislature and spent seven years as the radio host of an automotive talk show. In his spare time, Terry was an EMT working as part of an ambulance crew.

E: terrymck41@gmail.com

Paul Corbeil

Mr. Corbeil is a SCORE Mentor. Before retiring to Oconee County in 2006, he spent 38 years in the trust, retirement and mutual funds services industry with Chase Manhattan, Mellon Bank, T. Rowe Price and Invesco/AIM. His responsibilities included client relations, service delivery, project management, budgeting and planning. He has also been active in various community associations, and currently serves as a member of the Oconee County Council.

Have Interest in Becoming a TCEDC Volunteer?

Become a TCEDC Mentor Volunteer and share your years of business experience, knowledge and skills with start-up and established businesses. Please contact Dave Eldridge at 727.422.4459 for more information.

Oconee Incubator

oconee-center

The Oconee Business Center (OBC) is a small business “incubator” designed to support small businesses during start-up and early growth stages. The OBC is operated by the Tri-County Entrepreneurial Development Corporation, in partnership with the Oconee Economic Alliance and is a recognized 501 C 3 entity.

The Oconee Business Center provides:

Advocacy, support and encouragement for business start-ups that have the potential for significant job creation.
Business mentoring and resource assistance to the small business community in the Tri-County area.
Accelerate opportunities for businesses with well-developed business plans.
Serve as an initial location for business seeking to expand in Oconee, Anderson and Pickens counties.

About the Oconee Business Center:

The Oconee Business Center (OBC) is located in downtown Walhalla, South Carolina. The physical address is 104 Browns Square Drive Walhalla, S.C. 29691. The OBC facility provides 10,000 square feet of office space and 5,000 square feet of open space with overhead door access for prototype development and light manufacturing support activities. The facility has internet access, 110V and 220V power, a shared reception area, a shared conference room, various meeting rooms, restrooms, a break room and adequate parking.

The Oconee Business Center provides flexible solutions for the entrepreneur by providing attractive rental terms, which can be modified to assist tenants through the initial start-up period. Included in the rent is: electricity, internet access, air conditioning, heat, parking, trash removal and water/sewer fees. Facility services are provided on a shared-use basis. Special and/or unique services will be available on a negotiated basis or be paid for by the tenant on a case-by-case occasion.

“Graduation” from the incubator is generally expected to be within three years from entry. Tenant accomplishments will be reviewed quarterly to insure that the business continues to meet the TCEDC requirements and goals. This includes progress towards self-sufficiency, participation in the seminar programs and utilization of mentoring services. A “post-graduation” tenancy may be offered by TCEDC if it is determined that there is sufficient justification of need, and that the program goals will be substantially enhanced by such an extension. Leases will be offered for one year terms.

Click here for the Oconee Business Center Standards for Admission