(Columbia-AP) July 29, 2005 - The number of
black-owned businesses with employees in South Carolina
has dropped. Census figures show the state had 2,500
black-owned businesses with workers in 2002, that's down
from 3,148 in 1997.
Clente Flemming is president of South Carolina
Community Bank, the only black-owned bank in the state.
He says blacks have a more difficult time creating
capital in their businesses. Richard Johnson of Auto
Image of Columbia says he went to seven banks when he
wanted to expand his used car dealership.
The Census report says the total number of
black-owned businesses in South Carolina increased 23
percent between 1997 and 2002, to 28,620 firms. Flemming
says that number doesn't mean much because any
individual can incorporate.
Posted 11:52am by Bryce
Mursch
