COLUMBIA, S.C. - The number of black-owned businesses with employees in South Carolina has dropped, according to Census figures.

The state had 2,500 black-owned businesses with workers in 2002, down from 3,148 in 1997 - a 21 percent decrease, the U.S. Census Bureau reported.

Auto Image Inc., a Columbia used car dealership, is one such business. Owner Richard Johnson said it's difficult to run a black-owned business. "It's hard to get the assistance you need, regardless of what people say," he said.

When Johnson, 33, needed a loan to improve his car lot this year, he visited seven banks with his financial documents in hand.

"Not one bank talked as if they wanted to do anything for me," he said. "We did everything by the book. I had everything I needed."

Clente Flemming is president of South Carolina Community Bank, the only black-owned bank in the state. He said blacks have a more difficult time creating capital in their businesses. As a result, they cannot afford to advertise, hire workers or compete with larger companies.

The Census Bureau said the total number of black-owned businesses in South Carolina increased 23 percent between 1997 and 2002 to 28,620. Flemming said that doesn't mean much because anyone can incorporate a business but making money and hiring others spells success.

Flemming said part of the problem is that blacks, who make up about 30 percent of the state's population, do not often spend money at black-owned stores.

He said black buying power in South Carolina reached $17 billion in 2003. However, census figures show black-owned businesses generated $1.7 billion in sales in 2002.

"If African-Americans supported their own businesses, right there it would grow overnight," Flemming said.

Johnson finally received his loan but said it wasn't easy. Despite the struggle, he and his partner have stayed in business five years. Today, they have five employees and are about to start offering health benefits.

"I feel bad for so many minority businesses because you can't get the backing and support to succeed," he said.