GREENVILLE, S.C. (March 8, 2013) – Michelin Development, a subsidiary of Michelin North America that provides low interest loans and business expertise to disadvantaged small to medium-sized businesses, announced it has extended loans to four businesses in the Upstate.
The new businesses benefiting from this investment support include:
Blues Boulevard Jazz – The recently opened Blues Boulevard Jazz is Greenville’s newest venue to enjoy jazz entertainment and an array of tapas. The business is located at 300 River St. in downtown Greenville.
Divine Healing Health Care Services - Divine Healing Home Health Care Services is a Simpsonville- based temporary staffing agency for certified nursing assistants and travel nurses. The company also offers a certified nursing assistant training program.
High Performance Gym – High Performance Gym moved to Greenville from New York City and opened in the fall of 2012. The family owned gym, located at 284 Rocky Creek Road, offers small group and personal fitness training.
9 Round - 9Round is a specialized fitness center offering boxing and kickboxing training. The business is located at 500 Old Buncombe Road.
“Through the Michelin Development program, Michelin is committed to helping small businesses throughout the Upstate’s 10 counties thrive and create jobs for our communities,” said John Tully, director, Michelin Development. “We are able to help deliver the financial engine and business expertise to these businesses so they too can have a positive impact on our local economy.”
Since launching Michelin Development in the Upstate in 2009, Michelin has provided 37 loans totaling more than $2.2 million, helping to create nearly 600 jobs. The Upstate counties included in the program are Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg and Union.
In addition to announcing the new businesses in the program, Michelin Development recently formed a partnership with South Carolina Bank and Trust. SCBT will administer the loans for the program going forward.
“SCBT is proud to partner with an admirable Upstate corporate citizen like Michelin to assist small businesses through the Michelin Development program,” Mike Coggin, Upstate market president, South Carolina Bank and Trust.
About Michelin Development
Created in 1990 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin Development works to boost employment in areas where the Michelin Group is located. The nonprofit program provides low interest loans and business expertise to disadvantaged small and medium-sized businesses. The program has helped create 28,000 jobs worldwide, of which more than 2,000 are in the United States and Canada.