BMW Manufacturing Co. supports grant program for Spartanburg County businesses
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. — Applications are now open for the Power Up Spartanburg Small Business Impact Grant, a program designed to help eligible Spartanburg County businesses strengthen operations, build capacity and prepare for growth.
The grant program is made possible by BMW Manufacturing Co. and will be administered by the OneSpartanburg, Inc. Foundation in partnership with Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union.
Applications opened November 11 and will be accepted through December 16, 2026.
The grants are intended to help entrepreneurs and small businesses strengthen their operations, establish systems and infrastructure for sustainable growth, overcome barriers to expansion and prepare for new opportunities.
The total amount of grant funding awarded will depend on applicants’ needs and viability. The program’s media brief does not specify individual grant amounts.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify, businesses must meet the following requirements:
- Be established in Spartanburg County.
- Offer a business-to-business (B2B) product or service.
- Agree to participate in Power Up Spartanburg’s Securing Contracts initiative.
Business-to-business companies provide products or services to other businesses rather than primarily selling directly to individual consumers.
In addition to financial assistance, grant recipients will have access to technical assistance, mentoring, contracting resources and business connections through the Securing Contracts initiative.
Jay Jenkins, vice president of Small Business Development at OneSpartanburg, Inc., said the partnership is intended to help local entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses.
“This grant represents a strategic partnership between BMW and Power Up Spartanburg, all to empower local entrepreneurs to become stronger business owners with greater confidence and support throughout our community,” Jenkins said.
OneSpartanburg, Inc. President and CEO Allen Smith emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses alongside the county’s major employers.
“When we invest in entrepreneurs, we invest in Spartanburg County. The economic well-being of Spartanburg County depends on both large employers like BMW and thriving small businesses, so to see the two come together in the form of a grant that can power up a small business shows what the initiative is all about,” Smith said.
About Power Up Spartanburg
Power Up Spartanburg is a joint initiative of Spartanburg County and OneSpartanburg, Inc., established to make the county a leading location for starting, operating and growing small businesses.
According to information provided by OneSpartanburg, the initiative has engaged 3,033 current and prospective small business owners and contributed to the creation of 70 new businesses.
Based on participant self-reporting, businesses involved in the initiative have experienced an average revenue increase of $198,000 per business. The initiative also reports employment growth totaling 283 full-time or contract workers and $15.9 million in secured contracts.
Grant recipients are not guaranteed a supplier relationship or contracting preference with BMW Manufacturing Co.
How to Apply
Eligible Spartanburg County businesses can complete the online grant application through December 16, 2026.
Apply here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GwzwFqvY-39fX4Pcru9gBYJQNLS5Ur2zzU0SrE8fUzc/viewform?edit_requested=true
