8 businesses chosen for first-year accelerator program.

Eight local businesses have been chosen for the inaugural year of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce's Midlands Minority Business Accelerator.

The 12-month initiative, a partnership between the chamber and the South Carolina Minority Business Accelerator, is funded with a seed grant from Bank of America. It aims to reduce economic disparities experienced by minority-owned businesses by providing targeted training as well as access to business coaches and large corporations.

"The Columbia Chamber is excited to launch the Minority Business Accelerator program to help grow businesses in our region," Jean Cecil Frick, chamber board chair, said in a news release. "We are delighted to have such a strong inaugural class and look forward to witnessing their success."

Participants undergo six months of training that followsthe StreetWise 'MBA' curriculum created by Boston-based nonprofit Interise and led by instructor Wendell Jones. Participants then work closely with financial experts, coaches and peers on three-year strategic growth plans.

"As an alumna of the Interise StreetWise curriculum, I am excited to see this program coming to the Columbia area," said Karen Jenkins, Midlands Minority Business Accelerator advisory council chair and president of KRJ Consulting LLC...