South Carolina ranks 4th in the nation for women starting businesses.

It is home to more than 160,000 existing woman-owned businesses.

To help, Columbia College has launched the Women’s Business Center of South Carolina, financed by Google and the SC Department of Commerce.

“We know women are capable of starting enterprises,” Dr. Kasie Whitener, Co-founder of the Women’s Business Center said.

“We looked around and couldn’t see where they were being offered statewide networking and educational resources to help grow those enterprises.”

The Women’s Business Center headquartered at Columbia College plans road shows, residencies, and partnership-driven programs.’

The steering team includes women owners, nonprofit executives, academics and resource providers.

Executive Director Katherine Swartz-Hilton and Dr. Whitener of the McNair Center for Entrepreneurism at Columbia College will oversee the programs.

“This has to be a collaborative effort,” Swartz-Hilton said. “We need to cover the entire state to be legitimate. We cannot do that without a strong network of volunteers and members who believe in what we’re doing.

The center will map existing resources for women entrepreneurs and hold listening sessions to learn what women owners want

Sessions will include coffee meet-ups, online events, lunches and happy hours.

Grow with Google will help women grow their digital literacy. More about the center at https://www.face-book.com/wbcofsc/