news

Spring is almost here and we are thrilled to inform you about the return of an exciting event; one we hope you will share with the bright students in your community. On Saturday April 11th, the City of Columbia and Soda City Market are collaborating to host our fourth annual Student Market Pop Up. Students 16 and older will have the opportunity to showcase their goods, services, and enterprising ideas to the Columbia community at…

  The City of Columbia announces the business licensing renewal season begins on Monday, February 2, 2026!  All 2025 business licenses expire on April 30, 2026 with a five percent (5%) late penalty accrual per month starting on May 1, 2026. To go to the renewal portal, click HERE. If you have any questions regarding the business licensing renewal season, please contact City of Columbia's Business Licensing department at (803)545-3345 or send an email to businesslicensemail@columbiasc.gov.  

After internal discussions with our partners at BullStreet, the City of Columbia will begin phasing out the REI/BullStreet Food Truck Friday location at the end of December 2025.  This transition will go into effect beginning January 2026. The Office of Business Opportunities is currently working on securing a new location for more Food Truck Friday opportunities.  Beginning in January 2026, Food Truck Fridays will relocate to: Finlay Park 1400 Laurel Street, Columbia, SC The new…

The U.S. Small Business Administration is seeking nominations for the 2026 National Small Business Week Awards!  National Small Business Week recognizes the contributions of America's 36 million small businesses - which make up 99 percent of all businesses in America, create two out of every three new jobs, and employ about half of America's workforce.  For more information, click HERE to go to SBA's webpage! Nominations must be submitted by Monday, December 22nd at 2:00 P.M.

The Gilbane Rising Contractor program provides small business trade partners an opportunity to develop and broaden their industry skills and knowledge while also gaining first-hand insight on working with Gilbane.  Through ten (10) weekly, two-hour virtual sessions (with an in-person orientation and graduation) led by Gilbane subject matter experts, participants develop relationships through knowledge sharing centered around topics such as prequalification, risk management, financial strength, and business development. For more information and to apply for…

7Sunday, LLC in partnership with the City of Columbia's Office of Business Opportunities hosted its first BizArts event on Sunday, September 21st at the Columbia Museum of Art. Thanks to University of South Carolina student Giovanni Cusatis for his feature in Carolina Reporter!  Click HERE to read more!

Deon Generette's 7Sunday in partnership with the Office of Business Opportunities will host the launch of BizArts a new series celebrating the intersection of creativity and commerce! The kickoff event will take place on Sunday, September 21st at the Columbia Museum of Art beginning from 4:00 - 7:00PM. During the event, there will be a fireside chat featuring the Office of Business Opportunities, Councilman Tyler Bailey, Richland County Council member Gretchen Barron, and President and Managing Director…

Join Mayor Daniel Rickenmann for the Mayor's Town Hall Tour beginning on Monday, September 8th.  Here are the dates and locations for the town hall tour: Districts 1 & 2 Monday, September 8th at 5:30 P.M. Earlewood Park 1113 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC 29203 Districts 3 & 4 Tuesday, September 9th at 5:30 P.M. Woodland Park 6500 Olde Knight Parkway, Columbia, SC 29209 Business Community (with Columbia Chamber of Commerce)* Wednesday, September 10th at 7:30 A.M. Segra…

The City of Columbia's Department of Procurement and Contracts lists the City's solicitations through the online service, eBid!  To view the current solicitations, click HERE! To learn more on registering in the City's online service, eBid, click HERE to go to the City's Procurement and Contracts webpage!

The City of Columbia expects to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program which will help to address affordable housing and community development needs.  Program activities must meet at least one of three national objectives outlined by the City's Community Development strategy.  As part of this process,…