City of Columbia OBO

Small Business Resource Fair
2023-11-29 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Busby Street Community Center, 1735 Busby Streeet, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The U.S. Small Business Administration (South Carolina District Office), the City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities and our local small business resource partners will be hosting a Small Business Resource Fair on Wednesday, November 29th at the Busby Street Community Center beginning at 9:00AM.
Come and hear from SBA representatives along with representatives from the following agencies:

City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities
South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
SCORE Midlands
Benedict College Women’s Business Center
Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
South Carolina Office of Small and Minority Business Contracting and Certification (SMBCC)
Columbia Chamber of Commerce
South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

For questions or additional information, contact Angela Brewer, U.S. SBA Business Opportunity Specialist at (803)765-5907!

South Carolina Export Workshop
2023-12-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Tower at 1301 Gervais, 1301 Gervais Street, Suite 1100, Columbia, SC, 29201-3375, United States
The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be hosting the South Carolina Export Workshop on Tuesday, December 5th beginning at 9:00AM!
Hear from representatives from SC SBDC, U.S. Small Business Administration and more regarding information and resources on business financing and international trade! For more information click here to go to the SC SBDC webpage!

Starting A Business: Let's Make A Plan (Virtual)
2023-12-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) will be hosting the Starting A Business: Let’s Make A Plan virtual workshop on Wednesday, December 6th beginning at 12:00PM. Hear from SBDC consultant Brent Hoover along with representatives from the USCA Pacer Center as he discusses the benefits of creating a business plan and leveraging it to get loans, understanding your market, focusing your business strategy, checking financial numbers and more!
For more information and to register, click here to go to SC SBDC’s Events page!

Tenants and Landlords Rights & Responsibilities Workshop
2024-01-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201
The City of Columbia’s Community Development Department presents the Tenants and Landlords Rights & Responsibilities Workshop on Thursday, January 18, 2024 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center beginning at 6:00PM.
Topics that will be discussed during this workshop include:

Reporting issues in subsidized housing/tenant based Section 8
Code Enforcement
Housing Discrimination
Evictions & Housing Legal Information
Uniform Relocation Act

For more information and to register, click here to go to the event registration page!

How To Write An Effective Business Plan
2024-01-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Online Webinar
Join the South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SC SBDC) on Thursday, January 25th for the How To Write An Effective Business Plan webinar! This free webinar will discus information on writing an executive summary, the purpose of a business plan, and more!
For more information, contact Bobby Carolyn Strange at (843)740-6160. The deadline to register is Wednesday, January 24th! This is a Zoom online event, the Zoom link will be emailed after registration closes.

Scout Motors Supplier Outreach Event
2024-01-31 09:00 - 16:00 | DoubleTree By Hilton Columbia, 2100 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
The South Carolina Department of Commerce and Richland County are partnering with Scout Motors to provide an in-person supplier event. This is a FREE event and open to all South Carolina companies, however registration is required. For more information and to register, click here to go to Scout Motors Eventbrite page!

City of Columbia Contractor Workshop
2024-01-31 10:00 - 11:30 | Zoom
Join the City of Columbia on Wednesday, January 31st beginning at 10:00AM to discuss recent contractor updates! The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities and Procurement and Contracts Office will be providing information for contractors who are interested in opportunities with the City of Columbia!
For more information and questions, please contact Gary Porth, Construction Procurement Manager at (803)545-3241 or send an email to Gary.Porth@columbiasc.gov! To register for this event, click here!

Richland Library EiR Presents: How to Design a Business That You Love
2024-02-21 18:00 - 19:00 | Richland Library Main – Auditorium, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Richland Library’s Entrepreneur-in-Residence (EiR) Michele Dugar will present How to Design a Business That You Love on Wednesday, February 21st at 6:00PM!
During this presentation, Michele will teach participants on how to align your passion and purpose with profit and address ways to avoid feeling overwhelmed in the process!
For more information and to register, click here to go to Richland Library’s EiR webpage!

Toms Creek Family Farms Mobile Market Press Conference
2024-02-22 11:00 - 12:00 | City of Columbia Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia is pleased to announce the launch of the Toms Creek Family Farms Mobile Food Market!
A press conference will be held on Thursday, February 22nd at 11:00AM at the City of Columbia’s Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Avenue, Columbia, SC 29203.
To read more, click here to the City of Columbia’s Press Release!

Understanding Your Bonding Capacity: How to Open Doors to Contracting Opportunities
2024-02-26 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) is beginning their 2024 Business Workshop Academy Build-Grow-Scale will host a virtual lunch and learn workshop on Monday, February 26, 2024 beginning at 12:00PM called Understanding Your Bonding Capacity: How to Open Doors to Contracting Opportunities.
Presenter Peter C. Gibbs will provide participants information and resources on what you need to know as a contractor. To register for this event, click here to go to Richland County OSBO’s Zoom registration page!

Catalyst B2B Matchmaking Event for the Defense Sector
2024-02-27 09:00 - 13:00 | Pastides Alumni Center, 900 Senate Street, Columbia, SC, United States
The South Carolina Department of Commerce (SC Commerce), South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce (DEW), and the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (SC MEP) are pleased to host the Catalyst Advanced Manufacturing Assistance Program Matchmaker.
South Carolina’s small and medium-sized suppliers will have the opportunity to connect with the state’s primes, OEMs, and Tier-1 suppliers to increase the amount of DoD-related business opportunities available to them. For more information and to register, click here!

ERTC and City of Columbia Information Session
2024-02-27 10:00 - 10:30 | Online Webinar
The City of Columbia is partnering with the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) on Tuesday, February 27th to host a webinar on learning more information on the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). For more information and to register, click here to go to the ERTC website or contact ERTC at (855)648-2955!

City of Columbia's Planning & Development Services: Development Deep Dive
2024-02-29 09:30 - 10:30 | Richland Library Main – Auditorium, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join the City of Columbia’s Planning & Development Services and Engineering for a Development Deep Dive on Thursday, February 29th beginning at 9:30AM.
During this session, participants will meet Planning and Development staff and learn about topics of interest to professional working in development and construction in the City of Columbia.
To RSVP for this event, send an email to City of Columbia’s Planning & Development department or if you have any questions or want more information contact them at (803)545-3426!

4th Annual International Women in Business Day
2024-03-08 11:00 - 13:00 | Mota Crosslinking Business Academy, 633 12th Street, West Columbia, SC, 29169, United States
Mota Crosslinking Business Academy will host the 4th Annual SC International Women In Business Day luncheon on Friday, March 8th beginning at 11:00AM. For more information or tickets contact Mota Crosslinking Business Academy at (803)834-3448 or (803)220-6372. You can also click on the link indicated in blue to send an email.

Backing Small Businesses Grant Program
2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
In partnership with American Express, the Backing Small Business Grant Program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their businesses by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.
Applications will be accepted from 9:00AM CST (10:00AM EST) on March 14th through April 7, 2024 at 11:59PM CST (12:59AM EST).
To learn more about this program, click here to register for the informational webinar that will be held on Wednesday, March 13th beginning at 11:00AM CST (12:00PM EST).

Federal Tax Updates For Your Small Business
2024-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be hosting the Federal Tax Updates For Your Small Business webinar on Thursday, March 14th. Senior Stakeholder Liaison, Evette Davis from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will be providing important information and resources to small business owners on preparing for the 2024 tax season!
For more information and to register, click here to go to our Eventbrite page!

Show Me The Money: How to Finance Your Business
2024-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Virtual Event
The Richland County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is hosting the Show Me The Money: How To Finance Your Business webinar on Saturday, March 23rd beginning at 10:00AM via Zoom.
Mr. Allen Brown of the SC Community Loan Fund and OBO Director, Ayesha Driggers will be participating in this event. For more information and to register, click here to go to the event registration page!

Richland School District 2 Small and Minority Businesses Reverse Trade Show
2024-03-26 09:30 - 12:00 | Richland Two Institute Of Innovation (R2i2), 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC, 29229, United States
Richland School District 2 will be hosting its inaugural Small and Minority Businesses Reverse Trade Show on Tuesday, March 26th at Richland 2 Institute of Innovation (R2i2), 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia, SC. For more information and to register, click here to go to the Richland 2 Small and Minority Businesses Reverse Trade show webpage!

Bridging the Generational Gap in the Workplace: The Acquisition and Retention of Generation Z
2024-03-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Earlewood Park Community Center, 1113 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be hosting the Bridging The Generational Gap in the Workplace Series: The Acquisition and Retention of Generation Z on Wednesday, March 27th virtually and in person at the Earlewood Park Community Center!
Tyson K. Brown, Executive Director of Project OneWay will discuss how small business owners can use different tools to help acquire and keep Generation Z employees!
For more information and to register, click here to go to OBO’s Eventbrite page or contact the Office of Business Opportunities at (803)545-3950.

City of Columbia and U.S. Small Business Administration Small Business Town Hall
2024-03-28 09:00 - 11:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, 29201
The City of Columbia and the U.S. Small Business Administration will be hosting a Small Business Town Hall on Thursday, March 28th at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center!
Join the City of Columbia and the U.S. Small Business Administration for this informative event to provide information and resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs! For more information and to register, click here to go to the Office of Business Opportunities Eventbrite page!

Deeper Than Dentistry Presents Healthcare Career Summit
2024-04-13 09:30 - 13:00 | Pastides Alumni Center, 900 Senate Street, Columbia, SC, United States
The Deeper Than Dentistry’s Healthcare Career Summit: Empowering the Next Generation will take place on Saturday, April 13th at the USC Alumni Center, 900 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201.
This event aims to expose bright minds to the dynamic world of healthcare and ignite a passion to serve others through medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and more. For more information or to register, click here to go to the Deeper Than Dentistry’s Eventbrite page!

Columbia Lender Matchmaker Event
2024-04-30 10:00 - 14:00 | Richland Library Main – Auditorium, 1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Office of Business Opportunities along with Midlands SCORE, Benedict College Women’s Business Center, SBA Veterans Business Outreach Center, and Richland Library will be participating in the Columbia Lender Matchmaker Event hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration!
Join us for this event to meet one-on-one with SBA lenders and community resource partners on Tuesday, April 30th at the Richland Library Main Auditorium! For more information, click here to go to the Richland Library Events page!

City of Columbia's 11th Annual Small Business Week Conference
2024-05-01 09:00 - 15:30 | Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbia Greystone, 200 Stoneridge Drive, Columbia, SC, 29210, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be hosting the City of Columbia’s 11th Annual Small Business Week Conference on Wednesday, May 1st at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbia Greystone!
This year’s keynote speaker will be Dr. Stephanie Kirkland, CEO and Founder of Identity Dynamics, LLC. Also, social media expert Ken Walker will serve as our Master of Ceremony! During the conference, there will be breakout sessions with community resource partners and local business owners on topics relating to small business owners and entrepreneurs. Also, the U.S. Small Business Administration will have their awards ceremony and matchmaking session beginning at 11:30AM!
For more information and to purchase a ticket, click here to go to OBO’s Eventbrite page!

Food Trucks & Friends
2024-05-03 11:00 - 15:00 | 2300 Bull Street, 2300 Bull Street, Columbia, SC, United States
The City of Columbia will host Food Trucks & Friends on Friday, May 3rd from 11:00AM to 3:00PM at 2300 Bull Street (REI Co-op Parking Lot)!
In addition to food trucks, Toms Creek Mobile Market and Columbia Animal Services will be participating. Shop for groceries, check out a local food truck, or adopt a new best friend!
For more information, contact the Office of Business Opportunities at (803)545-3950.

Boost Your Business: Apprenticeships and Workforce Resources for Small Businesses
2024-05-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Colleton County School District, 500 Forest Circle, Walterboro, SC, 29488, United States
Are you a small business owner ready to grow your team’s talent? Are you trying to grow your business instead of juggling endless roles? Apprenticeship Carolina will be hosting information sessions across the state in May! Participants will have the opportunity to network with small business owners and applicable resources to enhance their ability to grow and upskill your organization’s talent through registered apprenticeship!
The sessions will be held at the following locations and dates:
May 7, 2024 – Colleton County School District, Walterboro, SC
May 29, 2024 – Brookland Baptist Banquet & Conference Center, West Columbia, SC
June 4, 2024 – Student Success Center, Greenville Technical College, Greenville, SC
Click on one of the links above to register for the session near you!
For any questions or more information, contact Kirsten Pratt, Associate VP, Division of Apprenticeship Carolina, SC Technical College System at (803)545-4938!

Bookkeeping 101
2024-05-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Columbia Empowerment Zone Building, 1509 Lady Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities and Made With Cola Love will host the Bookkeeping 101 workshop on Tuesday, May 7th beginning at 10:00AM at the Columbia Empowerment Zone building, 1509 Lady Street!
Join Dr. Shelia Tutwieler-Dawkins on this informative workshop on bookkeeping for small businesses and entrepreneurs! For more information and to register, you can go to the Bookkeeping 101 Eventbrite page!

Columbia Chamber Small Business Breakout
2024-05-21 08:30 - 09:30 | Segra Park – Columbia Fireflies Stadium, 1640 Freed Street, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
The Columbia Chamber of Commerce will have its May Small Business Breakout on Tuesday, May 21st beginning at 8:30AM at Segra Park!
In the spirit of Small Business Month, the Chamber will recognize our local small businesses and their impact through the Championship program. Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union will sponsor five (5) businesses with Columbia Chamber partnership dues for a year and the signing ceremony for those businesses!
For more information, click here to register on the Columbia Chamber website!

Boost Your Business: Apprenticeships and Workforce Resources for Small Businesses
2024-05-29 10:00 - 13:00 | Brookland Banquet and Conference Center, 1066 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC, 29169, United States

Boost Your Business: Apprenticeships and Workforce Resources for Small Businesses
2024-06-04 08:30 - 11:30 | Student Success Center, Greenville Technical College, 506 S Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville, SC, 29607, United States

Small Business Development Summer Session
2024-06-04 09:00 - 12:00 | Midlands Technical College Fairfield Campus, 1674 U.S. 321 Bypass, Winnsboro, SC, 29180, United States
Join the SC Department of Commerce in collaboration with the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, June 4th for their Small Business Development Summer Session! Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SC District Office), SC Department of Employment and Workforce (SC DEW), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for this informative session on marketing your business, insuring your business, and providing information on income tax filings!
For more information, contact the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce at info@chamberfc.com or call their office at (803)635-4242. You can also go to the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce website!
