News
Office of Small Business Opportunity Newsletter
Small Business Certification Workshop - Why Get Certified?
Dozens of small and local business owners attended a workshop Wednesday morning to learn about the benefits of becoming certified with the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO). Panelists with Cheryl Cook, Certification and Compliance Specialist, Richland County OSBO included Michael V. Corp, Deputy District Director, Small Business Administration; Anthony R. Cromartie, DBE Certification Program Manager, SC Department of Transportation; Pamela Green, Director, SC Division of Small & Minority Business Contracting & Certification; and Tammie Greene, SourceSC Program Manager, SC Department of Commerce.
Richland County has a new web address! Visit us at richlandcountysc.gov
Upcoming Event at Richland County Library Main
Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Certification Information Session
Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity will come to the library on Thursday, May 17, to discuss the benefits of obtaining SLBE certification, and how it can benefit Richland County businesses. Small local business opportunities include, but are not limited to construction, architectural, engineering, professional services, non-professional services and wholesale services. Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) will be offering eligibility instructions to the small local business community in Richland County on how they can apply and become a Certified SLBE to do business with the County. Register online.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Business, Careers and Research Classroom, Main
For more information contact:
Andrena King, GCDF, CCSP
Workforce Development Specialist, Business, Careers and Research Center | Richland Library
1431 Assembly Street | Columbia, SC 29201
(p) 803.988.0880 (f) 803.929.3476
Richland County Participates in Small Business Week
Richland County Council Chair Joyce Dickerson, District 2 (pictured speaking), and employees of the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) participated in the City of Columbia’s 6th Annual Small Business Week Conference.
This event provides an opportunity for local businesses to hear success stories from small business experts and learn about entrepreneurial resources available through local governments, state agencies and other organizations. Richland County's OSBO staff provided information about the tools it offers to help small, local businesses become qualified competitors for Richland County contracts. For more information, click here.
Additional SLBE Information
Richland-Lexington Airport ("District") Request for Proposal ("RFO")
The Richland-Lexington Airport District (“District”) through this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) invites written proposals from qualified Contractors (“Contractors”) to provide LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES at the Airport Commerce Center (“ACC”).
The point of contact for this RFP is Ms. Lindsay Parks, Properties Manager, and can be reached at the following email address: l.parks@flycae.com
All proposals must be delivered by 2:00 p.m. EDT, April 30, 2018.
To see the attached RFP for more details click here.
How Your County Works: Business Licenses
The March 15 deadline is fast approaching for Richland County's 10,000 businesses and contractors to renew their licenses, giving them the green light to continue providing the services that keep the local economy strong.
Business licenses are key to public safety and help ensure businesses – including home-based businesses – are legitimate and operating in compliance with all Richland County codes. Businesses are required to renew their license every year. The fee for a license is calculated based on gross revenue, type of business and location. In Richland County, the median bill for a business license is $67.17, and 79 percent of all business license bills are $500 or less.
"Business licenses aren’t just another government tax,” said Pam Davis, manager of the Richland County Business Service Center. “A business license helps potential customers recognize that the business is complying with regulations that keep everyone safe.”
Click here to read more about how business licenses work. Or, for more information, contact the Business Service Center here.
Business Owners Reminded to Renew Their Business Licenses
Richland County business owners are reminded to renew their business licenses and are encouraged to do so online in order to save time and receive a $10 discount.
All Richland County business licenses expired Dec. 31, 2017. It’s important for business owners – especially those who operate out of homes – to understand the necessity of obtaining an up-to-date license. The deadline for acquiring a 2018 business license without penalties is March 15. To renew Richland County business licenses online, visit richlandcountysc.gov/bsc. For more information, email bsc@richlandcountysc.gov or call 803-576-2287.
Featured Story Criteria
Professional Business Article, must include minimum but not limited to:
- Two hundred and fifty (250-400) words
- Mission and/or Vision statement(s)
- Industry Category, NAICS Code(s)
- List Certification
- Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE)
- Years of Operation
- Richland County District Number
- Photo of firm on job site (Logo visible) or Logo Photo
- Formatted .jpeg or .png
- Landscape, size 8.5” x 5”
- Business website address
- Minimal editing required upon submission