Following a series of meetings with the general public on flood recovery funding, Richland County officials will seek input from the local business community on how to spend the $23.5 million federal grant awarded to the County this year.
The Richland County Business and Stakeholder Meeting is coordinated by Richland County Councilmen Jim Manning, District 8, and Vice Chair Greg Pearce, District 6. The inclusion of the local business community is vital as County officials outline a flood recovery action plan for the $23.5 million federal funding awarded to the County by the Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program.
“As our communities continue to recover, it’s important to make sure our local businesses are given the opportunity to make their needs known,” said Manning, recently named chair of the County’s Office of Small Business Opportunity Ad Hoc Committee. “They provide the daily services, jobs and economic base our residents depend on.”
The meeting, which also will be streamed live on the County’s website, will be held 3 p.m.-4 p.m. Friday, July 22 in Council Chambers, located on the second floor of the County Administration Building at 2020 Hampton St., Columbia.
Business owners can attend the meeting or take part virtually at www.rcgov.us. During the session, virtual attendees can send comments or questions to County officials two ways:
· Text 803-240-4699
· Use hashtag #RCRecovery on Facebook and Twitter
“We need the local business community to know that we’re here for them,” Pearce said. “This upcoming meeting is a forum for business owners to ask questions and get the information they need to find success in the County’s flood recovery process."
In addition to the business stakeholder meeting, Richland County Community Development, in conjunction with Lexington County and the City of Columbia, is holding three flood recovery meetings targeting veterans, homeless agencies, nonprofits and the local school districts.
Richland County officials also held a series of meetings for the general public, seeking residents’ input about the flood recovery projects they’d like to see take priority with the federal grant money.
For the latest flood recovery information in Richland County, visit www.rcgov.us/floodrecovery and follow Richland County on Facebook (@RichlandSC) and Twitter (@RichlandSC).