City of Columbia, Columbia SC

FastTrac Growth Venture
2025-02-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-11 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-18 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-02-25 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-04 18:00 - 21:00, 2025-03-11 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Midlands Technical College Northeast Campus, 151 Powell Road, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The Office of Business Opportunities is no longer accepting applications for the 2025 FastTrac Growth Venture course. If you have any questions, you can contact our office at (803)545-3950 or send an email to OBO@columbiasc.gov.
FastTrac Growth Venture is a course designed to support the entrepreneur seeking to take their existing business to a higher level. This program assists entrepreneurs in analyzing their current business condition to identify the best opportunities for growth. Budgeting, sales strategies, management team roles, operational systems and business plan implementation are key areas of emphasis. The course also facilitates networking between entrepreneurs and experienced professionals.
This training is designed to equip aspiring entrepreneurs with more in-depth business skills to grow their business successfully. 2025 is the 22nd year of the collaborative partnership between the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities and Midlands Technical College in providing the FastTrac Growth Venture training to local business owners.
To be eligible to participate in the FastTrac Growth Venture course, participants must:

Have a small business located in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, or Saluda counties.
Have a business plan or must be in operations for more than five (5) years.

Be one of the lucky few selected for this course and join the many who have successfully risen to the challenge.

5th Annual SC Celebrando Black Business Day
2025-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Mota Crosslinking Business Academy, 933 13th Street, West Columbia, 29169, United States
Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of our black community awardees who have made an impact in our communities.

Ribbon Cutting for "The Game Show Challenge"
2025-02-06 11:30 - 13:30 | The Game Show Challenge, 823 Gervais St Suite 120, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann, City of Columbia Economic Development, and the Vista Guild are hosting a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of “The Game Show Challenge” with owner Josh Brickey.
“The Game Show Challenge” is a live, interactive game show where participants solve puzzles and compete in relays as part of a live, interactive game show. “The Game Show” was created by husband and wife, Josh and Patty Brickey, who wowed thrill-seekers with their award-winning escape room, Escape Plan Columbia.
Wanting to create more magical moments in people’s lives, “The Game Show Challenge” was born in Columbia, SC, offering a hands-on experience and endless fun.

United Alliance Community Meeting
2025-02-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Living Faith Christian Center, 1540 Frye Road, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

Pro Bono Legal Clinic - Free Legal Help for You
2025-02-07 09:00 - 18:00 | Benedict College Business Development Center, 2601 Read St, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the Richland County Public Defender’s Office, and the Rainy Day Fund are hosting a free Pro Bono legal Clinic on February 7, 9:00am – 6:00pm and February 8, 10:00am-2:00pm.
Join these clinics to help remove your barriers to housing and employment by talking to a lawyer about your driving or criminal record.

Driver’s License: Reinstatement Clinic

Address unpaid traffic ticket suspensions over two years old. Excludes DUI and DUAC cases. Attendance is not required.

Bench Warrant: Resolution Clinic

Attend to non-violent general sessions bench warrants over two years old. Excludes magistrate court and summary BWFTA cases.

Additional Services:

Child Support & Family Court Q & A. Only February 7 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Expungement Information Table
Nelson Mullins Lawyers 4 Vets. Only February 7

Sign up here: February 2025 Clinic Sign Up (jotform.com)

"Respect is the Rule!": ONSE at Dreher High School Basketball game
2025-02-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Dreher High School, 3319 Millwood Ave, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
February is designated as Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, so for the second year in a row the City of Columbia Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (ONSE) is working with the Richland One Office of Dropout Prevention and Mentoring Services to spread the message that “Respect is the Rule!”
As part of this campaign, the ONSE will be present at several Richland One events, including upcoming basketball games at Dreher High School on Friday, February 7, at 7:00 PM and Eau Claire High School’s basketball game on Tuesday, February 11, at 7:00 PM.
While onsite at the schools, the ONSE staff will provide resources for youth and their families regarding violence prevention, share guidance on recognizing unhealthy relationship behaviors, in addition to accessing support services.

Pro Bono Legal Clinic - Free Legal Help for You
2025-02-08 10:00 - 14:00 | Benedict College Business Development Center, 2601 Read St, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States
The Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Office, the Richland County Public Defender’s Office, and the Rainy Day Fund are hosting a free Pro Bono legal Clinic on February 7, 9:00am – 6:00pm and February 8, 10:00am-2:00pm.
Join these clinics to help remove your barriers to housing and employment by talking to a lawyer about your driving or criminal record.

Driver’s License: Reinstatement Clinic

Address unpaid traffic ticket suspensions over two years old. Excludes DUI and DUAC cases. Attendance is not required.

Bench Warrant: Resolution Clinic

Attend to non-violent general sessions bench warrants over two years old. Excludes magistrate court and summary BWFTA cases.

Additional Services:

Expungement Information Table

Sign up here: February 2025 Clinic Sign Up (jotform.com)
For questions please contact (803) 250-1772 or email clinics@rainydayfund.us

Jump Start Your Heart Day Party
2025-02-08 11:00 - 14:00 | Charles Drew Wellness Center, 2101 Walker Solomon Way, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States
February is National Heart Month and in conjunction with the Go Red movement, which encourages awareness of heart disease and heart health, the City of Columbia will hold the second annual “Jump Start your Heart” Day Party”, Saturday, February 8 from 11am-2pm, at the Drew Wellness Center.
The “Jump Start Your Heart” Day Party will feature a variety of FREE activities including health screenings, massages, giveaways, health related exhibitors, workouts and more!

11:15 AM: Yoga
11:45 AM: PVOLVE Workout
12:15 PM: Vendors/Games
12:30 PM: Zumba
1:00 PM: Jamie Scott Fitness
1:30 PM: HIIT Workout
1:45 PM: Explore Vendors

The exhibitors will be open for the entire duration of the event for individuals who just want to drop in and get educational/health related information and materials.
There is no cost to participate, but registration is encouraged.
Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1205583285059?aff=oddtdtcreator

"Respect is the Rule!": ONSE at Eau Claire High School Basketball Game
2025-02-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Eau Claire High School, 4800 Monticello Rd, Columbia, 29203, United States

Reading Day
2025-02-13 08:00 - 23:00 | Perry Middle School, 2600 Barhamville Rd, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States

Columbia Talent Retention Fair
2025-02-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Join us for an energetic hiring event designed for job seekers aged 18 and older—especially college students looking for entry-level positions, internships, and seasonal opportunities. Meet recruiters from a variety of industries looking for fresh talent like you. Explore new opportunities and discover roles that match your skills and goals. Build connections that could shape your future career. Whether you’re starting your job search, exploring career paths, or just curious about what’s out there, this event is your gateway to success!

Youth Service Providers Meet-Up
2025-02-17 11:00 - 12:30 | columbia police, 5471 Leesburg Rd, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States

Belmont Community Meeting
2025-02-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Gable Oaks Community Resource Center, 901 Colleton St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States

City Funding for Non-Profit Events Seminar
2025-02-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The Non-Profit Events Seminar hosted by the City of Columbia will help event managers learn about funding programs through the City of Columbia and identifying information that sponsors need to increase the probability of funding.
The seminar will be taught by Harold Reaves, City of Columbia Special Events Coordinator, Laura S. Truell, Instructor of Sport and Entertainment Management at USC, and Tina Saxon, Grants Coordinator for the City of Columbia.
Click here to reister!
This is the second workshop within a series of workshops designed to assist and prepare event managers with planning, producing, and administering their events. Topical areas for this series will include Event Management 101, Staffing, Risk Management/Liability, Insurance, and Potential Sponsorship/Funding.

Homebuyer Workshop
2025-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Hampton Park Community Center, 1117 Brandon Ave, Columbia, 29209, United States
The City of Columbia Community Development Department is hosting a homebuyer workshop at the Hampton Park Community Center on February 20, 2025 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm.
Topics of Discussion will include:

How to purchase a house on a budget
Understanding home mortgage process budgeting
Housing loan programs

Register for the event here: Home Buying Workshop, Credit Counseling & Budgeting (columbiasc.gov)
For more information, contact Community Development at (803) 545-3373 or email at housingloanprograms@columbiasc.gov.

Grand Finale Black History Parade & Festival
2025-02-22 13:00 - 18:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2300 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
Join us for the Grand Finale Black History Parade & Festival! We will be celebrating our 20th year with Actress & Comedienne Annie McKnight, and the Grand Marshal 2025 will be the Honorable Senator Maggie Glover.
The Black History Parade will begin at Hampton & Harden St, and the Festival will take place at MLK Park, 2300 Greene St. Columbia SC.
This year marks the GRAND FINALE of our beloved 20-year tradition, the Statewide Black History Parade and Festival! This milestone event will be a powerful and unforgettable celebration, filled with vibrant displays of African American heritage and contributions, both past and present.
As we culminate two decades of honoring Black history and community unity, the 2025 parade npromises to be our most dynamic gathering yet, featuring extraordinary floats, historical portrayals, cultural performances, and a diverse array of community participants from across the state. This Grand Finale will showcase our collective journey, celebrating our shared progress while inspiring everyone to stay active and engaged in shaping our future.
For questions call (803) 361-5470 or email fundsinc@fundsinc1.org

Governor's Juvenile Justice Advisory Council Quarterly Meeting
2025-02-28 10:30 - 12:00

Ribbon Cutting for PowerHouse Cycle and Fitness
2025-03-01 10:00 - 23:00 | 2418 Devine Street, 2418 Devine Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
WHO: City of Columbia Economic Development, Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and City Councilwoman Aditi Bussells
WHAT: PowerHouse Cycle and Fitness will be hosting their upcoming grand opening on Saturday, March 1 at 10:00 a.m. at their new location at 2418 Devine Street. They will be hosting a morning of fitness, fun, and community, with free classes, local vendors, food, drinks, and music. PowerHouse is founded by a woman who knows what it takes to overcome obstacles and build something meaningful, and the business reflects the values of resilience, empowerment, and inclusion.
At PowerHouse Cycle and HIIT, their story is rooted in a passion for fitness and community. Founded with the vision of creating a personal training studio that emphasizes both physical transformation and emotional connection, they cater to a diverse range of fitness enthusiasts. Their unique approach combines HIIT circuit training, strength training classes, and an energizing cycling studio to inspire their members.

SCORF Community Events
2025-03-01 11:00 - 14:00 | Bellfield Center, 2611 Grant St, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
The ONSE is partnering with A Second Chance Resource Center and other community partners to host a community resource fair to bring awareness to the opioid epidemic. The event will feature service providers, printed materials, Narcan and other opioid overdose reversing drugs, as well as an opportunity for referral as well as case management services. This event is free to the public and registration is not required.

Groundbreaking for Single-Family Home Development in Jones McDonald Neighborhood
2025-03-06 10:00 - 13:00 | 1725 Ogden Street, 1725 Ogden St, Columbia, SC, 29204, United States

NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs
2025-03-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Busby Community Center, 1735 Busby St, Columbia, 29203, United States
The Office of Business Opportunities is no longer accepting applications for the 2025 NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course. If you have any questions, feel free to contact our office at (803) 545-3950 or send an email to OBO@columbiasc.gov.
NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs Course
The NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course is training that prepares entrepreneurs to compete, win, and survive in the market place. It is designed for businesses with less than five employees. Participants learn how to choose a business idea, develop a business plan, develop a marketing plan, understand market analyses, explore financing options, assess risk management, develop a customer’s service philosophy, as well as other relevant entrepreneurial skills.
To be eligible to participate in the NxLevel For Micro Entrepreneurs course, participants:

Can reside or have their small business located in Calhoun, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lexington, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, or Saluda counties.
In the process of starting a small business or have been in operations for two (2) years or less.

Ribbon Cutting for Big Dave's Cheesesteaks
2025-03-08 12:00 - 13:30 | 942-B Harden Street, 942-B Harden Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, United States
WHO: City of Columbia Economic Development, Five Points Association, Councilman Ed McDowell and franchise owners Marc and Kiera Brown and Frank and Courtney Williams
WHAT: Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks will be hosting their upcoming grand opening of their Columbia location on Saturday, March 8 at 12:00 p.m. at 942-B Harden Street.
Franchise owner Marc Brown is a respected personal injury attorney and the proud owner of the Marc Brown Law Firm, one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing legal practices, recently ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list for 2024. His wife, Dr. Kiera Brown, is a dedicated local pharmacist. Fellow franchise owner, Frank Williams III, also known as Shuler King, is a nationally recognized comedian and runs his family’s legacy business, Williams Funeral Home in Sumter, SC. His wife, Courtney, a former flight attendant, now serves as a life coach. Marc and Frank, both hailing from Sumter, South Carolina, and Kiera, a native of Philadelphia, all share a deep connection to the state, having graduated from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Their decision to franchise with Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks was driven first and foremost by the exceptional quality of the food—truly remarkable in every way. But it’s more than just great food. The brand resonates with their values, aligning perfectly with their commitment to giving back to the community, supporting entrepreneurship, and creating opportunities for others. As proud Columbia residents and USC alumni, the Five Points community holds a special place in their hearts. Opening their first location here is a true honor, as the area is both nostalgic and poised for exciting growth.

Small Business Workshop: Foundations for Success
2025-03-12 10:00 - 12:30 | Earlewood Park, 1113 Recreation Drive, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
Join the Office of Business Opportunities on March 12th for this informative and educational small business workshop during Women’s History Month!

The City of Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities will be hosting Foundations For Success: Building and Growing Your Small Business on Wednesday, March 12th beginning at 10:00AM at the Earlewood Park Community Center!
Tosha Dash, CEO of S.H.E. Dreams Consulting will host a dynamic two-hour workshop designed to empower entrepreneurs with the essential tools to structure, launch, and grow their businesses. Through interactive sessions, you’ll gain clarity on your vision, learn key strategies for business structuring, and walk away with actionable tools – including a vision statement worksheet, a business plan template, and a 30-day goal-tracking journal. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your foundation, this workshop will equip you with the knowledge and resources to build a sustainable and successful business.
Click here to register!
For more information, contact Kalenna Ginyard, OBO Program Compliance Specialist at (803)545-3950 or email the office at OBO@columbiasc.gov!

Downtown Strategic Plan & Guidelines Public Open Houses
2025-03-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St, Columbia, SC, 29201, United States
Mark your calendars – we’re hosting two public open houses on Wednesday, March 12! These drop-in format open houses are a chance to review the draft guidelines, which are a key deliverable of the planning process that have the potential to shape Downtown Columbia’s built environment for years to come.
Both the draft guidelines and draft plan document will be made available on the project website prior to the open house; we’ll be sending a reminder email once they’ve been posted to those of you signed up for our Downtown Columbia email list, so be sure to sign up for that sublist if you want to receive a reminder!
There are two options to engage with the team:
Wednesday, March 12
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
About the planning effort
The City of Columbia launched the Downtown Columbia Strategic Plan and Design Guidelines planning process in early 2024. Through this effort, the project team has worked with the Columbia community to discern a refreshed vision for the quality of the built environment Downtown. It has been 25 years since the adoption of the City Center Master Plan and more than 15 years since the adoption of the Innovista Master Plan. In the years since these plans were adopted, much has changed: major infrastructure projects have been completed or are underway, thousands of housing units have been built, the City adopted a new Unified Development Ordinance and Comprehensive Plan (Columbia Compass), the Covid-19 pandemic has shifted the way people use downtowns, and lastly, transportation trends have created new shared and electric alternatives.
This new Strategic Plan for Downtown Columbia will:

Create a community-driven vision for the public character of Downtown.
Establish priorities for public policy and public investment in the Downtown built environment.
Protect the unique character and assets of the historic urban core.
Form the basis for Downtown Design Guidelines to help shape great public spaces.

More information about the planning process is available on the project website: https://planninganddevelopment.columbiasc.gov/downtown/

Community Resource Fair
2025-03-12 11:00 - 14:00 | 5909 N. Main Street, 5909 N, Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29203, United States
Looking for support with housing, mental & physical health, food assistance, and more? We’ve gathered local experts and resources to help you.
The ONSE is partnering with the Wiley Kennedy Center and other community partners to host a community resource fair that focuses on supportive services. The event will feature over 30 service providers, printed materials, and the opportunity for service referrals as well as case management. Services will cover the fields of mental health, workforce development, treatment and recovery services, housing, education, and other supportive services. This event is free to the public, registration is not required, and lunch will be provided.
For more info, contact:

Gwendolyn Singletaty at gsingletary@wileykennedy-foundation.org or (803) 704-4149
Keisha Washington at Keisha.Washington@columbiasc.gov or (803) 735-6914.
