@columbiaOBO


MISSION: The Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) is committed to supporting initiatives that benefit small, minority, veteran, and women owned businesses located in, or that want to do business with, the City of Columbia. This is accomplished by providing creative financing,  technical assistance and capacity building opportunities that contribute to the economic growth of all communities.

COMMERCIAL RETENTION & REDEVELOPMENT:  
Financial assistance to start-up and existing businesses for growth, expansion, retention and the creation of new jobs, and assistance in the redevelopment of commercial corridors that have become significantly deteriorated within the City. 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, EDUCATION & ADVOCACY:  

Business development assistance and courses for start-ups and existing businesses looking to grow and expand covering topics including: marketing, use of social media, business plan development, finances, legal issues, and more.


CONTRACTOR & SUPPLIER DIVERSITY: 

Training and support for city initiatives designed to increase local contractor’s capacity to compete for government contracts and other procurement opportunities. We are also responsible for the implementation of the City’s Disparity Study Goals and Objectives.
Programs include: Sub-Contractor Outreach; Mentor Protégé; Local Business Enterprise; Columbia Disadvantage Business Enterprise; and Construction Management Training.



Contractors, Small & Minority-owned Business Opportunities



Contractors!  Apply NOW for 
Columbia Disadvantaged 
Business Enterprise (CDBE) Status!

Is your business:
1)  Located within the Columbia-Orangeburg-Newberry Combined Statistical Area (CSA)
2)  A Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

That's all it takes to qualify for CDBE Status - it's that simple!

Contact:  [email protected] 
or call:  803.545.3049 or 803.545.4185


Columbia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Utilization Policy
Commercial Non-Discrimination and Columbia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE) Utilization Policy

NOW AVAILABLE:
Columbia Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (CDBE) 
Program Guidelines

CDBE Application Form and Current CDBE & DBE Directories:

CDBE Application Form
CDBE Directory - Registered Columbia Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Columbia ONLY)
DBE Directory - Registered Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (Outside of Columbia ONLY)


We are waiting to hear from you:  803.545.3950 
Photographs by Stuart Miles and chainat; Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net