Start here

• Register your business with South Carolina.
• If you’ve already registered your business, apply for a license within the City of Columbia.
• Read through its Welcome Packet for new businesses — it will give you an overview of what to expect after applying for a business license, help you understand taxes, and more.

Get plugged in locally

• Explore Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunities website.
• Join a local club or association.
• If you want to take your business to the next level + work toward becoming a Fortune 500 company, get involved with this Columbia-based collaborative partnership.

Attend community events

• Attend events, like 1 Million Cups, or join + attend our city’s many Chambers of Commerce. Fun fact: the Columbia Chamber of Commerce has operated in Columbia for over 120 years.
• Pro tip — Richland Library hosts various events that cater to entrepreneurs.

Find local financial resources

• Apply for a commercial loan.
• Explore potential grants.

• Gallabrae | Friday, May 26-Saturday, May 27 | Times vary | Downtown Greenville & Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Hwy., Greenville | $20 | Be Scottish for a day and celebrate Celtic culture with bagpipes, heavy athletic competitions, a car show, and more at one of the biggest Scottish Games in the region.*
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Friday, May 26 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Copa de la Diversión Weekend pres by Southern Recipe Small Batch // Chicharrones Soccer Scarf Giveaway (first 1000 fans) // Soccer Night*

• YMCA of Columbia Race to Remember | Saturday, May 27 | 7-10 a.m. | Downtown YMCA, 1447 Hampton St., Columbia | $15-$50 | This race is great for all levels of ability and ages — participants are encouraged to carry a flag or wear dog-tags to remember and honor military personnel.
• 803 Nerd Fest | Saturday, May 27 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | NoMa Warehouse + Black Nerd Mafia have teamed up to bring you a full day of the nerdiest fun you could imagine.
• South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival | Saturday, May 27 | 12-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Fair, 901 George Rogers Blvd. Gate 6, Columbia | $5-$50 | This event will feature 30 of the most popular local food trucks and 50+ national craft beers.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Saturday, May 27 | 6:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Copa de la Diversión Weekend pres by Southern Recipe Small Batch // Post-Game Fireworks*

• Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Sunday, May 28 | 5:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Copa de la Diversión Weekend pres by Southern Recipe Small Batch // Sunday Funday (pre-game autographs & post-game kids run the bases)*
• Aristocrat Pre-Memorial comedy party | Sunday, May 28 | 3:30 p.m. | The Aristocrat, 1001 Washington St., Columbia | $15 | Prepare yourself for a fun time with great comics, yummy brunch, and bottomless mimosas.

• Kale: Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen? Find out.
• Papaya: Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen? Find out.
• Tomatoes: Dirty Dozen or Clean Fifteen? Find out.

• $2 million. That’s the outstanding balance for unpaid parking tickets around Cola. The City of Columbia is changing the way they collect ticket debt + your car can be barnacled if you have at least three tickets, you owe $100 or more, and if your tickets are at least 30 days old. (The State)
• Five percent. That’s how much Lexington County is looking to raise property taxes, which would be the first increase in a decade. If passed on July 1, the increase would affect county residents, including municipalities. (The Post and Courier)

• “Contrary to what you might have thought, Sandstorm was not first played during the 2009 game against Ole Miss.” Connor Tapp — the author of a USC sports history newsletter — traces the origin of USC’s EDM anthem in this article. Sam here. This is so worth a read.

• The busy Memorial Day travel is nearly here, and if you’re spontaneously looking for somewhere to get away for the weekend, read our guide to five beach destinations near Columbia, outfit with pro tips and parking options.

• Riverbanks Zoo is partnering with Harvest Hope Food Bank for Toucan Tuesdays, returning June 6 + running through August 8. Every Tuesday, guests will receive buy-one-get-one admission + ICEEs with a donation of two cans (or bags and boxes) of non-perishable food items.

• Haven + Co. Hair Salon is hosting a Botox & Bubbles event in collaboration with Affirmations MedSpa + McQueen Forever Permanent Jewelry. The event will be held on June 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. Enjoy discounts, Botox treatments, spray tans, drinks, and more. RSVP by May 29.

• Did you know that Columbia was the first planned city in the United States? Find out why and learn more about our city from John Sherrer, Director of Preservation for Historic Columbia and Experience Columbia SC ambassador, in this Q+A.*

• Love playing pickleball (or interested in trying it out)? This episode of MUSC Health’s Health Focus features Dr. Alec DeCastro, Associate Professor and Chief of Primary Care Sports Medicine, discussing common pickleball injuries and tips for prevention, so you can stay on your A-game.*

• How does Going work? Sign up for free, follow up to five airports, and get notified when flights are 40-90% off. Bonus: You can browse deals immediately after signing up (like a ~$575 round trip to Fiji).*