08.08.2023

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66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
Sunrise 7:30 a.m. | Sunset 5:32 p.m.

Network to increase your net worth

Resources for local businesses around the Midlands through Chamber of Commerce organizations

Mural in the Columbia Chamber | Photo by @lacey_does

We asked our readers what local resources they’d like to know more about and Michelle N. asked, “Are there resources out there to help small businesses grow or just get started?”

Good news, Michelle — we have a full business resource guide that tells you where to start, how to get plugged in locally, helps you find financial resources, and more.

If you want to take it a step further, own a local business, or are interested in community resources, the local chamber of commerce might be a good fit for you.

Have you heard of the saying, “it takes a village?” Well, chamber of commerce organizations were created on a similar thought that it takes a village for a business to succeed. The chamber provides resources that you didn’t know you needed or could have access to.

Being involved in the local chamber is one way to amplify your reach and grow your network. Think: an in-person LinkedIn experience. Locally, there is the Columbia Chamber, which brings 1,100 businesses together in an effort to connect, engage, impact, and transform the local business environment.

The Columbia Chamber also advocates on behalf of local businesses, provides leadership opportunities, supports economic development initiatives, helps with student and career development, offers a wide variety of events every month, and much more.

If your business is in one of Columbia’s surrounding communities, don’t forget to check out the:

These organizations provide similar services and resources but on a hyper-local level.

For statewide support and resources, there’s the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. The organization’s goal is to provide the best business opportunities + create a big impact for businesses in the state. It promotes pro-job and pro-business policies, through coordinated strategies, training opportunities, and networking events.

Asked

Which local business resources have been the most helpful to you?

Calling all small or local business owners — we want to hear from you.

Help us help other businesses

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 8

Toucan Tuesday at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | Price of admission | This is your last chance to receive buy-one get-one admission + buy-one get-one icees with a donation of two non-perishable food items.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Charleston RiverDogs | Tuesday, Aug. 8 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Miller Lite $2 Tuesday ($2 Hot dogs, popcorn, fountain sodas & 12oz Miller Lites) // Prisma Health Night*

Wednesday, Aug. 9

The Market at Richland Library | Wednesday, Aug. 9 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Shop your community to get fresh produce, meet your new favorite author or pick out an interesting piece of art.

Thursday, Aug. 10

Storytime in the Garden at the Hampton-Preston Gardens | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 3:15-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion & Gardens, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy stories, songs, and activities with Richland Library and Historic Columbia staff in the Hampton-Preston Gardens.
Gatsby Gala | Thursday, Aug. 10 | 7-11 p.m. | Robinson Room, 1614a Main St., Columbia | $100-$185 | Your ticket includes welcome champagne, two cocktails crafted by skilled mixologists, passed savory plates, a charcuterie board station, and a chocolate fondue station to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Friday, Aug. 11

Clint Black | Friday, Aug. 11 | 7:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | $43-$63 | The renowned country music artist captivates audiences with his soulful voice and timeless hits.

More fun calendar events

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Open

Scooter’s Coffee, a drive-through franchise, opened a new location at 7808 Garner’s Ferry Rd. (across the street from Tractor Supply Co.) over the weekend. This is the fourth Midlands location + local business partners have six more stores in the works for this year. (Cola Daily)

Closed

Ricky’s Tire and Auto Center in West Columbia, known for its slogan “Where the hugs and the handshakes are free,” is permanently closing its doors due to financial challenges exacerbated by COVID-19. (Cola Daily)

Number

$210,000. That’s the amount Hootie & the Blowfish donated to seven SC organizations working in child welfare, arts education, and food insecurity through their foundation. Each organization will receive $10,000 annually for three years. See the list of organizations; three of which are local. (The Post and Courier)

Edu

Richland County School District One launched a new magnet program called “BLAST,” aiming to provide alternative post-graduation career paths + educate students about STEM fields. Funded with $14.9 million from the US Department of Education, the program will offer four academies beginning Wednesday, Aug. 16: pre-engineering, biomedical, cybersecurity, and aerospace. (The Post and Courier)

Outdoors

Audubon South Carolina, Friends of Congaree Swamp, and Ducks Unlimited have jointly decided to acquire a 400-acre site with almost a mile of Congaree River frontage, near the confluence of the Congaree + Wateree Rivers to protect and conserve the land. The property overlooks Congaree National Park, supporting bird migration and offering scenic views.

Food

It’s taco Tuesday and The State is inviting Soda Citizens to vote for their favorite taco spot from a list of 20 local restaurants. The poll prioritizes locally owned eateries and focuses on brick-and-mortar establishments. Voting is open until Sunday, Aug. 13.

Wellness

ICYMI, COLA Wellness — our brand new monthly wellness newsletter, brought to you in partnership with Prisma Health — just launched recently. In the first edition: 10 healthy ways to embrace summer, where to get your farmers markets fix, the best health-centered events + more. See it for yourself.

Edu

Not ready to shop for supplies, plan lunches, or return to the pick-up line just yet? Here’s a way you can start the school year on the right foot while getting your weekly groceries: Lowes Foods’ Cart to Class program, which aims to raise up to a quarter million dollars for local schools this year.*

Arts

🗝 Meet this artist with keys to the city

Meet this Columbia-born artist with national recognition, Rodney McMillian.

Meet Rodney McMillian. | Photo courtesy of the artist and Kurimanzutto Mexico City Photo by Martha Reta.

The Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art unveiled the latest art acquisitions by Rodney McMillian, a prominent Columbia-born artist now based in Los Angeles.

Fun fact — The Columbia Museum of Art is the first museum in SC to acquire McMillian’s work and this is the first time the Contemporaries have acquired two pieces at one time.

Rodney was also presented with a Key to the City of Columbia as well as a resolution from SC State House Representative Todd Rutherford.

Get to know Rodney

Rodney has made significant contributions to the world of art and culture. His artistic journey traverses an array of mediums.

Rodney’s art explores the complex and tension-filled intersections between history + present-day culture, uncovering the nuanced interplay between the two realms.

His work is showcased in esteemed public collections like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and more. He’s also the professor of sculpture and vice chair at the UCLA School of Arts and Architecture.

Both paintings will be on display beginning today in the CMA’s collection Gallery 20 and will remain on view through October.

Visit the Columbia Museum of Art

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Whether you’re a novice on the mat or an experienced yogi, the Soda City has plenty of places to practice. We are putting together a yoga guide and want to know which one is your favorite. Let us know your studio of choice and why.

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