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.

• Plaza Pop-In: Party in the U.S.A. | Tuesday, July 9 | 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | Go on a scavenger hunt, borrow a tote with games and gallery activities, do a make-and-take art project, and build with the big blue blocks.
• SC Philharmonic presents Chamber Crawl | Tuesday, July 9 | 6 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Greene St., Columbia | Free | Listen as the SC Philharmonic brings small ensembles to your favorite neighborhood watering holes.

• The Iron Giant | Wednesday, July 10 | 10 a.m. | The Nickelodeon Theater, 1607 Main St., Columbia | $7 | Don’t miss the $5 concession deal for a small popcorn and drink during the Kids Summer Movies series.

• Meeting Street Artisan Market - Summer Series | Thursday, July 11 | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | For a boutique shopping experience, park, play, shop, eat, and explore the Meeting Street Artisan Market.
• ZOSO: The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience | Thursday, July 11 | 7-10 p.m. | Icehouse Amphitheater, 107 W Main St., Lexington | $13-$35 | Come hear Led Zeppelin favorites like “Whole Lotta Love” and “Stairway to Heaven.”

• Gentle Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza | Friday, July 12 | 7-8 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free | The class takes place on Boyd Plaza and can be taken on a mat or sitting in a chair; both will be provided.
• Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, July 12 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | The summer series welcomes talented singer-songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances.

• 2 tickets to Aged to Perfection, Party in the Park, and Feast by the Field Saturday + Sunday
• 3-night stay at Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites

• A new 400-500 space parking garage, 150-room boutique hotel, and 55,000 sqft of office space may be coming to Five Points. The city still needs $5 million in funds for the project + a timeline hasn’t been announced. (The Post and Courier)

• 4,301 — that’s the number of points A’ja Wilson has scored, making her the Las Vegas Aces’ all-time lead scorer. She surpassed Sophia Young-Malcom’s record during the 104-85 win over the Dallas Wings on Sunday. (CNN Sports)

• La Boheme — a boho gift boutique store in Five Points — announced it will close unless sold to a new buyer. The closing follows a social media post, sharing medical news about the owner, Ima.

• Walter Pennington, a former Columbia Fireflies player from 2021, debuted in the MLB by pitching for the Kansas City Royals. Pennington is the 25th Fireflies player to play in the MLB. (Cola Daily)

• The State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine is coming to the Koger Center for the Arts to perform “Swan Lake” on Tuesday, Jan. 14 during its 2024-25 North American Tour. Buy presale tickets with the code “Swan10" now + general public sales begin on Friday, July 12.

• Can Jadeveon Clowney return to the Pro Bowl during his Carolina Panthers homecoming? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

• Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? Yes, it sounds crazy. But it’s true. The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*

• Magnesium can help you fall asleep, manage stress, and wake up refreshed. Magnesium Breakthrough combines all seven essential forms of magnesium — get an extra 10% off now.*

Let’s back up

How to get involved