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Post of the Day
Barbie’s Dream Team is making history; nominate local women doing the same. | Post by Barbie + Mattel
March is Women’s History Month, and everyone’s getting in on the celebration. In Columbia, the Columbia City of Women highlights those who have shaped our local history, while Mattel just released its first Barbie Dream Team of global female role models (iconic, we know).
Now we want to know: who in Columbia’s business community is making history today? Nominate local women leading companies, launching ideas, and shaping the region’s future for a chance to be spotlighted in the newsletter this month.
Asked
Asked
Who’s a woman in Columbia making waves right now?
Think: founders, CEOs, innovators, entrepreneurs, or anyone leading with impact — big or small.
85. That’s how many new jobs Florida-based Cheney Brothers is bringing to Florence County with a $42.5 million expansion. The food-service distributor, which supplies meat, seafood, dairy, and equipment nationwide, is hiring — see open positions and apply today. (SCBiz)
Job
Looking for a marketing leadership role in Columbia? The University of South Carolina is hiring a Director of Marketing and Communications for the Darla Moore School of Business. The role will oversee strategy, messaging, and multi-channel campaigns. Applications are open through Thursday, March 26.
Biz
Health care remains the Midlands’ largest industry, employing more than 61,000 people. The State of South Carolina is still the region’s biggest employer, followed by Prisma Health Midlands and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina — underscoring how government and health care continue to anchor the local economy. (The Post and Courier)
Edu
A new scholarship pathway is opening for South Carolina’s top STEM students. Through a partnership between USC and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics, eligible graduates who enroll at USC and earn the Palmetto Fellows Scholarship will receive an additional $10,000 award. (SCBiz)
Announced
HCA Healthcare South Atlantic president Hugh C. Tappan will serve as the 2026 chair of the South Carolina Hospital Association. He aims to expand patient access, strengthen care across the state, and support the health care workforce. His division has invested more than $3.5 billion regionally. (SCBiz)
Plan Ahead
Columbia doctors, mark your calendars. The 2026 SCMA Annual Meeting is heading to Charleston with a condensed 2-day conference, CME programming, and an in-person Town Hall to debate policies shaping patient care. Celebrate the inauguration of SCMA President Jeffrey P. Cashman, DO, at the Gala Awards Dinner, and connect with colleagues from across the state.
We asked how you’re using AI in your business — you said most of you are using it for research and brainstorming, a few are applying it across multiple areas, and many haven’t tried local workshops yet. Check out our local AI resources to get started.
Family
Looking for overnight childcare?ACE’s Overnight Childcare Center is open seven nights a week, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 a.m. Call or text (839) 292-4847 to book your tour or enroll — plus, mention this ad and get 50% off your registration fee. Learn more.*
Featured Deal
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Events
Agenda
Editor’s Picks
Seeds of Success Summit | Tuesday, March 17 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Richland Library Main | $33+ | This year’s theme, ‘Lead With Authenticity,’ empowers women in business to connect, lead with confidence, and thrive.
Stephen G. Morrison Award 2026 | Friday, March 20 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Join One Columbia for Arts and Culture to celebrate this year’s Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award recipient, honoring leadership, creativity, and dedication to Columbia’s vibrant arts community.
Monday, March 16
SCPHA Annual Conference | Monday, March 16-Wednesday, March 18 | Times vary | Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center | $200+; discounts available for members
7193 Saint Andrews Rd. | 3,500 sqft | $699,000 | Flexible office space with private offices, a conference room, reception area, kitchenette, and storage — perfect for professional, medical, or service-oriented businesses.
108 N. Lake Dr., Lexington | 1,600 sqft | $425,000 | Centrally located commercial space near downtown Lexington, ideal for office or service use, with growth potential as the new hotel opens in 2027.
Office, for lease
4408 Forest Dr. | ~1,810 sqft | $18-$22 sqft/yr | Second-floor office with sleek finishes, free parking, monument signage, and easy access via Clemson Avenue or Forest Drive.
Industrial, for lease
101 Sparkman Dr. | ~30,000 sqft | Call for rate | Located in Columbia’s growing industrial corridor with easy I‑77 access, this facility offers dock and drive-in doors, ESFR sprinklers, and flexible space for distribution, light manufacturing, or service operations.
Retail, for lease
5 Lake Carolina Way | ~900-2,880 sqft | $17-$20 sqft/yr | Suites available in Lake Carolina’s Town Center with ample parking, access-controlled building, and easy access to shopping and major roadways.
Retail, for sale
6830 Two Notch Rd. | 4,675 sqft | $495,000 | Freestanding retail/showroom with high traffic, recently renovated facade, expanded rear parking, and 1.28-acre lot — ideal for owner-user opportunities.
Columbia’s arts community has a lot to celebrate this week. Larry Hembree has spent decades shaping Columbia’s cultural scene, and it’s fitting he’ll receive One Columbia’s 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award. The ceremony is this Friday, March 20, at the Koger Center for the Arts — Newsletter Editor David shared all the deets last week. Psst… it’s free to attend, a perfect excuse to get dressed up and celebrate a local mover and shaker.
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