2000 Hampton Street Suite 3014|Columbia, SC 29204|803-576-1540

RICHLAND COUNTY OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

(OSBO)

The Mission of the Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)

is to provide a race and gender neutral tool for the County to use as its effort to

ensure that all segments of its small and local business community have a reasonable and significant opportunity to compete and participate in contracts in the area

of construction, architectural, and engineering services, professional services,

non-professional services, and commodities.

Thank you for attending our 3rd Annual Engage Richland Event

SAVE MY BUSINESS

If you attended and have not completed the post event survey. Please complete the survey below.

Complete Survey

**Covid-19 Relief**

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL)

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Forgiveness

In response to the economic hardships experienced by businesses resulting from

the CV-19 pandemic, the Richland County Office of Small Business & Richland County Community, Planning, & Development is launching the

CV-19 Small Business Relief Loan Program.

The goal is to keep businesses open and retain jobs. This is a forgivable loan program in response to businesses that are at-risk of closing or laying off employees as a result of the economic downturn resulting from the Covid-19 public health emergency.

Hopkins Park

Saturday, October 9, 2021

10:00am-1:00pm

New Castle-Trenholm Acres Community Center

Wednesday, October 13, 2021

5:00pm-8:00pm

Upper Richland Community Center

280 Campground Rd

Wednesday, October 20, 2021

5:00pm-8:00pm

Friarsgate Park

1712 Chadford Rd, Irmo

Saturday, October 23, 2021

10:00am-1:00pm

Resources

Export Incentives Program	Helps small and medium-sized businesses enter new markets and/or increase their exporting activities.
SBIR/STTR Grant Matching	Matching funds to client companies that have been granted SBIR or STTR Phase I Awards.
Project Development Fund (PDF)	South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) funding for qualified companies in the SC Launch program that are not affiliated with an academic institution.
Demonstration Grant	South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) funding for a small business and/or academic partner developing a new product, distribution channel, customer or research.
Academic Startup Assistance Program (ASAP)	South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) funding for for-profit companies sponsored by an academic institution.
Acceleration Grant	South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) funding to progress a company towards commercialization and better position the company for an SC Launch, Inc. investment.
Relocation Assistance Grant	South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) funding to offset costs associated with moving a company to South Carolina.
Sephora Accelerate	Sephora Accelerateis focused on incubating founders who are people of color.
KKR Small Business Builders	The grants are designed to help business owners sustain their enterprises, maintain or create jobs, and spur economic opportunity as they respond to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis and recover from its resultant economic dislocation.
Amber Grant	Womens Net carries on that tradition, giving away at least $10,000 every month in Amber Grant money. We've also expanded our grant-giving to include other grants such as our Annual $25,000 Amber Grant.
Cyber Security Assistance	The maximum funding available to each company is $25,000, including $3,000 for participation, which will provide assistance to small- and medium-sized companies within the existing defense supply chain to help them become aware of and get on a path toward compliance with CMMC requirements.

Congratulations !!!!!

Diplomat of the Year:

Bryant Davis, MBA

Richland County Assistant Director of

Government & Community Services

Award sponsored by

Willoughby & Hoefer, P.A.

Columbia Chamber

Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)

The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Richland County Government $12.5 million to help local households that are unable to pay rent and utilities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is available through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021.

Click to Learn more or to apply for Emergency Rental Assistance

Richland County

Small Local Business Enterprise Certification Program

(SLBE)

OSBO is seeking businesses located in

Richland County to become a

Certified Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE).

Why Become Certified?

Procurement Opportunities
5 Pt Preferences on Subcontract work
Access to Technical Training and Workshops
Business Exposure through SLBE Directory
Business Coaching

How to Become Certified?

A firm can be certified as an SLBE/ESLBE upon submission of a completed certification application, supporting documentation, and a signed and notarized affidavit. affirming that it meets all of the SLBE/ESLBE eligibility criteria.

Notarized Affidavit of Certification (form downloaded from website) from each Owner
Each Owner’s Driver’s License or State Issue ID
Articles of Incorporation/Organization
SC Secretary State Certification of Existence
3 Most Current & Consecutive, Executed Federal Tax Returns
Richland County Business License (or BL Status Form & applicable municipality license)
Each Owner’s Business Resume
All Applicable Professional/Trade Licenses or Certificates
Stock Ledger & Certificates (if applicable)

To learn more about certifying your Small Business, visit our website:

Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity

or contact our office at 803-576-1540

**Participating in this program does not guarantee County contracts**

OSBO Business Academy

ADMINISTRATIVE WORKSHOPS	Past&Current Events
Workshops & Events
CV-19 Small Business Relief Grant Application Workshop	October 9, 2021 October 13, 2021 October 20,2021 October 23, 2021
"Seeds to Engage" Small Business Seed Grant Application Workshop	Workshop Dates and Times To Be Determined