OSBO conference gives business owners opportunity to 'THRIVE'

The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) welcomed more than 400 attendees to its annual Small Business Forum, THRIVE 25, on Wednesday at The Meeting Place Church and Conference Center in Columbia. The event is an educational and networking conference for established and aspiring small-business owners. Dawn Nicole McIlwain, CEO of ProcuraFind, served as keynote speaker. Other presenters included County Council Chairwoman Jesica Mackey, Council Vice Chair Derrek Pugh, OSBO Director Pam Green, and the City of Columbia's Ayesha Driggers. After a "fireside chat" panel discussion with local entrepreneurs, attendees got to network with more than 250 businesses large and small, from Scout Motors to Ford's Fullcourt Pressure Washing.

Benefits in bloom: County helps boost demonstration garden

On Wednesday, the Richland County Master Gardeners Association celebrated the relocation and completion of Clemson Extension’s demonstration garden at Sandhill Research and Education Center in Columbia. County Council Chair Jesica Mackey, accompanied by Conservation Commissioner Charles Weber and John McKenzie of the County’s Conservation Division, attended a tour of the garden by the Master Gardeners. The garden, part of the Sandhill Children’s Garden and the Carolina Yards program, was funded by a Conservation Commission Natural Resource Grant. Carolina Yards is an initiative that encourages water conservation and environmental stewardship using sustainable gardening principles.

NEWS AROUND THE COUNTY

Planning Conference spotlights neighborhood pride

Transitions donates artwork in appreciation of partnership

On Thursday, staff from Transitions Homeless Center in Columbia presented a painting to Richland County Community Development staff. The artwork, created by a Transitions client, was donated in appreciation of the County's partnership and investment of federal funding to improve Transitions' facilities and will be displayed in the Community Development office at 2020 Hampton St., Columbia. Transitions helps homeless adults in the Midlands move into more stable and permanent housing.

UPCOMING EVENTS

RICHLAND COUNTY COUNCIL

Richland County Council conducts regular session meetings the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers. All meetings are open to the public.

Councilmembers and contact info

• District 1
  Councilman Jason Branham / 803-542-0002
• District 2
  Councilman Derrek Pugh (Vice Chair) / 803-977-4339
• District 3
  Councilwoman Tyra Little / 803-422-0203
• District 4
  Councilman Paul Livingston / 803-765-1192
• District 5
  Councilperson Allison Terracio / 803-622-6029
• District 6
  Councilman Don Weaver / 803-995-3703
• District 7
  Councilwoman Gretchen D. Barron / 803-977-4337
• District 8
  Councilwoman Tish Dozier Alleyne / 803-457-2597
• District 9
  Councilwoman Jesica Mackey (Chairwoman) / 803-977-4338
• District 10
  Councilwoman Cheryl English / 803-949-0770
• District 11
  Councilwoman Chakisse Newton / 803-973-9652

For matters pertaining to Council, you may also email the Clerk of Council or call 803-576-2060.