Richland County holds Opportunity Day for small businesses

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The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity will hold its third Engage Richland Opportunity Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the R212 Conference Center at 763 Fashion Drive, Columbia.

The event is open to the public and will feature employment agencies available for interviews on site, panel discussions on procurement and workforce development and access to federal, state and local procurement opportunities.

“We are excited to present this event for the small-business community,” said OSBO manager Erica Wade. “We recognize the need for additional resources in contracting opportunities for small businesses, but equally important is the need to connect our local workforce to available job opportunities.”

The first half of the event will include a panel discussion for small-business owners on navigating challenges with procurement and workforce development. The second will focus on matchmaking for procurement and job opportunities and feature an event matching small business owners with Richland County departments in need of supplies and services.

Keynote speaker John B. Gethers, COVID-19 business consultant for Columbia Area Small Business Development Centers, will discuss establishing business credit.

A vendor village during the event will feature various businesses, schools and county partners sharing information and training opportunities.

To prepare for the event, job seekers are encouraged to take copies of their resume, capability statement and business cards and be ready to discuss job opportunities with employment agencies.

To register to attend, go to bit.ly/RCOppDay.

For more information, contact OSBO at 803-576-1540 or osbo@richlandcountysc.gov.