Making Local Business Everybody’s Business

What a great area of the beautiful state of South Carolina we live in.  A vibrant city with clusters of growth and community in all areas.  And for every individual community, a true sense of pride, but a willingness to work together as a region to support our economic health.  We have a magnificent zoo; many wonderful museums and theaters that offer rich cultural diversity; parks, ball fields and the University of South Carolina; beautiful wild rivers and nearby Lake Murray for outdoor recreational opportunities many areas of the country only dream of! 

So much of this is so easily apparent to us, but do you ever think about who pays to keep those assets available to our community?  As governments keep giving away millions of dollars in incentives and tax breaks in the name of growth to the larger industries, that burden is mainly placed on the small local businesses that serve you every day.  And in many cases, those that don't.  I have been living or visiting Greater Columbia for all of my life, and still today I meet business owners, or happen into a business, that I either didn't know existed, or I had no idea what they did, what they could offer, to make my life easier and make their business stronger.

In our fast-paced world of thrift, it’s easy to forget about the little guy - until it’s too late! Local businesses are the backbone of the Greater Columbia community and need our support! What does it mean to see a local company close its doors? It means the loss of great products and services, the loss of local jobs, and the loss of tax revenue that funds our schools, parks, and roads! You rely on our local businesses every day - can they rely on you?

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