City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities welcomes nearly 80 local business owners to access to Capital Symposium

Nearly 80 local business owners gathered for the Office of Business Opportunities’ annual Access to Capital Symposium: The Midland’s Financing Options for Small Businesses on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. This year, the Symposium had two matchmaking sessions with up to 20 lenders. This event was a true collaboration between municipal, state and federal government along with several private partner organizations. Local business owners had an opportunity to network face-to-face with lending organizations to help assess their lending options in the most efficient way.

“As I shared with the attendees and lenders at the Access to Capital Symposium one of the main objectives is to talk about and remember articulation and positioning, said Melissa Lindler, Office of Business Opportunities director. Articulate your product and services that you’re providing make sure that you position yourself with other businesses and anchors to let them know about the heart and soul of your business.”

“I’m really encouraged by what the City of Columbia is doing, said Tony Grant, CEO, Grant Business Strategies, Inc. This is a great opportunity to bring businesses together to help them with Capital and also a great opportunity for those businesses who may need to get capital out.”

“I have learned so much today being here at the Access to Capital Symposium, said Vanessa Mota, Mota Enterprises, LLC. I want to personally thank the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities for bringing such an awesome matchmaking session to the area for businesses. Today, I brought some Latino entrepreneurs to join me as we experienced this wonderful wealth of knowledge and they too can testify that this was very helpful for their businesses.”

“I’m excited to be here today, said Marianne Kraft, Small Business Banking Specialist. As a lender, we’re not only here for commercial loans, but also to be our clients trusted advisor for everything they might need from retirement for the future, to successful planning to selling their business. We’re here to educate our potential clients to make it easier for them to start their own business or continue to run their business.”

Access to Capital Symposium: The Midland’s Financing Options for Small Businesses is a reflection of the City Council’s Vision Statement focus areas and goals.

Focus area #1: Attracting & Retaining Talent

Focus area #3: Connecting Our Community

Focus area #5: Economic Prosperity Endless Possibilities

Goal #1: Grow opportunities for entrepreneurship, business development and a skilled workforce to achieve a healthy economy.

Goal #4: Collaborate and partner with entities within the Midlands region to become the state’s prime destination for residents, visitors and businesses.