[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6657571,"mediaKeyId","5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded","parentId",5070895,"title","Columbia Opportunity Resource reports membership growth, seeks help scaling Capture Columbia and hiring a staffer","audioSeconds",464,"startMs",6518485,"endMs",6982850,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded&start=6518&end=6982","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded/thumbnail_6518485.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6657571/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Columbia-Opportunity-Resource-reports-membership-growth-seeks-help-scaling-Capture-Columbia-and-hiring-a-staffer","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657571-caaa10c29b661d6dff8e39835c3777d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153599&Signature=Iu6UK7H5dTWucLpP3Z-8rkUwO1JPInmcwip244T-ghSKCGps83v1Zla7rOljOztlTjwzUW~UU6oUhpEtp~AdRbYR5~cAMwvtUb1MX6BRO7NYTNbYHsw7cyJ0k2roWXWpxuxdlet~9fFYNG62swwUK3URrhQYL~y~cyf4ixgAzV2KqxPiMFZU8LJdxxBvFjMtWjJtaYA6uFq6rhZoAyb8EtA4ms~g4VEFAeGyg6ZyYJ4X0GDDZteMq4l0qaSz6GaCE9P8lI~Oa13pIq4Q6GAEdpXGIQ6ScLeM16NZ~jTml45RItDOhha8bBekobg~binLhdlcFQoChtGudZEHyoIXtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Columbia","date","2025-06-25T03:16:56Z","article","Lee Goble, outgoing board chair of Columbia Opportunity Resource (CORE), told the City of Columbia committee that CORE has refocused on membership and talent-retention initiatives and is on track to double membership over a multi-year timeline. CORE runs Capture Columbia (student pipeline) and Crash Course Columbia (newcomer orientation) and said the programs aim to convince students and recent graduates to remain and work in Columbia.

Goble said CORE is volunteer-run and is preparing due diligence to hire a full-time staff member to ensure continuity and to scale programs. He described a recent shift of Capture Columbia from a summer schedule to spring, which increased participation from Benedict and Allen University students, and recommended running both spring and summer sessions to capture a broader student cohort.

CORE identified technical/data-tracking problems with program sign-ups and said it will hire a consultant to fix inconsistent data capture. Goble also said CORE is in talks with the Boyd Innovation Center about adopting a local volunteer sign-up platform developed by a BIC-affiliated entrepreneur to replace an out-of-state service.

\"If businesses are the 9 to 5, we're the 5 to 9,\" Goble said, underscoring CORE's role in quality-of-life and retention efforts. CORE requested more collaboration with city partners and other nonprofits to scale talent-retention initiatives; the transcript includes discussion but shows no formal vote.

CORE said next-year goals include 60+ new members, expanded program participation and completing a staff-hiring plan.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee | June 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Lee Goble, outgoing chair of Columbia Opportunity Resource (CORE), reported membership gains and urged partners to help scale student and newcomer programs, improve volunteer sign-up technology and support CORE's plans to hire a full-time staff member.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Richland County, South Carolina","taxId",3706,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657576,"Regional economic development group says \"momentum to intention,\" shares 100+ leads and plans for consultant familiarization tour",412,3183400,3595970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded&start=3183&end=3595","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded/thumbnail_3183400.jpg","/articles/6657576/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Regional-economic-development-group-says-momentum-to-intention-shares-100-leads-and-plans-for-consultant-familiarization-tour","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657576-bc7c1040cefca1209bbf95c7ae5240f4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153599&Signature=E~RrbKJQICUVYDeICUozllU4zARwut7SwcT39n2tXeiTzH-QHquT2rL1zi5arX6Xlrl98AH3gZLNv6Y0Nt3b8E1SLLGnjyFuncfz0uOCArowgmytrE8xt9y2XVMyUIDPa0t3q9wNBQh0yepRSBeD3N-3bw63i0PWoVCvXNJ~LHZtOCm-oMIkybbYp9F9a3lbuLIF1Ay2QNJN1RsYpG-y0nf5D4AoF59VaJgh42Z~jerJbHhoCqOZVYI-eiZx0Bg-zEyHYa7P7CXRj65cLZF2SkwRH9dax7ZKUu4HS9-OvDis7iTQcIag2bzCb~lnlp16~sBRioE~NkwQQV3~pO44~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A regional economic development organization told the City of Columbia committee it has moved \"from momentum to intention,\" reporting more than 100 new leads in fiscal year 2025, 12 marketing missions, a new five-step lead funnel and plans to host site consultants and prospective investors to showcase city and regional assets.

The presenter said every qualified lead is shared with the city and that the organization has begun targeting specific industry clusters and markets most likely to fit the region. The group reported a new lead-generation and metrics system that ranks prospects from initial contact to public announcement and said the business-development team is incentivized to move prospects through that funnel.

The organization asked for earlier and clearer communication from city staff on priorities and travel plans so the group can coordinate international delegations and mayoral travel. It highlighted an upcoming familiarization program for six leading site selection consultants Oct. 23'24 and said those consultants will be shown downtown assets, sites and regional partnerships.

The presenter said the group will release a public regional strategic plan at its annual meeting and urged the city to use that strategy as the basis for future coordinated recruitment and Scout-style site attraction efforts. The presenter also flagged staffing and capacity gaps in the organization that could limit future scale without additional resources.

\"We've built a ton of momentum. All of that energy that's been talked about is great, but now we're taking that next step,\" the presenter said, summarizing the organization's shift from activity to targeted strategy.

No formal vote or appropriation appears in the transcript excerpt; the presentation included requests for coordination and more lead time for city scheduling.","A regional economic development organization reported more than 100 new leads in fiscal year 2025, 12 marketing missions and a new lead-tracking funnel; it urged earlier coordination with city staff and invited the city to participate in a consultants' familiarization visit Oct. 23-24.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657580,"World Affairs Council urges city to back expanded international exchange, cites Finergy landing and Naju sister‑city plans",1307,3922785,5230605,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded&start=3922&end=5230","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded/thumbnail_3922785.jpg","/articles/6657580/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/World-Affairs-Council-urges-city-to-back-expanded-international-exchange-cites-Finergy-landing-and-Naju-sistercity-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657580-ea4a86b175fcd13e5931801192d3ce28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153599&Signature=Hr7VAy1Mfmmf8xXWC7h~yE3nFPZnocwB99LcLUBuWe5aswHbdkcZ19JTYkNnkswAJJGRE1noitvWMB5ZxYwalLKHESP1gDzLIEoAYcWdmVIFlJg1ASbeVuYJD-MZ~8KVcjdR~ktuE2rh6yBBiEIvj42uKutTmVAKWDngOdL5eA726xsZKxGWayJNC4RgH0UwX-9wcQqE1CYDFvu8NwX-zgReA8PJCeFfdg0qAuBaY2XVWeB5ezxTP1vqWw4nt8d3FWMNdRGs3eK0zB8K7L21Nf6SfUItB7EnfH6F7CJ8w-CHDttIgKJeLYsNe8ObavqL~xpMUoP-0daRGoSXxFZB9A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Columbia World Affairs Council told the City of Columbia economic development committee that recent international engagements have brought business leads and heightened the city's profile, and requested additional funding and staffing to expand exchange programs and economic missions.

The speaker highlighted the role the council played in helping Finergy (referred to in the presentation) land in Columbia and cited a new economic development partnership with Lucerne, Switzerland. The council said those relationships will support collaborations with the battery innovation center, SC Nexus and other local research partners.

The council reported it now hosts IVLP projects (the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program) and is a member of Global Ties USA, a national coordinating nonprofit. The presenter said IVLP delegations generate hotel, dining and cultural spending and cited a prior fiscal-year economic-impact figure of about $322,800 from IVLP activity during the pandemic era; updated numbers were not available in the transcript.

The speaker briefed the committee on international visits during the past year, including delegations from Egypt and Botswana and meetings with the British consul general and Korean economic representatives. The council said these delegations met local companies and university partners, and that some discussions had already led to hiring or research connections.

On sister-city work, the council described active preparations for a friendship-city relationship with Naju, Korea, emphasizing potential synergies on energy and batteries that could bolster the city's effort to be a regional energy-innovation hub. The council said it intends to pilot collaboration as a friendship city for about a year before formalizing a mayoral sister-city agreement.

The presenter asked the city to consider additional funding and staff support for IVLP and international-engagement activities. The transcript includes the request but does not record a formal vote or an appropriation.

\"These connections are long term, and they have an impact,\" the council representative said, summarizing the case for expanded international programming.","The Columbia World Affairs Council reported successes hosting international delegations and exchange programs, said the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) designation will bring more visitors and economic impact, and briefed the committee on progress toward a friendship/sister‑city pact with Naju, Korea.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657585,"Boyd Innovation Center seeks to expand founder pipeline, reports 1,500 unique attendees and $500,000 raised by members",1363,2152105,3516050,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded&start=2152&end=3516","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded/thumbnail_2152105.jpg","/articles/6657585/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Boyd-Innovation-Center-seeks-to-expand-founder-pipeline-reports-1500-unique-attendees-and-500000-raised-by-members","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657585-0da7fb87b9b100633d2a5bd893b94964/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153600&Signature=L~ffVPrhsJkpL3Y3uBr50GVEZCixz5IUF~oYOn7cz17H3j8MtDhgVgIGIKKvHGZoTcBel0rxX8g7KbMGGYOLRUDhjZKFMwYHQ8NrBdL3lMCNbaF-~FHDPNhflqaIkYsXhfavZXD~iOCQSkaGNb3kT9S3EJOLKDZhkuR51wWM-XJLCgMVdSMhE6d0czRa4d9UD7skceiUcjqfgoXI87vDtQHAQryL7Nitc76rI4behc6EYOGPvjNXPTwRutRJgK-EmoppshP8hyoblzFretq7WsDzDom5C09eWty4gQ504VKa5FlbW2r51ZJRYuzjAO4ZRWYuFqMMoHiO2zYIlJEFzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lanford Holloway, president of the Boyd Innovation Center board, with Sam Herskovitz (the center's new executive director), told the City of Columbia economic development committee that the center supports entrepreneurs through mentorship, subsidized office space and educational programming and reported 150 events, 1,500 unique participants and about $500,000 in private investment raised by member companies over the past year.

Holloway said the center measures success by the number of new enterprises created and the number of existing companies helped to grow. He noted the BIC's pre-accelerator program, COLA STARTS, which has graduated about 20 tech-focused companies during the past year, and said current office space is approximately 75% leased.

The BIC asked the committee and other partners to help broaden the founder pipeline beyond university students to older cohorts with more work experience, to recruit regionally and to mobilize private-sector mentors and capital. Holloway and others described regional collaboration with nearby cities and incubators as essential to increase access to mentors, capital and customers.

Challenges the BIC identified include reaching a broader age cohort of founders, improving private-sector engagement and measuring program outcomes more systematically. Holloway said the center is building improved tracking and third-party metrics to identify which events and programs result in new startups and investment.

\"Our whole goal as an organization is to create entrepreneurs and then to help small businesses grow,\" Holloway said. He and Herskovitz suggested city staff and private partners can help by including the Boyd Innovation Center on tours for potential investors, interns and visitors and by encouraging business leaders to show up and mentor.

No formal action or vote is recorded in the transcript related to the Boyd Innovation Center presentation.","Lanford Holloway, Boyd Innovation Center board president, and Sam Herskovitz, newly named executive director, presented the center's programs and metrics, described expansion plans for founder recruitment beyond college students, and asked for private-sector engagement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6657591,"Minority-business group DISA asks Columbia committee to approve Phase 1 of city-focused business-development program",2049,34200,2083970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded&start=34&end=2083","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5070895-ca7ce057852e024c62603c4c237f1ded/thumbnail_34200.jpg","/articles/6657591/Columbia-City/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Minority-business-group-DISA-asks-Columbia-committee-to-approve-Phase-1-of-city-focused-business-development-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6657591-e9c5b50db827e1b788afb94dd4fa25a6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771153600&Signature=i6CxeMgc9irr0rK2OBQAsl0cMitSUiErE~v9N~1N0r9jMS7po7WRAftH9QqQ9zdFQ0MYt9eVrAq39VtUzNlLN4QMqWaseuKkT9RmLcoO-UZh~xCSJ3KJH8PWlNFBSXBGlthulP4oBM46Z3q7S8ClPitt-ClwIPt2muGlymRzIiwNkPTFbN6DnSiP6FEwGW~vW6c85kHQmORQMnF0JdIZeufIPj3gOKfKRyZxdPb77sGw0UOmiRQVeDdmFKvAyBNm7d7xxSYxd-WT45GcvSS3kzghOfhOMhmM8TrdtkZuI5FMndTQmWGSzDcnHWEsYXGYj06xH-RQOwQtxQQlbG7EKA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of DISA asked members of a City of Columbia economic development committee to approve Phase 1 of a city-focused business-development program, saying the nonprofit would provide technical assistance, mentorship and a performance dashboard to increase small- and minority-business participation in local contracts.

The DISA representative told the committee the organization has worked on business growth and development for decades and that “when the businesses grow, the city grow,” arguing the program would increase tax revenue, workforce development and business capacity for the city and surrounding Richland County.

DISA said the proposal targets business growth and investment, entrepreneur opportunity expansion, and inclusive business practices. The presenter said the organization has operated the Minority Business Enterprise Center for more than 20 years and that this proposal would focus on Richland County with emphasis on the City of Columbia.

Key components DISA described included efforts to streamline the city procurement system, expand mentor–protégé relationships that can move subcontractors toward prime-contractor roles, improve payment speed by adopting ACH, and develop quarterly business-opportunity notices and measurable performance indicators that the city could use to evaluate the program after one year.

The presentation identified several obstacles: limited engagement from small businesses, a drop in construction work for local contractors, resistance to joint ventures from large prime contractors, slow payment processing for small vendors and data-collection/reporting complexity. The presenter said state procurement law’s low-bid emphasis constrains options but that the city can explore alternatives such as design-build or other collaborative procurement models.

DISA asked the committee to approve the Phase 1 implementation and proposed a two-year project timeline with a built-in first-year evaluation. The transcript records the request for approval but does not record a formal vote on the Phase 1 request during the meeting.

Quotes from the presentation included: \"We wanna be judged, wanting to be measured, and wanting to see, does this work to grow the city?\" and \"ACH is gonna happen because it's the easiest way to pay the business and the quickest,\" both attributed to the DISA presenter.

Committee members followed with brief praise and questions about measurable outcomes and alignment with existing city offices. The presenter recommended forming a city task force to update procurement policies and emphasized succession planning and capacity building as program priorities.

No formal action or vote on the Phase 1 implementation request is recorded in the provided transcript excerpt.","A DISA representative presented a two-year proposal aimed at expanding minority and small-business participation in City of Columbia contracts, seeking Phase 1 approval while urging procurement changes, faster payments and measurable performance targets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia Opportunity Resource reports membership growth, seeks help scaling Capture Columbia and hiring a staffer

Regional economic development group says "momentum to intention," shares 100+ leads and plans for consultant familiarization tour

World Affairs Council urges city to back expanded international exchange, cites Finergy landing and Naju sister‑city plans

Boyd Innovation Center seeks to expand founder pipeline, reports 1,500 unique attendees and $500,000 raised by members

Minority-business group DISA asks Columbia committee to approve Phase 1 of city-focused business-development program