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OSBO updates TPAC on certified SLBEs and upcoming workshop; members press for sidewalk opportunities for small contractors
Summary
Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity reported 248 certified SLBEs, upcoming Business Workshop Academy event on March 20, 2025, and TPAC discussed how Penny 2 sidewalk work and procurement set-asides could create opportunities for smaller firms.
The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO) reported to the Transportation Pending Advisory Committee that 248 small/local business enterprises (SLBEs) are currently certified and that the office is recruiting additional firms and hosting workshops to help businesses access capital and county contracting opportunities.
OSBO Assistant Director Lasasha Brilliant told TPAC the current certified SLBE counts are: 6 architectural and engineering firms; 62 construction firms; 96 nonprofessional services; 78 professional services; and 6 wholesale firms — a total of 248 certified SLBEs. She said OSBO had eight pending new applications and 14 renewing SLBEs.
Brilliant announced OSBO's next in-person Business Workshop Academy event, "Finance Forward: Unlocking access to capital for your business," scheduled for Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Richland County Administration Building, 4th Floor Conference Room, 2020 Hampton St., Columbia, SC 29204. The event will include a panel of partners from Capital Funding Solutions, Community Works, the South Carolina Community Loan Fund and Security Federal Bank; lunch and free surface parking will be provided. Register at www.richlandcountysc.gov/osbo or call (803) 576-1540 for details.
During the projects discussion TPAC members raised concerns that smaller concrete subcontractors struggle to join large prime contractors on sidewalk and widening projects. Public Works Director Michael Maloney said OSBO will review each project and recommend an SLBE participation percentage for procurement. "There would be a percentage of each project we bring to OSBO to review, to see what we have available out there in SLBE contractors," Maloney said, adding that SLBE requirements on projects have ranged from about 10% on larger projects up to 50% or more on small projects.
Maloney and committee members discussed the practicality of awarding standalone sidewalk packages versus bundling sidewalks with large prime contracts. Maloney said some sidewalk work will be stand-alone projects that could create direct opportunities for smaller firms, while other sidewalk work tied to widening projects will likely be performed by subs on a prime contractor's team.
TPAC asked OSBO to continue outreach to small firms and to coordinate with Public Works on project-level SLBE participation goals. No formal policy change or vote was taken at the meeting.
