Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann Signals an “Opportunity Economy” for Small Businesses
- CUBNSC
- Sep 11
- 2 min read
By Javar Juarez | CUBNSC | September 10, 2025
Columbia, SC — Before a packed early-morning crowd at Segra Park, Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann delivered an optimistic message: the Capital City’s economy is open for business, and it is small businesses—especially those owned by women and minorities—that are driving growth.
Speaking at the Columbia Chamber’s Breakfast Briefing, Rickenmann outlined a vision of Columbia as the “easiest place to do business” in South Carolina. The mayor cited a milestone of 1,500 new business licenses issued this year, evidence, he said, that “people believe in putting their business in our community."
Supporting Black and Women-Owned Businesses
Rickenmann emphasized that Columbia’s Office of Business Opportunity is not just symbolic, but actively connecting entrepreneurs to contracts and capital. Over the past year, the office hosted more than 3,000 attendees at business workshops and helped disadvantaged businesses secure over $17 million in city projects, with a mentor-protégé program adding another $25 million in awards.
From ribbon cuttings to contract awards, Rickenmann noted that “probably 75%” of recent new companies celebrated by the city were women-owned . That track record, he argued, demonstrates Columbia’s intentional efforts to build an inclusive economy.
A Growing City with Room for All
With 28 new residents moving to the Midlands each day, Columbia is balancing growth with affordability. The mayor pointed to progress on housing—over 1,600 new residential units last year alone—as a foundation for long-term business vitality. He underscored that homegrown businesses must expand alongside major corporations choosing Columbia for their headquarters.
Partnerships Fueling Progress
Rickenmann framed the city’s success as a story of partnerships—between city hall, county council, state leaders, and the private sector. These alliances, he said, are critical to landing major investments like Scout Motors while ensuring small, local businesses also benefit from Columbia’s growth.
“Our goal,” Rickenmann told the audience, “is to keep those dollars here, circulating in our community, supporting the businesses on Main Street, in Five Points, and across our neighborhoods."
Daniel Rickenmann: Looking Ahead
Rickenmann painted a picture of Columbia ten years from now as a place where empty lots are filled with homes, sidewalks are bustling, and Main Street rivals any capital city in the Southeast. The key, he said, is to continue investing in infrastructure, housing, and business opportunity—while keeping Columbia’s identity rooted in collaboration and inclusivity .
“Every business in this community is hiring, including us,” the mayor said, underscoring Columbia’s momentum. “If you don’t have a job and you want one, we’ll find you one. That’s who we are. That’s what this community is about."
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