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Columbia Empowerment Zone

CEZ IMG Logo

“Create, Retain and Reinvest Wealth”

True to our City's "We Are Columbia" motto, Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. (CEZ, Inc.) is focused on encouraging and nurturing small business growth, with an overarching goal of creating jobs and improving quality of life across all sectors of our community.

CEZ, Inc. currently holds a portfolio of ready-to-lease properties ideal for new and expanding businesses, including multi-tenant locations, as well as a number of vacant properties for development by interested, qualified developers.

Working closely with the City's Office of Business Opportunities and its Office of Economic Development, the Small Business Association, the SC Department of Commerce, New Carolina (Council on Competitiveness), the USC/Columbia Technology Incubator and other resources for entrepreneurial enterprises, CEZ, Inc. is a valuable key to assuring that small businesses have a place to grow and thrive.

CEZ, Inc. Board of Directors Welcomes New Board Member - Gretchen Lambert

COLUMBIA, S.C. (March 7, 2017) – Gretchen Lambert, AIA, Vice President of Studio 2LR, has been elected to the Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. (CEZ) Board of Directors.

“I am excited to join this dynamic group of professionals in their work to support economic development opportunities in the City of Columbia”, states Gretchen Lambert.

About Studio 2LR, Inc. Architecture + Interiors:

Studio 2LR, Inc. provides outstanding architectural, planning, and interior design services in an environment defined by integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to client satisfaction.

For more information on Studio 2LR, Inc. Architecture + Interiors, please visit www.studio2LR.com.

March 7, 2017 - Press Release

Tenant Spotlight

The Columbia Empowerment Zone Inc. welcomes the Ohmega Group, LLC to the City of Columbia.

The Ohmega Group, LLC is one of the most recent businesses to open at the Lady Street Suites located at 1509 Lady Street.

The OHMEGA Group was established in March 2004 in Jacksonville, Florida as a veteran-owned, minority-owned engineering consulting firm specializing in electrical, mechanical and plumbing engineering and technology solutions. In 2016, the OHMEGA Group expanded its offerings to include Structural Engineering services.

The OHMEGA Group provides engineering consulting services to commercial, government, and institutional markets, both domestic and international. One key differentiator between The OHMEGA Group and other local competitors is that they have extensive experience providing specialized engineering design services for the aviation market, including systems, airfield engineering and construction engineering inspection.

For more information on the OHMEGA Group, LLC visit their website at http://ohmegagroup.com/.

ALALA, LLC Celebrating 10 Years of Service in Downtown Columbia

Alala, LLC hosted a TEA in celebration of 10 Years of Service and in honor of all of South Carolina’s cancer survivors, co-survivors and those that have supported their journey thus far! Alala, LLC is located at 3400 Harden Street Ext. Columbia, SC.

10 Year Celebration Flyer (pdf)

Vacant Abandoned Building Incentive Program (VABIP)

The Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. (CEZ, Inc.) provided an incentive program to incentivize the reuse of vacant and abandoned buildings within the City of Columbia and adjacent areas of the City. CEZ, Inc. has determined that the use of the appropriated award funds will assist in fulfilling the mission of CEZ, Inc.

The use of the designated funds will foster, encourage, nurture and support Columbia as a socially and economically vibrant community with sustainable jobs and a thriving, entrepreneurial, small-business environment. The incentive program is intended to eliminate and promote the purchase or renovation and reuse of vacant building that will be occupied by small businesses. The reuse vacant and/or abandoned buildings and will result in the creation or retention of jobs and reduce the burden placed on the use of government zoning and enforcement resources.

PRESS RELEASE - Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council (September 27, 2016)

Press Conference and Program Launch (May 4, 2016)

VABIP Information Brochure (PDF)

Contact Us:

Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc

3905 Ensor Avenue

Columbia, SC 29203

Phone (803) 255-8129

Fax (803) 733-8573
Email Us

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 141, Columbia, SC 29202

Commercial Site Availability