 Thank you all for coming. My name is Aisha Driggers. I'm with the City of Columbia Office of Business Opportunities. Thank you for joining us today to celebrate National Small Business Week. This week serves as an opportunity to highlight our small business community and their efforts to create jobs, drive innovation, and increase competitiveness. Helping small businesses grow has been and continues to be one of our top priorities at the city. I also want to acknowledge all of our county officials, city officials that are in attendance today. So at this time we'd like to get started with Carl Blackstone, President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce. Good morning. Good morning. There we go. Thank y'all so much for being here today and it's an honor for me to be here as we kick off Small Business Month. But I really want to thank our county and our city special guests, the partnerships that we have with both the Richland County and the City of Columbia special. And we've got a lot of good friends that are here with us, especially I want to thank Craft Acts and Knowledge Perk for hosting us today and providing great drinks, but also a great venue for us in downtown Columbia. The Columbia Chamber's been around since 1902. We've been looking out for small businesses for 120 years. As we look at the growth that we've seen over the last 15 years in Columbia and the trajectory of what we've got going on for the next 10 to 15 years is unbelievable. But we've got great big businesses here, but if you really want to think about what drives this economy, it's the small business guy or gal. It's this family owned business here in the Midlands of South Carolina that they're doing this because their family have done it for years. Or this is an entrepreneur that's trying to chart a new path for their family. If you think about small businesses across our state, 99% of all businesses in the state are small businesses. I mean, that is unbelievable. A lot of the big boys get the attention, but really the meat and potatoes and the we call it the backbone of the economy is small businesses. And so we are appreciative of them and want to celebrate them. And one of the things that got us going was talking with our friends at TD Bank. And they were very interested in helping us create a small business champion program where TD sponsors a company to join the chamber for a year. And we help those businesses and they receive a TD mentor and a diplomat at the chamber to help navigate all the opportunities available for them. And so we're really excited about kicking off this program as well. And it's my honor to introduce Mike Farmer, who's a board member of the chamber, but also regional vice president of TD, to help us kick off this new program and talk a little bit about it. So if I could bring Mike Farmer to the stage, I appreciate it. Mike? Good morning. What a beautiful day in Columbia, South Carolina. As Carl said, I'm Mike Farmer. We're in trouble now. I do remember my name. So I'm Mike Farmer, regional vice president for TD here in the Midlands. This is Jessica Sofield, who is helping me out. Thank you. Again, really excited to be here. The chamber does so much for the community. I routinely look at how we interact. There are a lot of different municipalities, groups in this area. And it's all about collaboration. And I applaud the Columbia Chamber and Carl and everyone here how well we collaborate because it's for the greater good. We want to see this area, this region grow in benefit. And I really respect the work that Carl and the chamber do there. They directly help us with meeting contacts, making contacts in the community, and just really do it the right way. I've got the fortunate opportunity to introduce five winners today who will be joining the chamber with the membership being paid by TD Bank. Really excited about that. And these are five great companies. And without further ado, let me announce the winners. First up is AI Nautics. Let's give them a round of applause. Next is Erica Dawkins Communications. Welcome to the chamber. The next is Midlands Mediation Center. Then we've got OTR Media Group. And last but certainly not least, R. Bettis Construction. Again, we feel fortunate to be part of this, to have you all join the chamber. And just like anything else, it's what you make of it. The chamber has so many opportunities, can help you in so many ways. And I just encourage you all, the new members to really take advantage of everything the chamber has to offer. Part of that, you will get a mentor from the chamber, but also from TD Bank. We are a thousand employees strong here in the Midlands, and feel like we've got some good financial expertise we can bring to the table. So we look forward to working directly with the new members as well. Again, just thank you so much for allowing TD to be a part of this program. We couldn't be more excited. And with that, I'll turn it over to the chamber chairman, Mr. John Griggs. Got to watch out for this wind, right? Both hands, all the notes. Good afternoon, everybody. We've got a nice Chamber of Commerce day, as my friend Carl Blackstone says. Again, I'm John Griggs with Sinovus Bank, and I'm proud to be this year's chairperson of the board for the Chamber of Commerce. Congrats to these businesses again. Let's give them one more round of applause. And thank you, Mike and TD, for sponsoring this opportunity. What a great job. The chamber hosts many opportunities to celebrate and grow small businesses here in the Midlands. We have our small business breakout, which I believe is every fourth Tuesday. We also have our partner engagements, which are every month. So I look forward to spending some time with the winners at those events here in the coming months. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with the city and county to shine a spotlight on our small businesses. Just as Carl said, I think 99% of the businesses here in our community are small businesses. So excited to celebrate that here with you today. The Chamber has worked with the city to help develop a list of new business-friendly initiatives last year. Excited to see some of that stuff come to fruition. And now it is my great pleasure speaking to the city to introduce our Mayor, Mayor Daniel Rickerman, who's going to make a proclamation from the city today. Mr. Mayor? Well, first of all, thanks to everybody for being here, and congratulations to everybody who are the winner. I think it's also appropriate that we're standing in front of the ax bar here because we've been chopping away at the red tape over the last year or so to really make it easier for small businesses to grow in our community. But I will take this as we proclimate this week as Small Business Week. I'm going to read this proclamation on behalf of the entire City Council here in Columbia. For more than 50 years, the U.S. Small Business Administration has celebrated Small Business Week, which recognizes critical contributions of America's entrepreneurs and small businesses. And when Carl talks about, and John and Mark talk about small businesses being the backbone, they are the backbone of our community. Because small businesses grow here, hire here, and give back here. And you can't replace that with any large business. And so we're very thankful for all the small businesses in our community. Small businesses are the heart of every city preserving traditional values while providing new ideas, new jobs, increased sustainability. Small businesses represent a tradition of hardworking dedicated individuals living the American dream to provide for their families, create job opportunities for their neighbors, and to make invaluable contributions in their community. I think that captures a small business more than any other thing that we could say today and how much it means to us as a city for small businesses to be part of our community and will continue to support y'all in every way we can. Small businesses are vibrant, vital segments of our economy and a huge economic force throughout the nation. Residents of our community and communities across the nation are being asked to support small businesses and merchants during Small Business Week throughout the year. I think a testimony for us in Columbia, South Carolina was during the pandemic. We saw people pouring out to go support small businesses in every way. Going out to eat when they didn't need to get takeout. They could have eaten at home and saved them money, but rather spend that extra dollar to make sure they were supporting those restaurants and going to those small shops soon as they opened back up and supporting them to make sure that they're going to be here in the long. I think it's a testimony to who we are as a community and it's really, if you're a small business person wanting to open a business and you're moving from another part of the country, Columbia, South Carolina is where you want to be. So with that, I, Daniel J, recommend the mayor of Columbia, South Carolina, along with my fellow council members, do hereby proclaim the week of April 30th through May 6th is Small Business Week. So can I have John Upton come up? Do you want to join me? Sir, on behalf of the city, I wanted to give you a proclamation as well and I'm going to read this out and then I'll provide it to you. Kraft-Axe Throwing established in 2018 is an entertainment venue that offers Tomahawk throwing and host social and corporate events. If you need to get out a little frustration, come on down. They will help you take care of that. Jonathan Upton, the regional manager for Kraft-Axe Throwing has been successful in the growth of their location, providing a unique experience. Kraft-Axe Throwing is committed to being a hub for other businesses to create partnerships, networks within their multiple facilities across the state and country. Axe Throwing is committed to giving back to local communities by supporting, supporting organizations, raising awareness for important cause. Kraft-Axe Throwing strives to create memorable and fun experiences for their customers and staff. So the City of Columbia recognizes Kraft-Axe Throwing as our business spotlight honoree and congratulate you on. So on behalf of the entire city, all 139,000 people, thank you for what you're doing. Thank you. You want to say something? Yeah. I didn't bring any paper up here. So when I was first reached out by Susan from the chamber in the city, she said there was going to be three or five people here. That is not the case. I do want to say a quick thank you to the city, to the mayor, for all the sponsors and the members with the chamber, for coming out here to support us today. We've been in operation now five years and we could not have grown to where we are now without South Carolina support. Our locations are Greenville, Lexington, Columbia, Spartanburg, Rock Hill, which is our newest store, and Fort Mill. And again, South Carolina is phenomenal in small business. You guys, and I'll also expand on the military support. I want to thank you. And if you want to thank my staff members who are also military veterans, spouses, South Carolina has such a warm, welcoming feeling for a small business owner, for a regional manager that, you know, we just couldn't do without you. So thank you. John thought he needed a paper, but apparently you didn't. So you did a great job. So on behalf of Richland County Council and our chairman, Overture Walker, I appreciate the opportunity just to share a few remarks in response to the celebration of Small Business Week. Richland County is pleased to collaborate with our strategic partners. Many of you have heard from here, but that also includes the Small Business Administration and City of Columbia, as well as the Chamber of Commerce, and other agencies today to present and recognize May 1st through 5th at Small Business Week. This week, Richland County and the Office of Small Business Opportunity will participate in an array of events and trainings to aid the small business community. The county understands challenges of many of our small businesses, and many of them have faced that throughout not only their inception, but also through this recent pandemic. And during that time, the county has provided many training opportunities and other services, including millions of dollars through grant funding to support our small businesses. And just for a brief moment, if you will bear with me, I'm going to take a moment to read a resolution that County Council will present to the Small Business Administration on tomorrow as a part of their County Council meeting. And it reads as follows. A resolution recognizing Small Business Week May 1st through 5th, 2023. Whereas Small Business Week is a time set aside to acknowledge our small businesses for the contributions they make to our community. And whereas Small Businesses are the core of every city maintaining traditional values while providing fresh ideas, new jobs, and increasing flexibility. And whereas Small Businesses are vibrant, vital segments of our economy and vast economic forces throughout the nation. And whereas Small Businesses fall into either part-time or full-time operations, but are almost exclusively run by self-employed entrepreneurs. And whereas Small Businesses represent a tradition of hard-working and dedicated individuals living the American dream to provide for their families and opportunities for their neighbors to make valuable contributions to the community. And whereas Small Businesses provide an incredible influence on the stability of our communities. And whereas there are approximately 15,000 small businesses, many of them minority-owned operated throughout Richland County, employing between one and 49 people. And whereas residents of our communities and communities across the nation are being asked to support Small Businesses during Small Business Week and throughout the year. And whereas Richland County recognizes the value that Small Businesses bring to our community and salutes their remarkable contributions. And now therefore be it resolved on behalf of Richland County Council that May 1st through 5th 2023 will be recognized officially tomorrow as Small Business Week from the Richland County Council. Thank you. Thank you all and also want to acknowledge I see we have our OBO staff and our economic development staff is here. So thank you again for your support. So thanks again for joining us today to kick off an exciting week of Small Business Week activities. Tomorrow we will have the Proclamation Red at City Council and then on Friday we will have our 10th annual Small Business Week Conference and the Medallion Conference Center at 7309 Garnesbury Road beginning at 9 a.m. You can still register for that event at our website at OBO.ColumbiaSC.gov. Our theme this year is building bridges to new opportunities and innovation and we look forward to continuing the celebration and all of the wonderful accomplishments of our Small Business community. And as we close I welcome you to come inside of Craft Acts and enjoy pastries from O'Hare and coffee from Knowledge Perk. Thank you.