Just a few days left to take the Columbia Talent survey!

From restaurants, nightlife, and green spaces to a depth and breadth of job opportunities, affordable housing and a safe environment, what will it take to turn Columbia into a place that attracts the creative class?

Take the Columbia Talent Magnet Project survey at http://www.columbiatalent.com before noon Monday, October 20, 2008, and voice your opinion about our city and what it will take to turn it into a magnet for talent.

The Columbia Talent Magnet Project was created to find ways to appeal to and keep today's "Creative Class" in Columbia. The Project is a collaboration among EngenuitySC, the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, New Carolina - SC's Council on Competitiveness, and Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR).

We are taking the “pulse” of our community to identify Columbia’s perceived strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities. What’s right, what’s wrong, and what opportunities do we have as a region to grow and prosper? Responses from the anonymous survey will form the foundation for dialogue at a Talent Magnet Summit in late 2008.

New Ideas for a New Carolina - 2009 Call for Entries!

New Ideas for a New Carolina 2009 Contest

Everyone Has A Dream or a Great Idea – What's Yours?

Do you want to win $5000? Do you have a big idea for a business? If so, then enter your idea at http://www.newideassc.com/ starting October 1, 2008 and ending December 2, 2008.

Share your ideas for business that stoke your fire, blow your mind and show your get-up-and-take-charge-of-my-dream spirit. Your idea could bring new jobs, new energy, new talents, new life and new wealth to South Carolina.

South Carolina's fourth annual New Ideas for a New Carolina Business Idea Contest officially launches October 1, 2008. The New Ideas Dream Team, a coalition of representatives from SC Launch!, New Carolina – SC's Council on Competitiveness, FastTracSC, ThinkTEC and other organizations around the state will spend October and November touring cities throughout South Carolina promoting this year's contest. South Carolina entrepreneurs can submit their ideas for a business until December 2nd at http://www.newideassc.com/.

The winners will be announced at the ThinkTEC Innovation Summit in Charleston on February 11, 2009. This year's contest award the grand prize winner $5,000 of seed money for their business idea, a scholarship to FastTrac® entrepreneurial training program, tickets to the ThinkTEC Innovation Summit and a Dream Team of Mentors to help the winner cultivate their idea. Four first place prizes of $2500, a scholarship to FastTrac® and tickets to the ThinkTEC Innovation Summit will be distributed as well as five $1,000 honorable mention prizes. Also, the contest will feature once again, the People's Choice category where the residents of South Carolina will be able to vote for their favorite idea.

So what are you waiting for? Enter your Idea at www.NewIdeasSC.com by December 2nd for a chance to win!

Click the following link to download the New Ideas Contest Flyer!

Click here for more information.

Know an overachiever under 40?

Know an overachiever under 40? Nominate a Midlands business star making his or her mark with professional success and community involvement. The nominee must primarily conduct business in the 10 counties of the Midlands* and be under 40 years of age as of January 1, 2009. Deadline for nominations is Friday, October 10, 2008; winners will be published in the January 5, 2009 edition of Columbia Business Journal.

Candidates should have achieved professional success and be active in community matters. Form must be filled out completely and accurately (Candidate will not be considered with incomplete registration).

*Calhoun, Fairfield, Lee, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry, Orangeburg, Richland, Saluda and Sumter Counties

Click one of the following links for a nomination form:
PDF: http://www.thestateonline.com/20under40/20under40_2008.pdf
Word: http://www.thestateonline.com/20under40/20under40_2008.doc

Share your opinion for the Columbia Talent Magnet Project survey!

Please take a few minutes to participate in the Columbia Talent Magnet Project survey. The goal of this survey is to take the “pulse” of our community to identify Columbia’s perceived strengths, weaknesses, and the opportunities for positive change from the perspective of the people who live, work, learn, and play here. What’s right, what’s wrong, and what opportunities do we have as a region to grow and prosper? Your responses will form the foundation for dialogue at a Talent Magnet Summit in late 2008 where business, government, civic, and cultural leaders will come together to discuss your thoughts and ideas. Stand up, be heard, and share your thoughts!

The Columbia Talent Magnet Project is committed to developing a dynamic region where education, economic prosperity, community engagement, quality of life, and experiences attract and retain the best and the brightest talent in the region and the country. This vision will fuel our community’s growth in the new economy. The Columbia Talent Magnet Project is a collaborative effort of EngenuitySC, The Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, New Carolina – SC’s Council on Competitiveness, the Columbia Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR).

Please click on the link below to begin the survey:
http://www.columbiatalent.com