Columbia Empowerment Zone Business Services

The Assignment:

The City of Columbia’s Empowerment Zone acquired the North Main Street Business Plaza as part of its efforts to revitalize commerce in the North Main area of Columbia, SC. The Columbia Empowerment Zone selected DESA and the MBDA Business Center to provide marketing services for each business within the Plaza.

These businesses include:

• CiCi’s Pizza
• First Choice Rehabilitation & Wellness Center
• Houston’s Low Country Grill
• Natural Escape Day Spa
• New Look Barber & Beauty Salon
• The Flemming Group
  

For each of these businesses, DESA and the MBDA Business Center provides marketing services such as:

• Brochure/Flyer Development
• Advertisements and Coupons
• Business Solicitation Letters
• Website Services and Social Media Marketing
• Graphic Design, Logo Development and Branding
• General Marketing and Communications Strategies 
• Small Business Strategies
  

Challenges:

• While each business offers different services, the goal is the same – to bring foot traffic and increased commerce to the North Main Plaza.
• Historically a disadvantaged community, the North Main revitalization effort involves a financial risk that makes marketing the area that much more vital.
• Many of the businesses are not only new to the area, but start-up businesses as well. Marketing services for these firms requires fresh, innovative strategies in order to reach target markets.
  

How DESA Exceeds Expectations:

The North Main area of Columbia, SC has seen an explosion of growth in commerce since the Columbia Empowerment Zone embarked upon the revitalization effort. With DESA’s Global Business Services, the revitalization effort has been branded so much so that surrounding communities are traveling to shop or do business within the Plaza. With our marketing strategies, the Columbia Empowerment Zone clients are reaching their customers and driving business to the now thriving community.