Columbia has a diversified economy. Some of the major employers are state government, Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC, the University of South Carolina and the Palmetto Health hospital system. In addition, Fort Jackson, the U.S. Army's second largest training facility, is located in Columbia.
Columbia also includes the headquarters of the Fortune 500 company SCANA. Other companies with headquarters in Columbia include Colonial Supplemental Insurance, a major supplemental insurance company, Collexis Holdings Inc, a software development firm, Spectrum Medical, an international medical software company, Nelson Mullins a major national law firm and First Citizens bank, one of the largest state-based banks.
Major manufacturers with facilities in Columbia include CMC Steel, Square D, Michelin, Spirax Sacro, Honeywell, Westinghouse Electric, International Paper, Trane, Bose Corporation Technology, Pirelli Cables, Harsco Track Tech and Solectron. The region also includes more than 70 foreign affiliated firms.
Accolades for Columbia, South Carolina: Forbes named Columbia as a "Best Small Place to do Business". Entrepreneur.com, Inc., ranked Columbia #8 for midsize metropolitan areas in its hot cities for entrepreneurs list. Columbia was named as one of America's 50 hottest cities for corporate expansion and relocation by Expansion Management.
The following is a list of the major employers in the greater Columbia area:
- Palmetto Health
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Richland School System
- SCE&G
- UPS
- Wachovia Bank, N.A.
- Branch Banking and Trust Company
- City of Columbia
- Santee Cooper
- Papa John's Pizza
- Bank of America
- Richland County
- Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals
- Michelin North America
- Bell South
- Babcock Center, Inc
- Piggly Wiggly, Inc
- SC State Dept., of Education
- Bose Corporation
The major job providing segments in Columbia, South Carolina:
- Healthcare
- Education
- Manufacturing
- Social assistance
- Accommodation and food services
- Financial activities
- Government
Notable details regarding Columbia, South Carolina: Estimated median household income in 2007: $35,000. Cost of living index in 2008: 87.5. Population 25 years and older holding a bachelor's degree or better: 36%.
Columbia businesses can contact the following helpful associations:
- Columbia Chamber of Commerce
- South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance
- South Carolina Economic Developers' Association
- Small Business Administration - South Carolina
TheState.com provides readers with details about local business and industry.