2024 Richland County Disparity Study
Richland County, SC has engaged Griffin & Strong, P.C (GSPC) to conduct a Disparity Study (“Study”). The purpose of this study is to identify whether there is a statistically significant disparity in the relevant geographic and product markets between the percentage of qualified Minority and Women owned firms that are willing and able to provide goods and services to The County. GSPC will be conducting surveys, public hearings, webinars and other public engagement meetings to serve this purpose. If your firm is contacted to provide input, we thank you for your participation. You may also email us any comments or questions at RichlandCountyStudy@gspclaw.com.
ANECDOTAL EVIDENCE COLLECTION
Local Organizations
GSPC also desires the feedback of organizations that speak for the local business community. Local business, civic, and trade organizations may be contacted to participate. If you desire to meet with GSPC to discuss your organization’s perspective or relevant experience(s) working with Richland County contact us at RichlandCountyStudy@gspclaw.com.
Anecdotal Interviews
The Disparity Study will provide an opportunity for feedback from business owners about experiences, both positive and negative, contracting with Richland County. Anecdotal interviews are one-on-one interviews with business owners to discuss their experiences doing business with Richland County or navigating business development in the region.
This testimony can play a critical role in improving current programs. Beginning with our Informational meetings in the Summer, the Disparity Study anecdotal process will involve the completion of anecdotal interviews, public hearings and focus groups. We estimate that anecdotal interviews will begin in October 2023.
If contacted, we encourage your honest and transparent feedback.
Survey of Business Owners
GSPC will be conducting a Survey of Business Owners to understand the experiences of firms in Richland County’s marketplace in doing business both with and in The County. All firms in the marketplace are invited to take the survey which will be sent out in October 2023. If you do not receive a survey directly, it will be posted on the website and you will be able to access it here:
Richland Survey of Business Owners
Email Comments
For those who are not contacted to participate in an interview or focus group, are unavailable, or are generally uncomfortable providing public testimony, you may email us anytime with anecdotal comments or questions at RichlandCountyStudy@gspclaw.com.
EVENTS
Informational Meeting
To learn more about this Study, how to be involved, or to address any questions or concerns, please attend our community informational meetings in September 2023.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| September 7th, 2023 | 3:00PM ET | View Recording |
Public Hearings
The public hearings are an opportunity for businesses and other community members to go on the record with their comments about doing business with Richland County, or its marketplace. All comments will become part of the public record and will be included in the Study analysis. The public hearings will be held in November 2023.
| DATE | TIME | VENUE |
|---|---|---|
| Completed | View Recording | |
| Completed | View Recording |
Focus Groups
GSPC invites a small group of diverse firms to provide their view of doing business with Richland County, attempting to do business with The County, or explaining why they have not attempted to do business with The County, in a discussion setting. Firms are chosen at random from each ethnicity and gender group of the Study.
Focus Groups are by invitation only.
Social Media
For information about scheduled events and Study updates, feel free to follow Griffin & Strong, P.C. on Facebook, or LinkedIn. You may also provide commentary regarding the Study via social media, regardless of whether you are selected for a random interview or not. If you wish to provide a comment regarding your experiences, positive or negative, in doing business in or with Richland County, please reach out to us.
