Grow with Google tour coming to Columbia

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The Grow with Google tour, which helps job seekers, small business owners, students, educators and entrepreneurs improve their digital skills, will make a stop in Columbia on May 2.

A full-day, free event will take place at 701 Whaley in the Olympia neighborhood from 9 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. Google staff members will lead workshops on topics such as job search strategies, email basics, online safety and search engine optimization. One-on-one coaching sessions and interactive demonstrations will also be available.

“Partners like Google are integral as we progress into an ever-changing and rapidly-advancing age of technology,” Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin said in a statement. “Giving teachers, small business owners and students the tools they need to be successful will not only prove to be good short-term opportunities, but they’ll also have long-lasting effects on generations to come.”

The event is in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Midlands Technical College and the University of South Carolina Technology Incubator, among other community organizations.

“We are excited to bring the Grow with Google Tour to Columbia,” said Lilyn Hester, Google’s head of external affairs, Southeast. “With a growing downtown and as a center for government and education, Columbia has all the right ingredients to embrace all that technology has to offer. Our goal is to help South Carolina small businesses and job seekers with the skills they need to thrive in the 21st century economy.”

For more information, visit g.co/GrowColumbia.