Posts by Cheryl Cooper
Colliers Report: Columbia Retail Market Q3 2025
December 12, 2025
Colliers | South Carolina Market Report Grocers expand as high costs counter leasing growth Market Highlights The Columbia retail market remained stable as leasing velocity and rent growth stalled amidst…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: commercial-real-estate, on-the-move
Cold, Cold, Cold
December 10, 2025
By Tom Poland A thirteen-year relationship was dying. Here comes one of those songs that arrives at a hurtful time. The song seemed written for us. You grieve, heal,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce announces new 2026 Board Members
December 10, 2025
The Greater Chapin Chamber of Commerce announced 3 new board members for 2026, featuring an outstanding slate of local leaders who bring energy, expertise, and a deep commitment to the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: chamber, on-the-move
Colliers Report: South Carolina Student Housing 2025
December 10, 2025
Commercial Real Estate Research & Forecast Report 2025 South Carolina Student Housing Construction pipeline grows behind rising enrollment, large-scale projects Market Highlights After a modest slowdown, universities across the state saw…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: commercial-real-estate, education, on-the-move, residential-real-estate
AVANTech, LLC expands Richland County operations
December 10, 2025
$3.7 million investment will create 65 new jobs AVANTech, LLC, a design, engineering and Nuclear Quality Assurance-1 fabrication partner delivering advanced processing solutions and build-to-print products, today announced it is…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: economic-development, headlines, manufacturing, on-the-move
Together SC announces new partnership with Grantlytics to bring AI-powered grant discovery tools to South Carolina nonprofits
December 8, 2025
Exclusive 20% Member Discount Now Available – Introductory Webinar on December 17 Together SC, the state’s network for nonprofit leadership, announced a new partnership with Grantlytics, an innovative AI-driven grant…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move
Chris White named President & CEO of Columbia Metropolitan Airport
December 8, 2025
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) announced that Chris White, A.A.E. has been named President & CEO, effective January 5, 2026. “It’s a privilege to be chosen to serve as President and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, on-the-move, transportation
My Fried Chicken History
December 3, 2025
By Tom Poland As evening shadows fell, I made my way home through woods. Overpowering the peppery smell of autumn leaves, the chicken frying in Mom’s cast iron skillet…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Gov. Henry McMaster announces the Center for Cybersecurity at SCRA
December 3, 2025
Center Designed to Lead Statewide Coordination for Advancing Cyber Growth Governor Henry McMaster today announced the creation of the new Center for Cybersecurity at the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA).…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: headlines, hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Mashburn Construction completes multiple MUSC projects in Orangeburg
December 2, 2025
Mashburn Construction has successfully constructed three transformative projects for the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Orangeburg, S.C., underscoring the hospital’s continued investment in strengthening healthcare access and quality…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: construction, on-the-move
Hood Construction, McMillan Pazdan Smith breaks ground on Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s Conservation Learning Center
December 1, 2025The teams of Hood Construction & McMillan Pazdan Smith have kicked off construction of the Jane B. Friedman Conservation Learning Center at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Located adjacent to the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, education, hospitality, on-the-move
20th Thanksgiving for Wallick Investments, LLC
November 25, 2025
Wallick Investments is now an SEC registered investment advisory firm with over 250 clients, AUM over $124M as of 11/25/2025, and manager of Fidelis 100 Index. June 2025 marked not…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: banking-and-finance, on-the-move
Highway Song, Part II
November 25, 2025
By Tom Poland A Sunday Drive Highways 321 and 301 meet my criteria for back roads. Little traffic. Lots of abandonment. Old stuff getting older. Those 1950 snowbirds heading…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Former federal prosecutor Brandon Stone joins Wyche
November 20, 2025
Wyche, a leading full-service law firm with offices across South Carolina, announces that Brandon Stone, a former federal prosecutor and partner at a leading international law firm, has joined the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: law, on-the-move
Highway Song, Part I
November 20, 2025
By Tom Poland A Sunday Drive I hadn’t seen him in 10 years. Him would be the preacher who buried Dad and Mom. He was preaching down South Georgia…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
Colliers represents seller and buyer in sale of a medical building in West Columbia to Roots Integrative Medicine
November 20, 2025
Colliers | South Carolina’s Mary Winter Teaster and Sydney Lanham represented the seller, Rod Shiver, and John Gressette and Rox Pollard III represented the buyer, Roots Integrative Medicine, in the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: commercial-real-estate, on-the-move
Colliers represents seller in deal to open a school for the special needs community in the Midlands
November 18, 2025
Colliers | South Carolina’s Mary Winter Teaster and Sydney Lanham represented MIRCI in the sale of a 3,600-square-foot freestanding building to Opa’s Learning Academy, located at 1433 Gregg Street in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: commercial-real-estate, on-the-move
Hood Construction, Moseley Architects celebrates SLED Pee Dee regional office grand opening
November 18, 2025
On October 28th, Hood Construction and Moseley Architects joined the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to celebrate the grand opening of their new regional office in Florence County. Located…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Colliers Report: South Carolina Hospitality Market Q3 2025
November 18, 2025
Colliers | South Carolina Market Report Hospitality Market Updates Download the full report. Columbia Demand normalized after a summer in which increased inventory was primarily responsible for lower…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: commercial-real-estate, on-the-move
Mashburn Construction adds ten new hires across the state
November 18, 2025
Mashburn Construction announced the addition of ten new employees throughout their four offices. Jonah Maro has been hired as a Project Engineer in the Myrtle Beach office. He earned his…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: construction, on-the-move
Finlay Park grand re-opening – Saturday & Sunday, November 15-16
November 14, 2025
As excitement builds for the Grand Re-Opening of Finlay Park, the City of Columbia has released important details on parking, shuttle transportation and safety guidelines for the celebration set for…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: entertainment, festivals, food, government, headlines, hospitality, life, music, on-the-move, social-scene, the-arts
Terracon names Gene Partin Columbia, SC operations manager
November 14, 2025
Terracon, a leading national consulting engineering firm comprised of engineers, scientists, architects, facilities experts, and field professionals, announces Gene Partin, CHMM, has been named operations manager of the company’s Columbia, South Carolina…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: construction, engineering, on-the-move
Ellison Kibler team ranked No. 4 nationally on Forbes Wealth Management list
November 13, 2025
The Ellison Kibler team has been ranked No. 4 in the nation on Forbes’ 2025 “America’s Top Wealth Management Teams High Net Worth” list, the publication announced Wednesday. The rankings…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: banking-and-finance, financial-advisors, on-the-move
America Recycles Day: drop off paper, hazardous waste this Saturday
November 13, 2025
Richland County residents can drop off unwanted household items for America Recycles Day this Saturday, Nov. 15. The free event will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at Columbia…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
Where The Dead Live On
November 12, 2025
By Tom Poland On a sultry August Sunday I drove up on Shady Grove Methodist Church. Seeing it resurrected James Agee’s “Shady Grove, Alabama, July 1936,” his description of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
New Vision Med Spa celebrates grand opening in Columbia
November 10, 2025
New Vision Med Spa is celebrating the grand opening of the new wellness and aesthetics center that blends medical expertise with modern health services. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: health-care, on-the-move
Jan’s Van bringing free mammogram screenings to Irmo this January
November 10, 2025
Union United Methodist Church in Irmo will host Jan’s Van, a state-of-the-art Full Field Digital Mammography unit, on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The mobile service, provided by Lexington Medical…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: health-care, on-the-move
Don’t Let the Tricycle Horns of Life Scare You
November 6, 2025
By Jeff Becraft I don’t know what kid the car manufacturer took the horn off his tricycle and stuck it in my car is, but I’m sure that kid…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move
The Ford & Ford Group launches of the Michele Bossi Nursing Scholarship in honor of a legacy of compassion
November 6, 2025
The Ford & Ford Group announced the launch of the Michele Bossi Nursing Scholarship, honoring the life and legacy of Michele Bossi, a devoted nurse, mother, and lifelong advocate for care and compassion. The scholarship opened on October…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move
SCRA announces organizational changes
November 6, 2025
The South Carolina Research Authority has announced organizational changes that will enable it to provide even more support to the state’s academic research, development, and innovation startups. Under the leadership…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: hi-tech-information-tech, on-the-move
Turner Padget continues legacy of excellence with multiple Best Law Firm honors
November 6, 2025
Turner Padget announces its inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Law Firms, published by Best Lawyers, a leading legal directory. The firm is honored across 34 practice areas throughout…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: law, on-the-move
Parking, shuttle, and clear bag policy for Finlay Park grand re-opening weekend
November 5, 2025
As the City of Columbia prepares to welcome thousands of residents and visitors to the Grand Re-Opening Weekend of Finlay Park on November 15 -16, 2025, the City announces important parking, shuttle, and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
Vickie Davis named Executive Director of Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board
November 5, 2025
Capital City/Lake Murray Country (CCLMC) announced the selection of Vickie Davis as its new Executive Director, marking a new chapter in leadership for the regional tourism organization. Following a nationwide…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: hospitality, on-the-move
Winter’s Rainy Windows
November 5, 2025
By Tom Poland I have long admired the work of a fighter pilot turned writer. He wrote under the pen name James Salter. James Arnold Horowitz volunteered for combat duty…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Vulcan Real Estate Development unveils vision for Grand Willow hotel in Columbia’s BullStreet District
November 5, 2025
Vulcan Real Estate Development unveils its plans for the Grand Willow hotel, a new boutique destination coming to the heart of Columbia’s historic BullStreet District, located at 1571 Freed Street,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: headlines, hospitality, on-the-move
Southern Financial Corporation and Southern Bank announce the proposed sale of Georgia branches to Palmetto Citizens FCU
November 4, 2025
Southern Financial Corporation and Southern Bank today announced they have entered into a definitive agreement to sell their Georgia branches to Palmetto Citizens Federal Credit Union (“Palmetto Citizens”). Palmetto Citizens will acquire the physical locations…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: banking-and-finance, headlines, on-the-move
Catch The COMET for free to vote on Tuesday Nov. 4
November 3, 2025
The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) wants to help riders exercise their right to vote. The COMET fixed route buses and DART services will be free for those…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, transportation
Congressman Jim Clyburn announces the 2025 South Carolina book tour for The First Eight
November 3, 2025
U.S. Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) announced the 2025 dates of his South Carolina tour promoting his new book, The First Eight: A Personal History of the Pioneering Black Congressmen Who…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
Duke Energy Foundation gives $100,000 to One SC Fund as part of annual campaign to help fight hunger in South Carolina
November 3, 2025
In addition, the company throughout November will provide another $500,000 to at least 60 feeding programs statewide amid funding uncertainties as colder weather and the holiday season approaches Since 2021,…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: non-profit, on-the-move
Historic Columbia November 2025 Events
November 3, 2025
November is a time for giving thanks, and Historic Columbia has plenty to be grateful for this season! Join us for programs, tours, and experiences that highlight the history and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: non-profit, on-the-move
City of Columbia Advertisement of Vacancies on various boards and commissions
November 3, 2025
The City of Columbia is currently seeking individuals to serve on a variety of boards and commissions that help shape the future of our community. These volunteer opportunities offer residents…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
SC Chamber President and CEO Mike Brenan announces retirement
November 3, 2025
The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce (SC Chamber) announced today that President and CEO Mike Brenan has retired, effective October 30, 2025, following 16 months of leadership that guided the organization through a period of…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: chamber, on-the-move
City of Columbia Board of Zoning Appeals | Thursday, November 6, 2025
November 3, 2025
On Thursday, November 6, 2025, the Board of Zoning Appeals meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m. respectfully at City Hall, 1737 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201. Members of the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: government, on-the-move
Lucia Smith elected to board of Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce
October 28, 2025
Pyramid Contracting announced that Lucia Smith, our Business Development Manager for the Midlands region, has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: chamber, construction, on-the-move
Colliers Report: Augusta-Aiken Industrial Market Q3 2025
October 28, 2025
Colliers | South Carolina Market Report Manufacturers eye expansion as activity remains slow Market Highlights A mid-year slowdown continued as the Augusta-Aiken market saw relatively little activity in Q3, with…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: commercial-real-estate, on-the-move
Return To Pawleys
October 28, 2025
By Tom Poland Sunday lunch at the Sea View Inn. Forty-five years it had been since my daughters and I were together at Pawleys. While eating I thought about our…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, georgetown-sc-gazette, upstatebizsc Category: life, on-the-move, the-arts
Columbia Chamber announces 2025-2026 Board of Directors
October 28, 2025
Terrance Ford, AT&T, to Chair Columbia Chamber Board of Directors The Columbia Chamber announced the 2025-2026 Board of Directors with the addition of seven new members. Terrance Ford, AT&T, has…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: chamber, on-the-move
Richland One to induct five into district’s Hall of Fame in January
October 27, 2025
Richland One will induct five new members into the Richland One Hall of Fame in January, district officials announced October 24. The Richland One Hall of Fame recognizes graduates of…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: education, on-the-move
Cuban Corner celebrates grand opening in Columbia’s Main Street District
October 27, 2025
The City of Columbia welcomed the grand opening of Cuban Corner, a family-owned restaurant celebrating Cuban culture, community, and culinary tradition. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Friday, October…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: on-the-move, restaurant
USPS Job Fair at Richland Library
October 27, 2025
Richland Library is partnering with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to host a community job fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, at Richland Library Northeast (7490…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: employment, on-the-move, transportation
