Richland County Month in Review: July

The following are highlights from Richland County Government in July:

• More than 200 residents offered feedback on the direction of the County’s future growth and plans for land use at PLAN TOGETHER community workshops held at different locations throughout the County. Richland County’s Planning Department held the meetings as part of its yearlong effort to engage the community in updating the County’s Comprehensive Plan. The next round of meetings will be in September.

• A group of 22 small businesses were recognized by Richland County as the first to become eligible to participate in the new Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) program. The program aims to increase the number of certified small and local businesses that can compete in the County’s process of hiring companies for projects included in the Transportation Penny Tax program, as well as countywide projects that do not receive federal funding.
• Richland County Council unanimously selected ICA/Brownstone/M.B. Kahn as the county’s new Program Development Team for the Transportation Penny Program. The team provided Council with a proposal of initial program development tasks and services to initiate the program.  

• In its first year, the Transportation Penny generated $53 million – $3 million more than anticipated. If revenue continues to exceed projections, the transportation initiative could reach its $1.07 billion goal sooner than the anticipated 22 years, shortening the lifespan of the sales tax increase. Seven miles of dirt roads are presently being paved and six intersections are being developed for construction in the coming months. An additional 13 miles of County roads will be put out for contracts to be resurfaced this fall and another dirt-road paving contract will be issued for four more County roads.

• Richland County Council approved an Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO). The new department will include the Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBE) program and other programs to assist owners of established and aspiring small businesses located in Richland County. The official launch date and location of the OSBO will be announced in the coming months.

• To mark the County’s 215^th anniversary, Richland Library Main presented “Richland County History: A Visual Journey” as part of its local history series. Councilwoman Julie-Ann Dixon and Councilman Jim Manning attended the event, with dozens of residents interested in learning about Richland County’s past.

• Aircraft Maintenance Services moved its core business operations into Hangar E of Jim Hamilton – L.B. Owens Airport. President Frank Schumpert said relocating his business’s headquarters to the Richland County airport puts it in a more centralized location and allows it to spread its wings in 10,000 square feet of hangar space. The business services private and corporate aircraft and performs inspections.

• A grant from the Richland County Conservation Commission provided funding for the research and publication of a 38-page booklet, “Modjeska Monteith Simkins: A South Carolina Revolutionary.” Written by Becci Robbins, it tells the story of the trailblazing human rights activist, who has been called the “conscience of South Carolina.”

• County Council adopted two policies that will, among other things, ensure new and renovated County buildings meet certain energy standards and County vehicles move toward more clean fuel alternatives.