The City Manager’s Spotlight November 2016
October 31, 2016
The City Manager’s Spotlight provides details about what is happening in the City of Columbia in an effort to keep citizens informed about City operations. The City Manager’s Spotlight on November 2016 reflects important initiatives that will highlight major projects in the City of Columbia. Here is a snapshot of the November Spotlight.
Access to Capital Symposium: The Midland’s Financing Options For Small Businesses
Are you looking for capital to start or expand your business? Are you trying to determine which bank has the best package for you? Have you already been to the bank, and need another option for financing? If so, plan to attend a lender-borrower workshop on Thursday, November 10 that will discuss financing options available for your small business.
The Access to Capital Symposium is a lender matchmaker speed-networking event between lending organizations and small business owners. It provides small business owners with the opportunity to connect one-on-one with lenders and network. This is a unique opportunity designed to help small businesses assess their lending options in the most efficient way.
This year, the event will consist of one-on-one matchmaking sessions with up to 20 lenders. This event is a true collaboration between municipal, state and federal government along with several partner organizations.
The event will take place at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln Street, Columbia, S.C. Interested small businesses and lender participants can register online at https://access-to-capital-symposium.eventbrite.com. The cost of registration is $30.
For more information, please contact Angelo McBride at 803-545-3960.
Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. Receives Excellence in Economic Development Award from the International Economic Development Council
The Columbia Empowerment Zone Inc. of Columbia, SC received a Bronze Excellence in Economic Development Award for its 2016 project in the category of Economic Development Week from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
The honor was presented at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, September, 27, during the IEDC Annual Conference, which was held Sept. 25-28, in Cleveland, OH.
“On behalf of the IEDC board of directors and Excellence in Economic Development Awards Advisory Committee, congratulations to Columbia Empowerment Zone. Not only did they work to provide a necessary service to their community; but also, their participation in the awards program sheds light on their stellar projects which other communities can now use a benchmark.” – Barry Matherly, CEcD, FM, IEDC 2016 Board Chair, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership.
The Columbia Empowerment Zone, Inc. partnered with the City of Columbia to celebrate Economic Development Week. The City of Columbia Public and Media Relations Department heavily promoted the week and activities via print media, e-mail, website, social media and City TV. Public and Media Relations created a buzz about economic development by using Tumblr, Facebook, YouTube, press releases and Pinterest. There was local media coverage via TV, newspaper and magazine articles.
Mayor Benjamin and State Senator Scott read proclamations recognizing, May 8-14, 2016 as “Economic Development Week”, and 2016 as “The Year of the Economic Developer” and honoring the 90th anniversary of IEDC. In conjunction with the week of celebration, CEZ, Inc. launched the Vacant / Abandoned Building Incentive Program (VABIP) to encourage building reuse, promote revitalization and economic development. The VABIP was used as a tool to help create and retain jobs in the City and improve the appearance. IEDC’s Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize the world’s best economic development programs and partnerships, marketing materials, and the year’s most influential leaders. These awards honor organizations and individuals for their efforts in creating positive change in urban, suburban, and rural communities.
“These awards process is a thorough, non-biased and multi-layered process. These are extraordinary accomplishments for all winners, and an overall great effort by all participants/ We look forward to next year’s awards competition,” Matherly said.
Fiscal Year Report to the Community is now available
The Report to the Community for the 2015-2016 Fiscal Year is provided to citizens for information purposes in order to share accomplishments and highlights related to the City’s operations from July 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016. Please note that due to the volume of daily activities required to run, grow and transform our city, this report does not encompass all relevant outcomes during this period of time however, it provides various snapshots from departments across the City of Columbia’s organizational structure.
The Report to the Community is a publication from the City of Columbia Public and Media Relations Department.
Please see the Viewer’s Guide below for assistance when viewing the Report to the Community 2015-2016 Fiscal Year.
Veterans Day Parade
Celebrate Veterans Day at the City of Columbia’s 38th Annual Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11.
Known as one of the Southeast’s largest Veterans Day Parade, the event will kick off at 11 a.m. from the intersection of Sumter and Laurel streets, and travel southbound on Sumter Street ending at Pendleton Street near the State House.
This year’s grand marshal will be Ft. Jackson in honor of its 100 years of service as a United States Army installation.
The Veterans Day Parade is sponsored by the City of Columbia, AARP and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
For more information, please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100 or visit www.columbiasc.net.
Main Street Ice
Main Street ICE, the City of Columbia’s outdoor ice skating rink, will return for its fifth season Thanksgiving Day at Boyd Plaza (corner of Main and Hampton streets).
Main Street ICE opens Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, from 5 to 10 p.m., and will remain open until Monday, January 16, 2017. Opening day price is $8 for adults, and $5 for children ages 12 and under. The rink will be open from 1 to 10 p.m. the day after Thanksgiving.
Fees
Opening Day
- $8 for adults
- $5 for children ages 12 and under
Monday through Wednesday (Discount Days)
- $8 for adults
- $5 for children ages 12 and under
Thursday through Sunday (Regular Price)
- $10 for adults
- $8 for children ages 12 and under
Active Duty Military with ID and Seniors age 55 and up
- $8 (Monday through Sunday)
Groups reservations will be accepted for parties of 20 people or more. Gift certificates will be available for purchase.
The ice rink will be open seven days a week at the following hours of operation:
Monday-Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.
Friday, 4 to 10 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.
Main Street ICE will have special operating hours December 19-30, from 12 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. on Friday. Saturday and Sunday hours will remain the same.
The rink will be closed on Christmas Day and will be open until 12 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.
For more information or to reserve your group reservation, please contact the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department at 803-545-3100.
Meetings:
November 1 – City Council Work Session
http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2153
November 1 – City Council Meeting
http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2153
November 7 – Planning Commission, 5:15 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street
November 8- Board of Zoning Appeals, 10:00 a.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street
November 10 – Design/ Development Review Commission, 4:00 p.m. City Hall, 1737 Main Street
November 15 – City Council Work Session, City Hall, 1737 Main Street
http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2154
November 15– City Council Meeting, City Hall, 1737 Main Street
http://www.columbiasc.net/calendar/2154
About Teresa Wilson
Teresa Wilson is the City Manager for the City of Columbia, SC. For more details on the City Manager, visit ColumbiaSC.net/city-manager. City Manager Wilson can be reached at [email protected] or 803-545-3026. For more information about the City of Columbia, visit ColumbiaSC.net.
