07.13.2023

Today’s Forecast

93º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 6:23 a.m. | Sunset 8:37 p.m.

Come one, come all

Breaking down the tourism impact for the Columbia area

Skyline photo of Columbia. | Photo by @grandparich9

In case you missed it — Columbia received the No. 1 ranking as one of the top nine places to live in SC, according to Travel + Leisure, for its central location, landmarks like Lake Murray, popularity with younger generations, and low cost of living.

It seems both residents + tourists enjoy Columbia, because according to some recent data provided by Experience Columbia, the region’s destination marketing organization, visitation increased from 15.1 million in 2021 to 15.8 million in 2022, and visitor spending increased 12% over the previous year to $1.7 billion.

Let’s break down some other tourism stats + we’ll give you ways to get involved and keep the ball rolling as citizens.

Of the $1.7 billion spent in Columbia, food + beverage spending accounted for $487 million — that’s 29% of each visitor’s budget.

It’s no secret Soda Citizens like to grub, that’s why we put together a happy hour guide, vegan guide, coffee guide, brunch guide, and stay tuned for a lunch guide.

Transportation, including both air and transportation within the destination, added up to 18% of visitor spending.

Fun fact: Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) recently announced a partnership with American Airlines that offers Soda Citizens a nonstop flight to Chicago. Next time you’re looking to travel, fly local.

The total economic impact sustained over 22,300 jobs and generated $130 million in state and local tax revenues in 2022.

See our guide on local top employers and industries that contribute to the Midlands’ economic impact.

Lodging accounted for 17% of visitor spending ($286 million.)

May we interest you in a staycation? Book a stay at the Chestnut Cottage which just reopened or stay at Columbia’s first boutique hotel, Hotel Trundle. Stay up-to-date with Hotel Trundle’s expansion —like the Flutter Wing + The Dens.

Read more tourism stats from Experience Columbia in the button below.

More tourism stats

Events

Thursday, July 13

SC Wildlife Federation’s Wild Summer Nights Online Auction | Thursday, July 13 | Times vary | Online event | Free | SCWF’s Wild Summer Nights Online Auction supports SCWF’s mission of keeping SC wild through conserving, advocating, restoring, and educating.
Meeting Street Artisan Market: Night Edition | Thursday, July 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | Enjoy a boutique shopping experience, park, play, eat + explore at the Meeting Street Artisan Market every second Thursday, from 4-8 p.m.

Friday, July 14

Galan, H3RO, Sherwoods Florist, Travel Therapy | Friday, July 14 | 7:30-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 122 State St., West Columbia | $10 | Indie bands from across the state come together, headlined by local act, Galan.
Columbia Fireflies vs. Kannapolis Cannon Ballers | Friday, July 14 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Dino Weekend // Dinosaur Bobblehead Giveaway pres by Founders FCU (first 1000 fans)*
Bastille Day Party | Friday, July 14 | 5:30-8 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $100 | Celebrate Bastille Day with live music, hors d’oeuvres, a buffet, aperitif cocktails, wine, and a photo booth.

Sunday, July 16

Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Sunday, July 16 | 1-4 p.m. | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era, 1705 Hampton St., Columbia | Free | The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at the Woodrow Wilson Family Home is the nation’s only museum dedicated to showcasing the post-Civil War Reconstruction period and is housed in SC’s only remaining presidential site.

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Edu

Healthcare

Meet the next generation of local doctors

Presented by a COLAtoday Partner

Thirteen family medicine residents will begin training this month and be ready for independent practice in July 2026. | Photo provided by Lexington Medical Center

The population of the Midlands is rapidly growing. In the ten years between 2010 and 2020, Columbia’s population grew by 5.7% — equating to one new resident every three hours.

Speaking of residents, more Soda Citizens means more doctors are needed to meet the needs of our community. To ensure the Midlands’ growing population has access to the highest quality care, Lexington Medical Center is partnering with USC to train a new generation of primary care physicians.

Enter: The brand new Family Medicine Residency Program, poised to be one of the largest in South Carolina. Thirteen Family Medicine residents began training this month, and they’ll be ready for independent practice in July 2026.

In addition to these 13 Family Medicine residents, there are also 13 residents in the Transitional Year Program. These doctors will be at Lexington Medical Center for one year, with most entering specialty residency programs that require a year of general training.

To house the program’s instructional space and patient care clinics, Lexington Medical Center has built a state-of-the-art, 45,000-sqft building.

“Our partnership with the University of South Carolina will ensure we have a steady source of skilled, compassionate physicians who value our culture of care and want to continue practicing here in the Midlands,” said Brent M. Powers, MD MBA FACP FACHE, senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Learn more

News Notes

Civic

Columbia Water released its annual water quality report, assuring Soda Citizens that the water is safe to drink. The agency is also seeking participants for a study to evaluate copper + lead levels in the water in order to eradicate them. Learn more. (WLTX)

Real Estate

Trinity Partners’ Director of Office Properties, Paul Hartley, SIOR, successfully negotiated long-term lease extensions for Alliance Consulting Engineers, Inc. + the Finkel Law Firm, LLC, totaling over 27,000 sqft at 1201 Main St. The combined lease transaction value for these negotiations exceeds $5,000,000.00.

Drink Up

Forbidden, a new Kentucky bourbon by Master Distiller Marianne Eaves, made its debut in Cola. Created through a partnership with SC-based partners, including Mayor Daniel Rickenmann, the is aged in charred and toasted oak barrels + offers a smooth, complex flavor profile. Bottled at 95.2 proof, the initial release will be available in SC, KY, TN, and GA. (Cola Daily)

Weather

Be aware — due to the high humidity + hot temperatures, the heat index is set to spike into the triple digits as we look to the rest of the week. Friday is expected to feel like 107 degrees. Stay cool, Soda Citizens. (WIS)

Plan Ahead

Mark your calendars for Sunday, October 8. The annual Gervais Street Dinner is returning. Tickets will go on sale in late summer, will be capped at six per customer, and grant attendees an all-inclusive experience featuring dinner, live music, cocktails, and dessert.

Sports

Several Gamecock Baseball players have been drafted or signed after this year’s MLB draft. See all of the draftees, their stats, and slot values on 247Sports.com.

Stat

Fewer than 10% of hospitals in the country earn this elite distinction, and Lexington Medical Center is the only South Carolina hospital included among them.*

Finance

Everyday investors profit from a $45 million Banksy collection (yes, the Banksy) thanks to Masterworks, who last sold one of the artist’s works at a 32% net gain. Masterworks has completed 13 exits (all profitable), with three recent sales delivering net annualized returns of 17.8%, 21.5%, and 35%. COLAtoday readers can skip the waitlist to join.†*

Shop

Parking your car on sunny streets while running errands around town? This No. 1 bestselling sunshade keeps your car’s interior cool and minimizes rays.*

† See important Masterworks disclosures.

Civic

Richland County Council meeting recap

What you missed in yesterday’s Richland County Council Meeting

A rendering of the new manufacturing facility off Interstate 77. | Rendering via Scout Motors

Fun fact: On the second Tuesday of each month Richland County Council discusses large + complex issues that require more deliberation. Here’s what you missed during the meeting.

Reading (Doc. pg. 118)
An Ordinance authorizing a deed to Allen University for 1741 Cushman Dr., Columbia

Verdict
The local college has been looking to purchase this 14-acre plot of land to build a football stadium since last year and the vote in favor was unanimous.

Reading (Doc. pg. 121)
Authorizing a joint development + creation of a multicounty park with Fairfield County for the Scout Motors Project

Verdict
The city council signed off on the joint development. The next steps include the council chair executing the master agreement, the property being included in the business park’s boundaries, and obtaining consent from the Town of Blythewood. The ordinance will go into effect after the third and final reading.

Read more about the project + see the full agenda in the button below.

Read through the full agenda

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The Wrap

Samantha Robertson in a white shirt and grey vest

Today’s edition by:
Sam

From the editor

Speaking of tourists, I recently ran into a gentleman at Oliver Gospel Roastery that was on the phone trying to figure out where and how to park downtown. As someone that deals with this on the daily, I politely asked if he needed help when he hung up and Airdropped him the link to our parking guide. It’s a good one to have in your pocket as a tourist or a Soda Citizen.

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