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Big biz in the Midlands
A look at the 2023 Richland County impact report
Columbia is ranked as one of the best places to start a business. | Photo by COLAtoday team
The Richland County Economic Development Office recently shared its annual report highlighting investments and job creation in the county, along with the programs and initiatives that helped impact the local business climate.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the major business developments and the county’s biggest moves in commercial real estate.
Investment + job creation
Total investment: Over $2.35 billion
New jobs created: 4,532
Major projects
Scout Motors: Key features include a 1,100-acre campus and an estimated annual production of 200,000 vehicles by 2026
$2 billion investment
4,000 jobs
Cirba Solutions, LLC: Establishing a lithium-ion battery recycling and reprocessing facility
$323 million investment
310 jobs
Mungo Homes: Expansion includes a new facility for various corporate teams
$10 million investment
40 new jobs
FN America: Enhancing research, development, and engineering capabilities
Commercial Development Program is a partnership with the City of Columbia, providing tax assistance to boost commercial opportunities.
Midlands Minority Business Accelerator empowers minority-owned businesses through specialized training, coaching, and corporate connections using the acclaimed StreetWise ‘MBA’ curriculum.
SC Ports is also a large contributor to business growth in the Midlands. With an $87 billion impact statewide, $22.3 billion flows into the Midlands contributing to 67,000 jobs.
Events
Wednesday, Jan. 24
Kölsch Abend | Wednesday, Jan. 24 | 6-8 p.m. | Bierkeller, 600 Canalside St. #Ste. 1009, Columbia | $60 | Try an evening of endless Kölsch served to you alongside a four-course meal of food specialties.
Thursday, Jan. 25
Art in Focus with Dr. Frank Martin | Thursday, Jan. 25, Thursday, Feb. 8, Thursday, Feb. 22 | 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | In a series of spotlight talks, Dr. Frank Martin explores themes found in an individual artwork on view, offering an opportunity to discover new insights with a true fine arts specialist.
Business Networking Happy Hour | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 5-7 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Make meaningful connections with other business-minded Soda Citizens at Happy Hour.
Young Leaders Society Oyster Roast | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 6-9 p.m. | City Market, 705 Gervais St., Columbia | $25-$40 | The YLS Oyster Roast is the Young Leaders Society’s annual event to kick off the beginning of the new year with ways to give back and have a good time with live music, a silent auction + tasty eats.
The Runout, Kenny George Band, The Water Kickers | Thursday, Jan. 25 | 7-11 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern, 632 Harden St., Columbia | $10 | Enjoy three local acts with a flair for Americana music.
Friday, Jan. 26
Private Winter Book Sale | Friday, Jan. 26 | 3-7 p.m. | Richland Library Operations Center, 130 Lancewood Rd., Columbia | Donors with gifts of $25 or more in the past year are eligible to attend the private sale.
Saturday, Jan. 27
Alpine Wine Tasting | Saturday, Jan. 27 | 3-4 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard, 1207 Hampton St., Columbia | $33 | Sip and learn about the wines of Alpine region of Europe and try six different wines with advanced sommelier Jonathan Lopez.
Plan your next mountain getaway around Winter Concert Weekend
This could be you at the historic inn’s Winter Concert Weekend. | Photo by The Omni Grove Park Inn
This February, The Omni Grove Park Inn is hosting a Winter Concert Weekend that promises infectious laughter, legendary tunes, and lasting memories. Think:A road trip north made better.
The soul-warming event features comedy, yacht rock, and Asheville’s serene mountain vibes. Here’s what’s on the two-day lineup, set to take place in the Grand Ballroom:
Comedy Show | Friday, Feb. 23 | 8 p.m. | Enjoy a comedy show headlined by Jeff Allen, known for his appearances on America’s Got Talent, Netflix, Amazon, and Dry Bar Comedy.
Live Music | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | Jam out to yacht rock-style classics from artists like Toto, Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, and more, performed by Monsters of Yacht.
Pro tip: The Omni Grove Park Inn is offering a Winter Concert Weekend package-for-two that includes overnight accommodations, tickets to both events, daily breakfast, and parking. Can only make it one night?Single event tickets are also available.
24 Hour Pickleball, a round-the-clock facility, is set to open on Friday, March 1 at 4590 Augusta Rd. Offering an indoor experience with a large dome structure, this venue has a specialized app for members to reserve a court.
Biz
The Better Business Bureau of Central SC and Charleston is relocating to 440 Knox Abbott Dr., Cayce, in Parkland Plaza. The new location offers more visibility and customer accessibility to the organization.
Community
Leadership Columbia, a Columbia Chamber program for emerging leaders, is accepting applications for its 52nd class in 2025. The program, aimed at community development and awareness, includes a 10-month curriculum with a focus on diverse local issues.
Arts
The CMFA (Columbia Music Festival Association) is hosting its annual Lize Wessels Ye Olde Pub Night on Saturday, Feb. 3. The arts fundraiser includes a dart tournament and door prizes.
Outdoors
Howl at this. January’s full “Wolf Moon” will shine in the SC sky on Thursday evening. This first full moon of the new year reaches its peak at 12:25 p.m., fully lit by the sun. Watch for its rise from the northeast horizon around sunset, marking the final moon phase of the month. (The State)
Civic
Richland County announced a series of transportation planning meetings for January and February in each Council district. These meetings, open for public input, aim to gather insights on potential future transportation projects. Meeting dates and locations can be found at Richland Penny.
Asked
The human papilloma virus is the single most common sexually transmitted pathogen in the US. Curious about HPV and its link to cancer? Submit your questions to the Prisma Health experts, who are on call + ready to answer in our next edition of Prisma Health On Call.*
Health
You take a pack of chicken out of the refrigerator and notice the “best if used by” day was…yesterday. Does that mean it’ll make you sick and it’s better to trash it? Here’s what food expiration dates really mean.*
Watch
🏆 And the Oscar goes to...
From Cola to Tinseltown
Nimona — a mischievous teen who happens to be a shapeshifting creature he’s sworn to destroy. | Graphic via Netflix
The nominees for the 2024 Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday and one of them was created right here in Cola.
“Nimona,” nominated for Animated Feature Film, is based on the comic of the same name by A.C. Flora High School graduate ND Stevenson. Stevenson created Nimona while still a student at Maryland Institute College of Art and further during summers at home in Cola.
First published as a web comic on Tumblr, the comic quickly gained popularity leading to its publication as a full-length graphic novel in 2015. The book’s acclaim led to an option for a feature-length film by 20th Century Animation, resulting in an Oscar nomination eight years later.
Released on Netflix last summer (94% positive rating), the film made its Columbia debut at The Nickelodeon Theater last December. At the screening, ND shared with Cola Daily, “I used to go to the theater all the time as a kid, and I knew the manager and he’d get me in for free and I just would watch every movie that came here, so it’s pretty special being back.”
The Buy
The Buy 1.24.23 (Affiliate + Six & Main)
The best baking supplies to cook up something cozy and comforting this winter. Think: a sourdough starter helper, lemon lavender scones baking mix, and Herbes de Provence focaccia mix.
Here’s another fun Cola fact for you sent in by Perry L.
“Brittons clothing store on Feb. 9, 2014, set the Guinness World Record for the most Bow ties tied, 823. — and raised $25,000 for dhildren’s hospital.”
If you’re like me and struggle to tie a bow tie, watch the best bow tie video on Youtube (over 3 million views) by Brittons own, Lucky Levinson.
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