Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2026-04-14
Time: 11:00

Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee
 Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III • The Honorable Tyler Bailey, At-Large


Call to Order

Approval of Minutes

1. March 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

Executive Session

2. Discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or provision of
 services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
 area served by the public body pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(5)

 • Capital City Ballpark
 • Project DeBartolo
 • Project WF


Adjournment




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Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee
 Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 11:00 AM
 City Hall • Mayor's Conference Room
 1737 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Columbia, SC 29201
 City Clerk’s Office: (803)545-3045 or cityclerk@columbiasc.gov

 The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III • The Honorable Tyler Bailey, At-Large


 Call to Order

 Approval of Minutes

 1. March 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

 Executive Session

 2. Discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or provision of
 services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
 area served by the public body pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(5)

 • Capital City Ballpark
 • Project DeBartolo
 • Project WF


 Adjournment




 Page 1 of 1

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 Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes
 Tuesday, March 10, 2026

 Call to Order
 The Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee conducted a meeting
 on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
 Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Peter M. Brown, Chair, called the meeting
 to order at 11:04 a.m. The Honoroable Will Brennan and The Honorable Tyler D. Bailey were
 present.

 Approval of Minutes

 1. February 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes
 Upon a motion made by Mr. Bailey and seconded by Mr. Brennan, the Committee voted
 unanimously to approve the February 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure
 Committee Meeting Minutes.

 Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
 unanimously to adopt the agenda subject to adding Project Kick and 2001 Taylor Street
 to Item 4.

 Presentations

 2. Columbia Ambassador Program – Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisor
 / Office of the Mayor
 Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisor / Office of the Mayor introduced the Columbia
 Ambassador Program as a collaborative effort designed to bridge the City’s vision with the
 private sector. The initiative aims to cultivate storytellers and advocates who can promote
 Columbia’s growth and opportunities. The program will focus on three key areas: industry
 feedback, organic lead generation, and story amplification, while advancing a unified city
 message. The proposed pilot includes a cohort of 10 ambassadors serving a one-year term.
 The inaugural class will be nominated and approved by the committee, with the long-term
 goal of expanding the program through a formal application process.

 There was discussion about the Port Ambassador Program; proposal timeline; ambassador
 expectations; cost of participation; and naming of the group.

 Presentations from Economic Development Partners

 3. USC/Columbia Technology Incubator – The MIX Update – Mr. Rick Finch, Executive
 Director, The Midlands Innovation X-Change


 Mr. Rick Finch, Executive Director, Midlands Innovation X-Change provided an update on



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 Innovation Plaza, noting that bids for the two-building project vary by about $185,000 and
 that the Middletons are willing to fund all but approximately $100,000 of the up fit costs. He
 emphasized that the space is important for attracting and retaining companies and
 investment dollars. He also described a broader shift toward a regional innovation strategy,
 focused on collaboration, gap identification, and tackling larger issues beyond a traditional
 incubator model. Efforts include building partnerships with organizations such as AT&T, the
 Andrews Institute, Palmetto College, and regional academic institutions to strengthen long-
 term innovation capacity.

 There was discussion about a funding stairstep; lack of private equity; and exploring
 partnerships.

 Executive Session
 Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
 unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 11:36 to discuss Item 4 as amended.

 4. Discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or provision of
 services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
 area served by the public body pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(5)
 • Project Bowtie
 • Project Perimeter
 • Project WF


 Adjournment
 The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m.


 Respectfully Submitted:



 Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
 City Clerk




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Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes
 Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Call to Order

The Columbia Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee conducted a meeting
on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737 Main Street,
Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Peter M. Brown, Chair called the meeting
to order at 11:05 a.m. The Honorable Will Brennan and the Honorable Tyler D. Bailey were
present.

Approval of Minutes

1. March 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
unanimously to approve the March 10, 2026 Economic Development and Infrastructure
Committee Meeting Minutes.

Executive Session

Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 11:06 a.m. to discuss Item 2.

2. Discussion of matters relating to the proposed location, expansion, or provision of
 services encouraging location or expansion of industries or other businesses in the
 area served by the public body pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(5)

 • Capital City Ballpark
 • Project DeBartolo
 • Project WF


Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 11:56 p.m.


Respectfully Submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
City Clerk



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