General — Columbia, SC
Date: 2026-03-10
Time: 11:00

Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee
 Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, March 10, 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. February 10, 2026 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes

Presentations

2. Columbia Ambassador Program – Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisor / Office of
 the Mayor

Presentations from Economic Development Partners

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

Executive Session

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




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Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee
 Meeting Agenda
 Tuesday, March 10, 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. February 10, 2026 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

 Presentations

 2. Columbia Ambassador Program – Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisor / Office of
 the Mayor

 Presentations from Economic Development Partners

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

 Executive Session

 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




 Page 1 of 1

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 Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee
 Meeting Minutes
 Tuesday, February 10, 2026

 Call to Order
 The Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee conducted a meeting
 on Tuesday, February 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 2:00 p.m. The Honorable Will Brennan and The Honorable Tyler
 D. Bailey were present.

 Upon a motion made by Mr. Brown and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
 unanimously to amend the agenda subject to adding the Convention Center to Item 3.

 Approval of Minutes


 1. November 11, 2025 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 November 11, 2025 Economic Development and
 Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes.

 Presentation

 2. Columbia Area Development Partnership Update - Mr. Jeff Ruble, CEO of CADP
 Mr. Jeff Rumble, CEO of CADP discussed the evolution of the commercial development
 program, which has undergone several updates since 2014 to encourage investment
 and to keep fees competitive. The program is now implemented through multi-county
 industrial parks and includes incentives linked to public infrastructure and workforce
 housing. He also shared recommended changes, including minimum investment
 thresholds and ensuring developers contribute financially, while encouraging discussion
 about future priorities such as housing affordability and student housing.

 There was discussion about safety and quality of life; the Columbia Urban Development
 partnership; program sunset; additional parking needs; the intersection of economic
 tipping points; and additional property models.

 Executive Session
 Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Bailey, the Committee voted
 unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 2:29 p.m. to discuss Item 3.




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 3. 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)

 • 2221 Devine Street
 • Capital City Ballpark
 • 2001 Taylor Street
 • Devine Street Pedestrian Bridge
 • Project WF
 • Project Cardinal
 • Project Stoa
 • Project Olympus
 • Convention Center


 Adjournment
 This meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.


 Respectfully Submitted:




 Erika D. Moore Hammond, MMC, CPM
 City Clerk




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 Meeting Date: March 10, 2026

 Department: Office of the City Clerk

 From: Erika Hammond, City Clerk


 Columbia Ambassador Program – Ms. Payton Lang, Policy and Programs Advisor /
 Office of the Mayor

 Background Summary:

 Attachments:
 None




 03/06/2026 2:58 PM Page 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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