Economic Development and Infrastructure Committee — Columbia, SC
Date: 2025-06-17
Time: 09:00

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025


The Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737
Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The meeting can be viewed online
at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or
cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting.

 The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III ▪ The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large

Prior to entering the meeting, please silence all electronic communication devices. All presenters are asked to
 speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. April 29, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

PRESENTATIONS FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

2. City Center Partnership Update - Mr. Matt Kennell, President and CEO

3. USC/Columbia Technology Incubator Update - Mr. Rick Finch, Interim
 Executive Director

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 WF
 • Project Momentum
 • Project Tango

ADJOURNMENT




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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 AGENDA
 TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025


The Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee will conduct a meeting on
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at City Hall (Mayor's Conference Room), 1737
Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, SC 29201. The meeting can be viewed online
at www.columbiasc.gov. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (803)545-3045 or
cityclerk@columbiasc.gov if you have questions regarding the meeting.

 The Honorable Peter M. Brown, District IV, Chair
 The Honorable William Brennan, District III ▪ The Honorable Aditi Bussells, At-Large

Prior to entering the meeting, please silence all electronic communication devices. All presenters are asked to
 speak directly into the microphone for recording purposes.

CALL TO ORDER

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. April 29, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

PRESENTATIONS FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

2. City Center Partnership Update - Mr. Matt Kennell, President and CEO

3. USC/Columbia Technology Incubator Update - Mr. Rick Finch, Interim
 Executive Director

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 WF
 • Project Momentum
 • Project Tango

ADJOURNMENT




 Page 1 of 1
 1




MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: April 29, 2025 Economic Development &
 Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:


ATTACHMENTS:
 • EDIC_MN_021125 (DOCX)




Updated: 6/13/2025 2:00 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 2
 1.a




 Attachment: EDIC_MN_021125 (10023 : April 29, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes)
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025


CALL TO ORDER
The Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee conducted a
meeting on Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room),
1737 Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable
Peter M. Brown, Chair called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and the following
members were present:

 Attendee Name Title Status
 Peter M. Brown Chair Present
 Will Brennan Member Present
 Aditi Bussells Member Present

ADOPTION OF THE AGENDA
Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Dr. Bussells, the Committee
voted unanimously to adopt the agenda subject to adding Project Catalyst to Item 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)).

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. January 28, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes

Upon a motion made by Dr. Bussells and seconded by Mr. Brennan, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the January 28, 2025 Economic Development &
Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes.

EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Dr. Bussells, the Committee
voted unanimously to enter into Executive Session at 1:02 p.m. for the discussion of
Items 2 and 3 as amended to add Project Catalyst to Item 3.

2. Receipt of legal advice relating to matters covered by attorney-client privilege
 pursuant to S.C. Code §30-4-70(a)(2)

 Commercial Development Incentive Program




 Page 1 of 2
 Packet Pg. 3
 1.a




 Attachment: EDIC_MN_021125 (10023 : April 29, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes)
 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2025

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
 Project Sparrow

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 3:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted:




Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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 Packet Pg. 4
 2




MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: City Center Partnership Update - Mr. Matt Kennell,
 President and CEO
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 6/13/2025 2:11 PM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 5
 3




MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: USC/Columbia Technology Incubator Update - Mr.
 Rick Finch, Interim Executive Director
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:




Updated: 6/12/2025 10:28 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 6
 4




MEETING DATE: June 17, 2025

DEPARTMENT: City Clerk

FROM: Erika Hammond, City Clerk

SUBJECT: 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)
FUNDING SOURCE &
ORIGINAL BUDGET:

FOCUS AREAS: Economic Growth

PURPOSE:
Project WF
Project Momentum
Project Tango




Updated: 6/12/2025 10:38 AM Page 1
 Packet Pg. 7

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025


CALL TO ORDER

The Columbia Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee conducted a
meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025 at City Hall (Mayor’s Conference Room), 1737
Main Street, Second Floor, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. The Honorable Peter
M. Brown, Chair called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. and the following
members were present:

Attendee Name Title Status
Peter M. Brown Chair Present
Will Brennan Member Present
Aditi Bussells Member Absent

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

1. April 29, 2025 Economic Development & Infrastructure Committee Meeting
 Minutes – Approved

Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Brown, the Committee
voted unanimously to approve the April 29, 2025 Economic Development &
Infrastructure Committee Meeting Minutes.

PRESENTATIONS FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS

2. City Center Partnership Update - Mr. Matt Kennell, President and CEO –
 Received as information

Mr. Matt Kennell, President and CEO of the Main Street District shared how the
organization supports the City of Columbia’s Economic Development Focus Areas
through efforts to enhance quality of life, safety, walkability, and downtown
business growth. He emphasized the district’s role in attracting and retaining talent,
encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting a strong city identity. The Yellow
Shirt Ambassadors use smart technology to maintain a clean and safe downtown,
while ongoing communication supports existing businesses. He also outlined key
business challenges and opportunities for Fiscal Year 2025–2026.

There was discussion about communication with businesses in relation to the
Assembly Street project; the vibe on Main Street; merchant feedback regarding
parking changes; and seamless growth versus growth with challenges.



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 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025


3. USC/Columbia Technology Incubator Update - Mr. Rick Finch, Interim
 Executive Director – Received as information.

Mr. Rick Finch, Interim Executive Director of the USC/Columbia Technology
Incubator shared the organization’s origin as a 501(c)(3) and direct arm of
economic development for the Midlands, with a focus on job creation and
innovation. He clarified the difference between incubators (long-term, product-
focused spaces) and accelerators (short-term, growth-focused programs). He
emphasized the need for improved communication and collaboration within the
region’s fragmented innovation ecosystem and stressed the value of dedicated
space for that collaboration. He noted the incubator’s $22 million economic impact
last year, with 60% of companies being minority-led. He highlighted hitting the
metrics set by the committee and what he’s looking forward to in the future.

There was discussion about looking at spaces in the Vista, Bull Street, or Five
Points; branding initiatives with the City of Columbia; and having multiple locations.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

Upon a motion made by Mr. Brennan and seconded by Mr. Brown, the Committee
voted unanimously to enter Executive Session at 9:54 a.m. to discuss Item 4 as
amended to include Project Catalyst.

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 WF
  Project Momentum
  Project Tango
  Project Catalyst




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 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE MEETING
 MINUTES
 TUESDAY, JUNE 17, 2025


ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m.

Respectfully submitted:



Erika D. Moore Hammond, CMC
City Clerk




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