This brochure details our new logo and branding.
2024 Youth Services Guide
This guide is a resource for parents and guardians that outlines services and programs that are provided to youth during the summer in the City of Columbia and throughout other parts of the community.
Thank you to the Dunk Tank Fundraiser participants!
Thank You!
The City of Columbia would like to thank all of theindividuals who participated in our Dunk Tank
Fundraiserto help raise money for Sistercare.
Thank you to the Toiletry Drive participants!
Thank You!
The City of Columbia would like to thank all of the individuals who participated in our Sistercare Toiletry Drive to help raise money for Sistercare.
Sistercare Toiletry Drive
Throughout the month of September the City of Columbia Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department hosted various fundraisers in support of Sistercare. The fundraisers included the Sistercare Toiletry Drive and two Sistercare Saturday Dunk Tank events.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review Full Report
This is a full report of every department’s highlights that we have shared.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
In this report, we are featuring Public Relations and Columbia-Richland Communications.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
In this report, we are featuring Information Technology and Support Services.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
In this report, we are featuring Public Works and Fleet Services.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
In this report, we are featuring Columbia Police Department and the Columbia-Richland Fire Department.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
In this report, we are featuring the Office of Business Opportunities, Parks and Rec and Planning and Development.
Telling Our Story - 2022 in Review
During the next several weeks, we will be sharing 2022 highlights from the various City of Columbia departments. In this report, we are featuring Columbia Empowerment Zone, Columbia Water, and Customer Care.
Mayor's Walk Against Domestic Violence Awareness Makes Successful Return
The 2022 Mayor’s Walk Against Domestic Violence was held Saturday, October 29 at Page Ellington Park. The event brought together participants for the 16th year who showed support by joining the walk to bring awareness to those affected by violence and abuse. Confirmed registrations for the walk totaled at 807.
2021 Domestic Violence Awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and for the 15th year, Mayor Steve Benjamin and Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine hosted the annual walk. Due to the pandemic, a virtual walk was promoted through social media platforms in lieu of an actual on-site walk. In the interest of public health, the walk took a digital approach to increase awareness about domestic violence in our community. People who registered received a free domestic violence awareness month kit. Items in the kit helped the citizens spread the word about domestic violence to others and increased awareness in our community.
Resilient Columbia | Maintaining Service Delivery During the Pandemic
In May 2021, the City of Columbia celebrated National Public Service Recognition Week. During the week, our Public Relations, Media and Marketing Department highlighted the hard work and dedication of our employees.
Continuing with that theme, City departments compiled information about various accomplishments, challenges, and outlines of daily operations during the pandemic. Those are compiled here as both a reflection of Columbia’s reaction in a crisis, and as a celebration of Columbia’s community and resolve.
It's YOUR Shot, Columbia!
Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and the City of Columbia launch the “It’s YOUR Shot, Columbia” campaign to let all Midlands citizens know that COVID-19 vaccinations are safe, effective, free, and thanks to multiple partners located across Richland County, easy to obtain.
Currently, 42% of Richland County citizens have been vaccinated, resulting in a continued decline in COVID infections and viral spread. Mayor Benjamin and City of Columbia officials seek to increase the vaccination rate to ensure citizens can safely return to gathering together, businesses can fully re-open and all of our communities become free from the virus.
2020 Domestic Violence Awareness
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and for the 14th year, Mayor Steve Benjamin and Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine hosted the annual walk. Due to the pandemic, a virtual walk was promoted through social media platforms in lieu of an actual on-site walk. In the interest of public health, the walk took a digital approach to increase awareness about domestic violence in our community. People who registered received a free domestic violence awareness month kit. Items in the kit helped the citizens spread the word about domestic violence to others and increased awareness in our community.
Parks and Recreation Free Meals Distribution
In an effort to support our youth and families within the community as they return to school, The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department provided free meals (which is inclusive of breakfast and lunch) to youth 18 years of age and under. There were 10 meal distribution sites where families drove up and picked up their meals.
The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with a local faith-based organization that is authorized through the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), providing well-balanced nutritious meals. The (10) distribution sites covered all City Council districts.
City of Columbia & UofSC Partnership
Councilman Will Brennan, along with City Council members, City Manager Teresa Wilson and Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins kicked off a targeted maskup campaign in Five Points on yesterday during an afternoon press conference to discuss the recent changes made to the city’s protective mask ordinance.
“The lack of social distancing that we’ve been seeing in some of these areas is something we take serious and we’re going to make a special effort, a push to put these initiatives into place,” said Councilman Will Brennan.
Amendments to the ordinance include fines and stipulations for not wearing masks on a busy sidewalk waiting area, or popular outdoor area where it is impractical or impossible to maintain six feet of distance at all times.
It is important to note that penalty has increased from $25 to $100 and the locations where masks will be required have been expanded upon.
Councilman Will Brennan announced a partnership with the University of South Carolina, which included a donation to 1000 masks to the City.
“We are all in this together and we win when we work together to protect public health and continue to ensure good quality of life to the citizens of Columbia, students, faculty and staff,” said James Smith, Executive Director of Military Programs and Strategies for the University of South Carolina.
Councilman Will Brennan, Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins and members of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department will be canvassing the Five Points area this weekend to inform business owners and patrons of the mask ordinance changes, as well as, give away free masks.
“The key part to all of this is keeping everybody safe. We want to simply educate everyone about the importance of wearing a mask,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins.
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department has revealed Sparky the Fire Dog, CRFD’s mascot, as the new “mascot” for the City of Columbia’s maskup campaign.
To stay updated about the latest information, visit our Resilient Columbia microsite (https://resilient.columbiasc.gov/) under ‘COVID-19 Tools & Resources’.