The following are highlights from Richland County Government in May:

Richland County was officially named the first “Connected” certified capital community in the United States and released a technology action plan that offers steps to increase access to broadband Internet countywide.

The grand opening of a new Richland County park was held May 16 at Pinewood Lake Park, 1151 Old Garners Ferry Road. The park abuts Pinewood Lake (formerly known as Caughman Pond) and is complete with walking trails, fitness stations, gardens, picnic shelters and a renovated house from the 1930s that contains historical information about the property.

Richland County recognized national Small Business Week by celebrating the importance of small local businesses with a series of events, including forums and conferences that catered to small business needs and offered resources to help them grow, improve and succeed in the local economy.

Richland County residents helped keep nearly 130,000 pounds of household waste out of
landfills and dump sites by participating in Richland Recycles Day, making the annual event a
huge success.

The 1500-1700 blocks of Main Street in Columbia became the newest addition to the National
Register of Historic Places during a joint announcement by City Center Partnership and Historic
Columbia. The Richland County Conservation Commission provided a grant to Central City
Partnership for writing the nomination for Main Street to become a National Register Historic
District.

Richland County Public Works celebrated national Public Works Week by hosting informative
public events as well as inviting local students to its complex on Powell Road where they took
part in fun activities and watched a parade of vehicles and equipment.