Richland County, South Carolina

Richland County Logo

Navigation

  • Online Services

    Online Services

    Save time with our convenient online services.

    Find out more
    • Online Payments
    • Family Court Calendar
    • Business Service Center
    • GIS & Mapping
    • Online Data Services
    • Voters and Districts
    • Watch County Council Live
    • General Session Motion Rosters
    • Inmate Inquiry
    • Family Court Payment Inquiry
    • Public Court Records Search
    • Common Pleas Court Roster
    • Master In Equity Court Rosters
    • Summary Court Dockets
    • Locate a Lost Pet
    • Hazardous Material Registration
    • Business Personal Property Return
    • Vehicle, Real Estate, Business & Personal Tax
    • Property Value & Tax Estimate
    • Assessor Mailing Address Change
    • Assessor Legal Residence Application
    • Agricultural Real Property Application
    • Homestead Exemption Application
    • Estate Inquiry
    • Marriage License Inquiry
    • Marriage License Application
  • Residents

    Residents

    Find services, schools, and safety information.

    Find out more
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Housing
      • Home Ownership Assistance
      • Homeowner Rehabilitation
    • Information for Residents
      • Local Hospitals
      • Schools
      • Getting Around Richland County
      • Automobile Registration & Driver's License
      • Pet Licenses
      • Voter Registration
      • Jury Duty
      • Solid Waste & Recycling
      • Local Utility Providers
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Vector Control
      • Mosquitoes
      • Diseases Spread By Mosquitoes
      • Beekeeper Information
  • Businesses

    Businesses

    Competitive tax incentives make Richland County a great place to do business.

    Find out more
    • Doing Business with Richland County
      • Accounts Payable Information
    • Running a Business
      • Hospitality Tax Information
        • Taxable Items
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Forms
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
      • About Us
      • Solicitations
      • Announcements
      • Vendors
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government

    Government

    Access a complete listing of Richland County departments, committees, and courts.

    Find out more
    • Advisory Councils
      • Central Midlands Council of Governments
      • Lexington Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Control
      • Richland County Neighborhood Council
      • Solid Waste Advisory Council
      • Community Relations Council
    • Boards
      • Board of Assessment Appeals
      • Building Board of Adjustment and Appeal
      • Business Service Center Appeals Board
      • Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA)
      • Historic Columbia Foundation
      • Library Board of Trustees
      • Performing Arts Center Board
      • Richland Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees
      • River Alliance Board
      • The Township Auditorium
      • Elections and Voter Registration Board
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2013
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2012
        • Agendas, Minutes and Actions - 2011
      • Board of Zoning Appeals
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes, & Actions - Prior Years
    • County Council
      • Clerk of Council
      • News
      • County Council Districts
      • County Council Members
        • Gretchen Barron
        • Jason Branham
        • Cheryl English
        • Paul Livingston
          • Paul Livingston Bio Part II
        • Jesica Mackey
        • Chakisse Newton
        • Derrek Pugh
        • Allison Terracio
        • Don Weaver
        • Tyra Little
        • Tish Dozier Alleyne
      • Strategic Plan
      • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Motions Search
    • Courts and Judicial System
      • Clerk of Court
        • General Sessions
        • Jury Information
        • Clerk of Court Staff
        • Common Pleas
      • Family Court
      • Magistrates
        • Magistrates Court Forms
      • Probate Court
        • Amy McCulloch, Probate Judge
        • Probate Court Divisions
          • Estate Division
          • Guardian & Conservatorship
          • Records Division
          • Marriage License
          • Commitment
        • Filing Fees
        • History
        • Workshops
        • Probate Terms
        • Probate Contacts
        • Forms
      • Public Defender
      • Solicitor
      • Master-in-Equity
    • Departments
      • Department Directory
      • Animal Care
        • Facts
          • About
          • Disaster
          • Info
        • FAQ
        • Licensing
        • Links
        • Cat Diversion
        • View Animals
      • Budget and Grants Management
        • Annual Budget Reports
          • Current Fiscal Year Reports
          • Prior Fiscal Years Reports
        • ARPA Grants Applications
      • Building Codes & Inspections
        • Plans Review
        • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Contacts
      • Business Operations
        • Central Services
        • Finance
          • Accounts Payable Check Register
          • Reporting
          • ACFR Reports
          • Financial Transparency Reporting
          • Procurement Card Register
          • Annual Budget Reports
        • GIS & Mapping
        • Human Resources
        • Information Technology
        • Procurement
        • Register of Deeds
          • Frequently Asked Questions
        • Small Local Business Enterprises
      • Community Development
        • Community Development Programs
          • Homeownership
          • Homeowner Rehabilitation
          • Public Improvements
          • Stimulus Projects
          • Neighborhood Revitalization
        • CDBG Mitigation
        • Community Development News
        • Housing & Urban Development
          • Fair Housing
        • Quail Creek
      • Conservation
        • Soil & Water Conservation District
          • About
          • Natural Resources Conservation
          • Youth Education
          • Join Us
          • Conservation District News
          • Board Meetings
        • Conservation Commission
          • Richland County Heritage Tour
        • Pinewood Lake Park
          • Rules
          • Picnic Shelters
          • Fishing and Boating
          • Trails and Fitness
          • Demonstration Garden
          • Park History
          • Natural History
      • Executive
        • Administration
        • Ombudsman
        • Clerk of Council
      • Health & Social Services
      • Government and Community Services
        • Homeowners Associations
      • Grants
        • Accommodations Tax
        • Hospitality Tax
        • Community Impact Grants
      • Legislative
        • Legislative Delegation
      • Licensing & Registration
        • Animal Care
        • Business Service Center
          • BSC Online Services
          • Proposed Bag Ordinance
            • More Info for Residents
              • Take the Resident Survey
            • More Info for Businesses
              • Take the Business Survey
            • More Resources
            • Ordinance Timeline
            • Updates from County Council
            • Plastics and Recycling Q & A
        • Marriage License Inquiry
        • Planning & Development
        • Register of Deeds
        • Residential Rental Property Registration
      • OSBO
        • Home
          • About Us
          • Workshops & Events
          • News
        • Services
        • Resources
          • Ordinances
        • Steps
          • Is My Business Eligible?
          • Submit an Application
          • Certification Process
        • Contracting
      • Public Information Office
      • Public Safety
        • Animal Care
        • Coroner
        • Detention Center
          • PREA
        • Emergency Services
        • Richland County Sheriff's Department
        • SC Department of Public Safety
        • SC Law Enforcement Division
        • Victim/Witness Assistance
      • Public Works
        • GIS Public Works
        • Special Services
        • Jim Hamilton-LB Owens Airport (CUB)
        • Roads & Drainage Maintenance
        • Department Projects
        • Engineering
        • Solid Waste & Recycling
          • Curbside Pick-up
            • Recycling
            • New Account Set-up and Moving
            • Handicapped Service Options
            • Roll Cart Care
            • Household Garbage
            • Yard Waste
            • Bulk and Large Items
            • Evictions and Unwanted Items
            • Household Hazardous Waste
          • Drop-off Facilities
            • Residential and Commercial
            • Accepted Items
            • Transporting Loads
            • Illegal Dumping
            • Drop-off Locations
          • Solid Waste and Recycling Service Areas
        • Stormwater Management
          • Construction
          • Education and Public Involvement
          • Inspections
          • Monitoring
          • Ordinances
          • Capital Improvement Projects
        • Transportation Roadmap
          • Archive
      • Taxes
        • Pay Online
        • Treasurer
          • Tax Payment Options
          • Planned Payments
          • Frequently Asked Questions
          • Treasurer News
          • Treasurer News Archive
          • FLC Available Properties
          • Kendra L Dove
        • Assessor
          • Legal Residence Clarification
          • Agriculture Use Value
          • Classification of Property
          • Example of Appraisal Notice
          • How to Challenge Your Value or Assessment
          • Property Appraised by the SC Department of Revenue
          • Taxes & Fair Assessment
          • School Tax Credit
          • 2014 Reassessment Program
        • Auditor
          • Property
          • Tax Exemptions
        • Hospitality Tax
      • Utilities
        • Water
          • Water Rates Schedule
          • Water System Consumer Confidence Reports
        • Sewer
          • Industrial Pretreatment Rates Schedule
          • Sanitary Rates Schedule
        • Forms
        • Procurement
        • Learn
        • News
        • About
        • Service Area Map
        • Current Alerts
        • Development
        • Other Utility Providers
        • Billing & Service
          • Establish Service
          • Cancel Service
          • Billing Adjustment
          • Delinquent Accounts
          • Special Power of Attorney
        • Contact Us
      • Transportation Penny
        • Projects
      • Voter Registration & Elections
        • About Us
        • Elections
        • Election Results
          • 2017
          • 2018
          • 2019
          • 2020
          • 2021
          • 2022
          • 2023
          • 2024
        • Voter Registration
        • Outreach
        • Board of Directors
          • Board Information
            • Board Meeting - Agendas and Minutes
            • Board Meetings - Agendas and Minutes - Prior Years
        • Early & Absentee Voting
        • Election Workers
      • Planning & Development
        • Comprehensive Planning
        • Neighborhood Planning
          • RCNC
          • Grants
          • Master Plans
          • Events
          • Planning Month
        • Sustainability Planning
          • Accomplishments
          • News
          • Publications
          • Resources
          • Sustainability Tour
        • E-911 Addressing and Road Naming
        • Floodplain Management
          • FPBasics
          • DevReview
          • Mapping
          • Prep
          • Property
          • Drainage
          • Info
        • Land Development Code
    • Ordinances
      • Recently Approved Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
      • Accommodations Tax Advisory Committee
      • Ad Hoc and Short Term Committees
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Administration and Finance Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Animal Care Advisory Committee
      • Development and Services Committee
        • Agenda, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Discretionary Grant Fund Review Committee
      • Economic Development Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Employee Grievance Committee
      • Hospitality Tax Advisory Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
      • Internal Audit Committee
      • Nulla Bona Committee
      • Rules and Appointments Committee
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
      • Transportation Penny Advisory Committee
    • Commissions
      • Airport Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
      • Conservation Commission
        • Agendas & Minutes
        • Agendas & Minutes - Prior Years
        • Commission News
        • Natural Resources
          • Natural Resource Grants
          • Conservation Easements
          • Richland County Trail Map
          • Projects
        • Historic Preservation
          • Cemeteries
          • Historic Preservation Grants
          • Bailey Bill
          • Historic Site Inventory
          • Architectural Surveys
          • Projects
          • Historical Markers
          • Historic Preservation Plan
        • Partners
        • Commission Members
        • Richland County Heritage Tour
      • Convention Center Commission
      • East Richland Public Service Commission
      • Music Festival Commission
      • Richland County Recreation Commission
      • Riverbanks Park Commission
      • Elections Commission
      • Planning Commission
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions
        • Agendas, Minutes & Actions - Prior Years
  • Visitors

    Visitors

    Part rustic natural beauty, part vibrant city scene - Richland County offers something for everyone!

    Find out more
  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA
Menu Search

One-Call Response Center 24 Hours (803) 929-6000

Media Contact

General Media Requests:
pio@richlandcountysc.gov

 

Time-sensitive Media Requests:
media@richlandcountysc.gov

facebook

 

twitter  You Tube

 


 

Richland County Penny Projects Lead to More Green Space Down the Road

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

The Richland County Transportation Penny Program is paving the way for more public access to green spaces and the conservation of hundreds of acres of wetlands and other natural habitats.

The County recently purchased a large tract of property in Lower Richland to maintain the ecological balance and character of its “rich land” as momentum builds under the penny program. Preserving or restoring natural habitats in advance of penny projects allows related road construction to move forward more quickly by avoiding unnecessary delays in obtaining permits from state or federal authorities.

“This is another way the penny program is working for residents,” said Richland County Council Chairman Torrey Rush.

The Transportation Penny Program was approved by voters in November 2012 and includes projects throughout Richland County during a period of 22 years or until a total of $1.07 billion in sales tax revenue is collected, whichever occurs first. The program includes a wide range of projects, such as road widenings, intersection improvements, sidewalks, bikeways, dirt road paving and greenways.

In 2014, County officials conserved more than 2,300 acres of undeveloped land in Lower Richland where the properties, among other things, will provide more vital green space and offer greater opportunities for outdoor activities. Richland’s preservation efforts also may aid development efforts in adjacent counties where officials need to compensate for the loss of natural habitats.

“These properties are an investment in Richland County’s economic growth that will provide dividends to residents through cost savings, protection of natural resources and improved recreational opportunities,” Rush said. “The acquisition of these tracts of land will pay off for generations to come.”

The properties the County purchased include Mill Creek, a 1,750-acre tract along the Congaree River. The Mill Creek property was bought with penny funds to offset impacts from penny projects.

“County Council decided to purchase the Mill Creek property to provide required compensation for penny project construction impacts and additional public access to the Congaree River and surrounding floodplain wetlands,” said Quinton Epps, director of the Richland County Conservation Department. “This was a proactive step to preserve the rural character of the County and prevent delays to penny projects, while protecting our natural resources.”

Opportunities to acquire land to mitigate, or lessen, the impact of development are scarce in the Midlands. However, conservation efforts can be tied to the success of specific transportation projects. For instance, the permitting process is ahead of schedule because of the excellent response and cooperation of the permitting agencies. Once the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers signs off on conservation plans for the Mill Creek property, the County is expected to save nearly $1 million in the Shop Road extension project.

“The extension of Shop Road will provide access to the new Pineview Industrial Park, a 750-acre Class A industrial park being developed by Richland County,” said Nelson Lindsey, the County’s economic development director.

“Located at the intersection of Pineview and Shop roads, this industrial park is inaccessible to the general public until the extension of Shop Road is completed,” Lindsey said. “At full development, the park could house multiple manufacturers employing several thousand workers.”

In addition to the Mill Creek land bought with penny funds to offset penny projects, the County also purchased another property for conservation efforts. Using a different source of funding, the County acquired the 604-acre Cabin Branch property near the community of Hopkins.

Purchasing the Mill Creek and Cabin Branch properties benefits the County economically by opening the door to increased opportunities for eco-tourism.

The Mill Creek land is full of streams, including the Dead River, which has a concrete dam and retention pond. The dam will be removed to restore the natural flow of water and re-establish the bottomland hardwood forest. The floodplain also will be re-established and the County plans to create public river access and opportunities for hiking, bird watching, biking, fishing and hunting, in conjunction with the mitigation plan.

Cabin Branch is one of several area creeks that flow into Congaree National Park. The property is adjacent to forested land already owned by the County and near properties protected through conservation easements. The Cabin Branch property is vital for the green space it will provide because of its location near a more urbanized area.

“The public will benefit from the nature-based recreational opportunities these lands afford,” Epps said. “And the economic benefits of greenways are clear. We don’t have to look far to see how these types of projects have helped other communities.”

Six years ago, Greenville County opened the Greenville Health System (GHS) Swamp Rabbit Trail, an 18.6-mile, multi-use trail system that’s already become a major economic driver.

“Tourists visiting Greenville County to use the GHS Swamp Rabbit Trail leave $6.7 million dollars in our economy every year, money that supports 111 trail-related jobs,” said Ty Houck, the greenways director for Greenville County. “These jobs will never be outsourced and the business of trails is something that will never relocate.”

In Mecklenburg County, N.C., Charlotte’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a key driver for drawing residents and visitors downtown. The County spent $11.7 million uncapping Little Sugar Creek – which was hidden under concrete – to establish the greenway.

“It’s a great economic tool,” Charlotte City Councilwoman Patsy Keensy said.

Greenway projects in Richland County are expected to reap similar financial gains for South Carolina’s capital county. Early indications are that some businesses near the Midlands existing greenway projects – such as the Three Rivers Greenway Riverwalk – are experiencing an uptick in revenue.

Chris Kueny, owner of Sub Station II in Cayce, said business at his sandwich shop has grown about 10 percent over last year and he attributes that in part to the greenway bringing in more people looking for a bite to eat after walking, running or biking.

“We benefit from people who come in for lunch or bottled water,” said Kueny, who has been in business at the Knox Abbott location for 15 years. “Showing growth like this is remarkable.”

Comments like these are ringing endorsements for the economic benefits of green spaces in growing communities.

“Richland County has worked diligently to ensure the progression of projects that continue to drive economic development and preserve our natural resources,” Rush said. “Richland County will continue to create an array of opportunities for our residents, visitors and businesses.”


Message sent.
Name: Please enter your name. Please enter your name.
Email: Please enter a valid email address. Please enter a valid email address. Please enter your email.
Subject: Please enter a subject Please enter a subject
Message: Please enter the message.
x

Have a question or concern?

Contact the Ombudsman
One-Call Response Center

  • Call: (803) 929-6000
  • Email: ombudsman
  Search

Home

  • About Richland County
  • Careers
  • News
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • FOIA

Find My District

Stay on top of issues affecting your area. District hearings, school closings, voting locations and more!

Get Started
Emergency Preparedness
Captcha
Email Address RequiredIncorrect Format
  • Home
    • About Richland County
    • Careers
    • News
    • Events
    • Contact Us
    • FOIA
  • Residents
    • Engage Richland
    • Education
    • Health & Social Services
    • Libraries
    • Public Safety
    • Housing
    • Information for Residents
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Vector Control
  • Businesses
    • Doing Business with Richland County
    • Running a Business
    • Starting a Business
    • Procurement & Contracting
    • Office of Small Business Opportunity (OSBO)
  • Government
    • Advisory Councils
    • Boards
    • County Council
    • Courts and Judicial System
    • Departments
    • Ordinances
    • Elected Offices
    • County ADA Compliance
    • Committees
    • Commissions
  • Visitors

Richland County
South Carolina

Mailing Address
2020 Hampton Street
P.O. Box 192
Columbia, SC 29201

Physical Address
2020 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29204

One-Call Response Center
24 Hours (803) 929-6000

ombudsman@richlandcountysc.gov

More Information

  • Richland County ADA Compliance
  • Title VI Public Participation Plan
  • Legal Disclaimer
  • Privacy Disclaimer
  • Sitemap

Follow us

Follow @RichlandSC

© Richland County, S.C. | Website by Cyberwoven