City Manager Teresa Wilson

COLUMBIA CITY MANAGER TERESA WILSON As a municipal trailblazer, City Manager Teresa Wilson leads the executive team for South Carolina’s capital city. Columbia is a fast-paced city that is growing and developing on a daily basis, but City Manager Teresa Wilson is up to the task and she is focused on taking the city’s operations to the next level.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Wilson Featured as Keynote Speaker at Fort Jackson

City Manager Teresa Wilson was this year’s Black History Month speaker at Fort Jackson.  Wilson spoke about African-Americans in Times of War during a special luncheon that was held for an audience of both active and retired members of the military.  Approximately 400 people were in attendance at this annual event that is hosted by officials at Fort Jackson. Wilson not only thanked all members of the military for their service, but she also mentioned members of her own family who have served their country in various branches of the military, including her father and her fiancé’.

For more photos from this event, click here

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Photo Caption: City Manager Teresa Wilson (third from the right) is pictured with President W. Franklin Evans, Ed.D., Voorhees College; President Roslyn Artis, Ed.D., Benedict College; Advisory Board Vice-Chair Jerry Adger, SC Dept. of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; Advisory Board Secretary Jessica Cornish Ph.D., SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control; and President Henry N. Tisdale, Ph.D., Claflin University.

Wilson voted chairperson of Advisory Council

On Wednesday, January 24, 2018, City Manager Teresa Wilson was voted the chairperson of the Carolina Cluster Public-Sector Executive Advisory Council. Wilson was selected last year to participate on the 20-member board comprised of leaders of local government and state agencies.

The Carolina Cluster is comprised of three historically black colleges and universities: Claflin University, Benedict College and Voorhees College. The goal of the cluster is to develop and enhance student preparation for success in the workplace.  The collaborative effort to develop and enhance student preparation for success in the workplace is made possible by a five-year $6 million grant from the United Negro College Fund Career Pathways Initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment, Incorporated.  

Wilson says, “It is indeed my desire to serve with distinction as chairperson of the Executive Advisory Council in an effort to achieve a more coordinated relationship between the colleges and employees in order to train and retain South Carolina’s talented college students.”

City Manager Teresa Wilson (third from the right) is pictured with President W. Franklin Evans, Ed.D., Voorhees College; President Roslyn Artis, Ed.D., Benedict College; Advisory Board Vice-Chair Jerry Adger, SC Dept. of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; Advisory Board Secretary Jessica Cornish Ph.D., SC Dept. of Health and Environmental Control; and President Henry N. Tisdale, Ph.D., Claflin University.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Wilson speaks at North Columbia Business Association Breakfast Roundtable

On Thursday, February 8, 2018, City Manager Teresa Wilson spoke about ways of improving, new and upcoming developments in North Columbia to an audience of business owners, city employees and citizens at Earlewood Park Community Center. Councilman Sam Davis gave opening remarks prior to City Manager Wilson, discussing economic growth in North Columbia.

The North Columbia Business Association is the central governing body over the business district of North Columbia. While undergoing exciting changes, the NCBA is creating a new brand for the North Columbia area as one united community known as NOMA, debuting early 2018.

Wilson says, “I love to do this, because honestly, it is my opportunity to dialogue with the community. I know that the surge of development that we’re seeing in this area is purposeful. We try to make sure the projects we push are aligned with the Envision Columbia goals.”

Click HERE for additional photos.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Columbia Goes Red for National Heart Health Month

Friday, February 2, 2018 the City of Columbia had a heart to heart with the public, about heart disease. In honor of National Heart Health month, Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine hosted the Go Red Columbia Press Conference in recognition of National Wear Red Day. Citizens, heart disease survivors, and representatives from the American Heart Association gathered to honor and support the woman affected by heart disease, the number 1 killer of women. Both men and women who were in attendance wore red and participated in the community photography session.

“This cause is always so rewarding because through our efforts we are raising awareness about a prevalent disease that impacts the health of women in our city. By educating our community, we empower citizens with information that can have a positive impact on their heart health and overall wellness,” Devine stated.

Councilwoman Devine also announced that the 2018 Midlands Heart Walk will be held on March 24th at the Colonial Life Arena. She also encouraged those in attendance to register for the walk as well as an expo where you can learn more about decreasing your chances of heart disease. Devine will be forming a City of Columbia team and all are welcome to walk with the citywide team.  For more information, contact the City’s Public and Media Relations Department at 803-545-3020 or visit the website at Columbiasc.net.

For additional photos click HERE

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

The City of Columbia hosted a groundbreaking for the City’s Busby Street Community Resource & Training Center at the base of the James Clyburn Memorial Pedestrian Bridge. Construction began the first this week of November with the anticipated completion of 2018. Once completed, the facility will feature a large community center with a conference room and recreation area and a new police substation with state of the art technology capabilities. The second phase of construction is anticipated to start in 2018 will include walking trails, a playground, and plazas on the 1-acre site.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

The City Center Partnership recognized Columbia City Manager Teresa Wilson with the Chairman’s Award during their 16th anniversary celebration and annual meeting last night at the Capital City Club. 

Wilson received The Chairman’s Award from City Center Partnership Chairman Tripp Whitener for her leadership in helping to transform downtown Columbia. Upon receiving the award, Wilson said, “I am honored and I accept the award on behalf of all of the hard working and dedicated city employees who contribute so much to our city every day.” 

“We are very excited to be celebrating our 16th year in the Main Street District,” said Matt Kennell, president and CEO of City Center Partnership(CCP). “We want to give a special thanks to City Manager Teresa Wilson for always supporting CCP’s initiatives and working with us to help implement them in the Main Street District.  Ms. Wilson truly deserves the Chairman’s Award, because she has been instrumental in helping to transform our downtown into what it is today.” Past recipients of The Chairman’s Award include: Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, Ag First, The Nick and Mast General Store.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Veterans Day Parade Gallery

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Veterans Day Parade Continued

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

39th Annual Veterans Day Parade

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

City Officials gathered at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the North Main Street Improvement Project. The Improvement Project includes resurfacing, undergrounding utilities, landscaping, street lighting and improving pedestrian routes and crosswalks. The project is funded with $30 million from the Richland County Transportation Program, a $16.65 million Tiger Grant, a $1.3 million Federal Earmark, and $5.4 million from the City of Columbia for water and sewer work. This Project is expected to be completed by the Summer of 2019.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

For the past 18 years, South Carolina has ranked in the top nine nationally in terms of the rate of women killed by men. Each year, the Violence Policy Center compiles data based on the homicides across the United States and determines the relationship between the victim and the suspect. In 2017, the Violence Policy Center released the rankings based on 2015 data and South Carolina was ranked fifth for the second consecutive year.

The City of Columbia Police Department reports that in 2016, they assisted 132 domestic violence victims. These numbers only represent the times when law enforcement was called to the home and someone was arrested or temporarily removed from the home.

However, domestic violence doesn’t always present as physical violence where an officer is called because the level of anger and violence has escalated out of control. The reality of domestic violence is there are several forms of abuse including: emotional, psychological, financial or sexual. Put downs, disparaging remarks and isolation.

Sistercare, Inc., a Midlands organization that provides shelter and support services to survivors and their children, offers some staggering statistics about the reality of what is taking place in our community. • 331 adults and 179 children were served by Sistercare’s shelters • 3,521 crisis line calls were received • 7,796 individuals were served through community-based programs

This year’s Mayor’s Walk Against Domestic Violence was held Saturday, October 7, 2017, at the Vista Greenway Extension in Finlay Park. The Vista Greenway Extension extends from the Taylor Street side of Finlay Park and under a number of city streets in the Arsenal Hill and Elmwood Park neighborhoods.

At the walk, the City conducted a toiletry and gift card drive for Sistercare, Inc., a private, non-profit, 501(c)3 United Way agency that provides shelter and support services to nearly 7,000 domestic violence survivors and their children in Richland, Lexington, Kershaw, Newberry and Fairfield counties. We thank you for your support of this very worthwhile endeavor to raise awareness of domestic violence and support an agency that is committed to helping domestic violence survivors and their families.  

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

City Manager Teresa Wilson has announced a new leadership team for Columbia Water, which includes the Department of Utility Operations, the Department of Engineering and the Customer Care Division.  The members of the new leadership team are:

Clint Shealy, Assistant City Manager of Columbia Water

Joey Jaco, Director of Utility Operations

Dana Higgins, Director of Engineering

Angela Adams, Customer Care Administrator

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

In support of women entering the workforce, City Manager Teresa Wilson was able to donate clothing, shoes, and purses to Dress for Success Columbia, which is headed by Executive Director Argentini Anderson. This wonderful, world-wide organization that was started in New York was able to go to great lengths to assure that women in transition have access to the appropriate resources needed upon entering or re-entering the workforce. As City Manager Wilson continues to create an impact on growing and developing the City, she also has a firm understanding that success can begin anywhere and at any time in anyone’s lives, despite what lifestyle or financial situation one is going through. Dress for Success continues to welcome those who wish to donate business-style items to their organization and also welcomes those who are in need of business attire prior to entering the workforce. The organization also operates as a career center and offers career coaching to educate women on steps to landing the job, such as resume writing and mock interviews. Dress for Success is also able to lend a hand in finding career opportunities for those who may need assistance with the job hunting process. Many women who are attempting to enter the workforce come from various career organizations, such as Vocational Rehabilitation and the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce. The City of Columbia is an ever-growing city for businesses and entrepreneurship, and will continue to hold various opportunities for its citizens who are looking to grow with it and Dress for Success is excited to continue helping the those in need to grow. Dress for Success Columbia, 1804 Hampton St., is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All donations are accepted by appointment. For more information about Dress for Success Columbia, visit https://columbia.dressforsuccess.org/ or call 803-814-0413.

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

City Manager, Teresa Wilson reveals the Busby Street Complex project

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Leading Among Leaders

[columbiacitymanagermswilson]

Columbia City Street was Renamed Dawn Staley Way during the Championship Parade