West Columbia is booming.

That was the message from Mayor Tem Miles Tuesday as he addressed the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce Business Breakfast at Stone River on Nov. 23

West Columbia is the second-fastest growing municipality in Lexington County. B.J. Unthank, West Columbia’s economic development director, said the city’s population increased more than 19 %in the last five years. He also said the number of business licenses issued by the city has risen by 26%.

“We’ve had such a good run,” Miles said, “and I’m excited to stand here and tell you we have as much stuff in the hopper in various stages of approval or bringing about to the public as we’ve had over the last eight-year period.”

Miles then joked that he could not share any details or “let the cat out the bag” regarding the potential projects. Miles turned the micro

Miles turned the microphone over to Unthank for a presentation.

“There is no better time in history to be in West Columbia,” Unthank said. “This has been such a great run.”

Unthank made note of two new public parks, the Interactive Art Park on Meeting Street and Carraway Children’s Park at Riverwalk.

“That investment in public spaces has really helped to spur private investment,” Unthank said. He also said the Brookland

He also said the Brookland development, at the corner of State and Meeting streets, has been the catalyst for West Columbia’s expansion.

Unthank cited other reasons the city is experiencing rapid growth, including a business friendly city hall, a lower cost to do business, a one-stop shop permitting and planning process, and a clean and safe community. He said West Columbia is in the path of development as the area around it expands.