West Columbia City Council held a special meeting on July 21 to discuss a proposed brand for the Columbia area with the goal of attracting tourism and economic development.

Midlands Business Leadership Group’s Mike Crapps and Tye Price gave a presentation to council explaining the brand proposal developed by the group.

The brand would encompass Cayce, Columbia and West Columbia under the name 3RVRS, a nod to the Broad, Congaree and Saluda Rivers. Council was shown a mock-up logo that includes the 3RVRS branding and a symbol depicting the rivers designed by the group. Council also heard three proposed taglines that could be used in conjunction with the logo.

These include: “Miles of waterfront, moments from home,” “There’s more around the bend” and “Find yourself here.”

The aim of the new brand is to create a shared identity that attracts tourism and economic development by complementing the individual brands of local communities, Price said.

“We believe we have developed a complement brand that strengthens the individual brands of each community without competing with it, without getting in the way,” Price said.

The brand, once adopted, could be used for riverwalk sites. It can also be used for promotional merchandise, such as T-shirts and bags. The Midlands Business Leadership Group worked with the governments of Cayce, Columbia and West Columbia, as well as Richland and Lexington counties on the brand, according to Price.

In other news

Council gave first reading approval for City Administrator Brian Carter to negotiate a contract with an engineering firm for the master plan of the Riverside Water Treatment Plant.

The plant is undergoing an expansion that will increase its water capacity by several million gallons. The project is set for completion in 2027. Council did not name the engineering firm involved in negotiations.

Council also gave first reading approval to temporarily close Center Street for an Oktoberfest event on Oct. 4. The same event closed the street in 2024.

West Columbia’s new Director of Facilities, Mark Stanton, introduced himself to council. Stanton hails from Idaho and recently moved to West Columbia for the position.

Stanton thanked West Columbia’s administrative team for the opportunity. Mayor Tem Miles said he is the “right man for the job,” and is filling a much-needed position.

Council entered executive session to discuss two separate personnel matters relating to City Clerk Crystal Bouknight and City Administrator Carter. Council unanimously approved a 15% bonus and 3% merit increase to Carter’s salary after the session.