Forecast 2019

It’s been a good year for business in West Columbia.

The city is on pace in 2018 to record an 80% increase in the number of business licenses it issues.

“It has been a super busy year,” said Melissa Sprouse-Browne, who owns the Real Estate School of South Carolina, South Carolina Realty and The Marketing Division in West Columbia.

“I’ve had five closings (homes sold) in the month of December,” she said. “Five closings in a month is always good, but it’s especially good for December.”

She also said West Columbia is a desirable location. Some big projects are helping draw people.

“The home values in West Columbia are on an upward trend,” said Sprouse-Browne, who is the chairwoman of the West Columbia Beautification Foundation.

A man she was showing a New Brookland Mill Village house told her West Columbia’s new enabling park is what drew him to the area. West Columbia has also broken ground on an interactive art park off of Meeting Street.

The multi-million dollar Brookland complex opened in 2018 and will be completed in 2019.

“There’s just a lot of energy in West Columbia,” said Bill Mooneyhan of Mooneyhan Auto Repair in Triangle City. He said he is excited about the possibility of a Tax Increment Financing plan that would spur more investment for improvements to Triangle City on 12th Street.

Mooneyhan said his business is growing rapidly.

“We are finishing our 3rd record-breaking year in a row,” he said.

He expects to hire more people and expand his building in 2019.

“We are attracting a lot of new people to West Columbia.”

Mooneyhan serves on the West Columbia Planning Commission and the West Columbia Beautification Foundation Board.

“When I go to functions now, about half the people I see attending are new faces,” said Mooneyhan. “They are young, and there are couples coming. They like the location, the lower cost for services and the direction the city is moving in. This is the best side of the river.”

Sprouse-Brown said she sees a revitalization movement going on in West Columbia.

“People want to get in on the ground floor,” she said.

City leaders are aware of what is happening.

“I feel the city is moving in a direction that is unprecedented,” said West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton.

“All of the feedback I get is underpinned with an excitement and hopefulness that is uplifting.

“I feel thankful for all that has taken place this year. And I really think the new year will have even more good things in it for West Columbia.

“I’m exited about the people choosing to move here. They know what we know. West Columbia is an excellent place to call your home.”