[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633604,"mediaKeyId","2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17","parentId",2663909,"title","COMET reports February ridership dip and positive January net income in monthly update to TPAC","audioSeconds",179,"startMs",755000,"endMs",934000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17&start=755&end=934","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17/thumbnail_755000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633604/Richland-County/South-Carolina/COMET-reports-February-ridership-dip-and-positive-January-net-income-in-monthly-update-to-TPAC","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633604-9ea5b97e0e79a61aec85be922a54fbdd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160689&Signature=XcbGEoKzw8UuvYgOmcz73SKilnQ56wq72AKq7I8Oq0VUxaYzP4-KN3Zy9CCLdVO0SSmewDoWbuP91NSPe-CPBBaYGV1rUqg2ySn~Jc6TOZNR~BqiRhpULLAUa4ECXrSeBAsNt7jEw5HLfOZvtjpE50vVpQu3~aauUQvwlgpQaoLedRY94rFyOu2bstmJ~m4NsNf5lWRqMoaoyImporRL96P9WZiHhpXo1xcmB~-MzbHCBP5h8rIXn6gmS1~IiOn-nms18~pIj1dgSg4sy1DeBm~zWeev--iB~s7~RR5yyIcBAFKbRUTZcJiVAiBd-w9H6mG8u~GXztuoTOd8kRzL5A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Richland County","date","2025-03-17T21:05:26.617Z","article","A representative presenting on behalf of The COMET provided TPAC with February ridership figures, month-to-month comparisons and a condensed financial update for January 2025.

The presenter said fixed-route ridership for February was \"a little over 123,000,\" a roughly 6% decrease compared with the same month the prior year. The presenter noted part of the month-to-month variance may be explained by January service interruptions: in January the system suspended service for one full day and ended service early on another day, while February had shorter service days but no full-day suspension.

The COMET presenter also reported average daily ridership trends, a GameStop (shuttle) ridership total of about 42,000 boardings (an increase from January) and a financial position showing net income for January 2025 just shy of $750,000. The presenter said COMET also reported on Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) payments to local DBE firms and that staff would take questions; TPAC had no substantive questions during the presentation.

The COMET representative closed the report and TPAC moved on to the next agenda items.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Monthly Transportation Penny Advisory Committee Meeting, March 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A COMET representative reported February fixed-route ridership slightly down year-over-year and month-to-month, attributed in part to January service suspensions; staff also presented a January 2025 net income figure and DBE spending information.","taxTitle","Richland County, South Carolina","taxId",3705,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633607,"Richland County OSBO reports 253 certified SLBEs, announces March 20 workshop on financing",143,541000,684000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17&start=541&end=684","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17/thumbnail_541000.jpg","/articles/6633607/Richland-County/South-Carolina/Richland-County-OSBO-reports-253-certified-SLBEs-announces-March-20-workshop-on-financing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633607-29feb3d6344cf44761142205563b3e15/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160689&Signature=MfNRbYfIzhTRQ4f05ySND7UOURC3Wfy7YYJJag-ZozSus1vGBTXzjEgCQ8Fughzk5SwVSBUchGqISRs8QHriSdQ93xREMlHeTH7ScvMTjok8KiEn0jzPMwwPKWNk78Z~Kt3qJS5MPD41nyTUI9cNx-GBUVlqx6f84NwhgrXrLeW2K6WRq7T0QYUcb-lVvYulYURtJWhxx8BjiFDfYXg9RM4lE8z3u~wrAiIun14C4LFbj6VGNq~3iM0KCCrP9zFAPWgDiSWnOS3wFBYm00r-G4f7YEp0OzvAYKDcH-VdK0LV801E78WS69tY8LDx8OsZXYjSDrKxNViEFtyxHZeOug__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunities reported 253 certified Small Local Business Enterprises (SLBEs) and announced an in-person business workshop titled \"Finance Forward: Unlocking Access to Capital\" for Thursday, March 20.

OSBO staff gave a breakdown of current SLBE certifications: 7 architectural and engineering, 63 construction, 99 nonprofessional services, 78 professional services and 6 wholesale firms, for a total of 253 certified SLBEs. The office also reported six pending new applications and 16 renewals.

OSBO said the March 20 workshop will run from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Richland County Administration Building, Fourth Floor Conference Room at 2020 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29204. The workshop will include a panel discussion on assessing small-business needs, preparing businesses for funding, and funding options including alternative, conventional and microlending. OSBO listed Collaborative partners including Capital Funding Solutions, South Carolina Community Loan Fund, Community Works and Security Federal Bank and said lunch will be provided.

Registration information provided by OSBO: seats are limited and registration closes Wednesday at noon; interested parties were directed to richlandcountysc.gov/osbo or to OSBO's office phone at (803) 576-1540. OSBO staff also said the office is actively recruiting small local firms for certification and outreach.","Richland County Office of Small Business Opportunities (OSBO) reported 253 certified small local business enterprises (SLBEs) across service categories and announced an in-person workshop \"Finance Forward: Unlocking Access to Capital\" on Thursday, March 20, at the Richland County Administration Building.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633612,"TPAC approves response letter seeking larger committee role in 2025 State of the Penny event",892,3146000,4038000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17&start=3146&end=4038","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17/thumbnail_3146000.jpg","/articles/6633612/Richland-County/South-Carolina/TPAC-approves-response-letter-seeking-larger-committee-role-in-2025-State-of-the-Penny-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633612-ce12e32bab3641906d838f1574bc3b12/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160689&Signature=Mlwcv~kBctt2BWrY8nvEx7obA7v0RztgNJXqDOdlKvTOuzbilhVb5DWr8FO6Bu44JmzmVv3gc0gPYgwKPHkGcUZPRWNkaUE4-SxyLzut2MY4SUsTi2C3zT3quGoie2eEFCRsZXGY~JWL~u-oqxkVBb8IaJO8AZ1DcMwlZoU-tub3yMMfSlrgordS1CEE2jxKq6c23tNlo4Kr68dJHdtaepEFVuI0GheueKBhJfzI2PpqT54vL~9g5t~-K9WtAqUB-UHyQm8x3wM6rawdQUQShdnMicyu7UM6xLH8P3qd716RSaCphyYXO0fZn5rGq6UwAe75c9E3UqBwpmBKrX20dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Planning Advisory Committee voted to approve and send a revised response letter recommending TPAC play a central role in planning and moderating the 2025 \"State of the Penny\" event.

TPAC members said the 2024 event, led by TPAC leadership, successfully showcased penny-program accomplishments and fostered stakeholder engagement. In a read-aloud of the draft letter, the committee's authors argued the Office of Communications' initial 2025 format reduced TPAC's role to a brief appearance by the chair and that TPAC's oversight and facilitation responsibilities should remain central.

The draft letter (prepared collaboratively by TPAC Chair John Black, Vice Chair Praylow and TPAC Secretary Chris Kiefer) asked that the event be opened and moderated by TPAC leadership rather than the county administrator and that the agenda mirror last year's inclusive format, with presentations from Public Works, SCDOT, Richland County Economic Development, the communications office and the Office of Small Business Opportunities.

TPAC members noted a procedural issue: the committee had circulated feedback on the 2024/2025 outline in December 2024 but that some of the earlier input may not have been recorded as formal committee action because of quorum questions. Staff advised TPAC that, to secure an official response from the county, TPAC should take formal action as a body; the committee did so.

A motion to approve the 2025 State of the Penny response letter, with appropriate revisions, was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote. The committee chair said the corrected letter would be distributed promptly to County Council, the Transportation Ad Hoc Committee and the Office of Communications.","TPAC approved a draft letter asking the Office of Communications to restore a substantive TPAC role in the 2025 State of the Penny presentation and to use a collaborative agenda format similar to 2024; the committee voted to send the revised letter to County Council and Transportation Ad Hoc members.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633617,"TPAC approves up to $1 million for airport pavement and circulation work",192,2318000,2510000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17&start=2318&end=2510","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17/thumbnail_2318000.jpg","/articles/6633617/Richland-County/South-Carolina/TPAC-approves-up-to-1-million-for-airport-pavement-and-circulation-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633617-b19e02116beb1d90a9ca5efa8e6d7f5b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160689&Signature=IKB42DIwjhgZungGLlo5ake0KAZyUlsT912CldciPvNb1uGVd5NzC7wObvv4IORde3C9lH5MzaR4ZdOg4OJcNfwmaxqRcbf-YF3AsB0btmTq~RqqcleJ2FixfzSG~BV5g2V1SvlEbbaveJdaYGMJuO1pSRU-nrVa4tfYgSzCYsKYmG7CDoHvBh7Qa9uzLVCTfH11XvHZCBTEGBU76rb-Yxq4pKtEh4hpGislCzHrJhDFyynnHGPWAd6m0WYCfxJhbt~kN7vSJbR0o-sCEXxKJiYTg4QCiZOD6YA5obuVQyJQ5N3Zj2qwzslYOQ8sG9O8LTDhSsykNrMlkd72MpqRVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Transportation Planning Advisory Committee approved reallocating up to $1,000,000 of special-project funds to aviation-related pavement and circulation needs at Jim Hamilton L.B. Owens Airport.

Staff described the request as a reallocation of a portion of the Commerce Drive special-project budget for airport use, noting that some airport pavement items (for example, parking, T-hangar areas and vehicle circulation) are typically locally funded while other airfield items receive FAA funding with a required local match. Staff estimated local non-FAA-funded pavement work could be in the neighborhood of $600,000 and an additional local share for FAA-eligible work could be roughly $400,000, and said the request would not exceed $1,000,000 for aviation use.

A motion to consider up to $1,000,000 for aviation use at Jim Hamilton Airport was moved by TPAC leadership and seconded; the committee voted in favor and the motion carried. The transcript records the motion as moved by Miss Praylow and seconded by Chris Kiefer. TPAC chair called for the ayes and recorded no opposition during the vote.

Committee members discussed timing and local priorities for Commerce Drive and related projects; staff said the airport coordinates closely with FAA on capital projects and that locally funded circulation and parking areas are commonly funded with county or special-project dollars. The committee did not attach additional conditions in the recorded motion.

The approved allocation is a county-level reallocation of special-project funds and will be administered through Richland County Public Works and airport staff for the specified pavement and circulation items identified in the staff presentation.","TPAC approved a request to allocate up to $1,000,000 of county special-project funds for aviation-related pavement, parking and local-match needs at Jim Hamilton'L.B. Owens Airport; the committee moved and seconded the measure and approved it without recorded opposition.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633620,"TPAC recommends county council accept final transportation needs assessment",1310,966000,2276000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17&start=966&end=2276","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2663909-2fa6ba48ae9f39ffda916090b5a77b17/thumbnail_966000.jpg","/articles/6633620/Richland-County/South-Carolina/TPAC-recommends-county-council-accept-final-transportation-needs-assessment","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633620-4fcf68755ba3273cf80fd2da7f3a218f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160689&Signature=CZGt3qLrXNwzBIsMSpdZa2B5rSDGiVOubbTYpXTGKdisWpCCdujycxPsoVpliNn3IyQ-FDAEBRPD0MkS8N-ex6lkKTWLsZqmejP-cUbBl0CbWqnPm0awta39KsHqSoNQ8CVUnf0aNfb6UkcZuHoxj7KfWOdao2WnTRz65lFXUgCX0H12FpUIhZZ9TOc3kbVquBoA9XEbglvjL~j1FItF83de8ZdwOulzP0YNhrzdn7PSD3XBZhATAYJs5HWI3C7DIQuMlMrA7pvoU13M3P9Yj~jAtnY8DqIBSSQeWtu8WdaS~Z3Z8G-TNpHIp3GAwuIgDz0vn9ToX-tDI82a14eJTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Richland County Transportation Planning Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend that County Council accept the final Transportation Needs Assessment report prepared by the county's consultant.

Committee members and staff framed the document as a comprehensive, living inventory of previously planned projects, public-input items and carryover projects from the prior penny program. Director Maloney said the report \"starts with the outreach and shows the maps of the various projects that had been planned\" and that the document identifies projects sourced from Central Midlands Council of Governments, municipalities, SCDOT and public input.

The report compiles programmatic categories (sidewalks, greenways, resurfacing, intersection work and bikeways) and a list of projects the consultant identified during the outreach. Maloney told TPAC the committee's project manager is consolidating intersection proposals into a single list and that the county will issue an RFP to secure traffic-engineering support to evaluate whether intersections warrant traffic signals. He said many intersections identified by the public will require further vetting to confirm traffic volumes and feasibility.

Committee members pressed for clarity about how carryover projects (projects begun under the first penny program) would be prioritized within the new program. Maloney explained the county intends to launch design for those carryover projects first, but noted that costs rose under Penny 1 because of inflation and a referendum cap that limited bond amounts; he said the carryovers and new projects will be prioritized within program groups (for example, sidewalks vs. sidewalks) as budgets and bonding decisions are made.

Public comment touched on a separate, localized concern: a resident asked for status on the Sunset Drive sidewalk project and when the road reopening could be expected. Maloney said retaining walls and adjacent shoring delayed reopening but that crews were backfilling the wall and traffic restoration should follow once the shoring is removed; he added crews will stage sidewalk concrete work with flagging to maintain single-lane traffic when trucks are present.

TPAC members and staff discussed process and recordkeeping: several members noted TPAC had previously reviewed parts of the work and that the committee had provided feedback in late 2024, but the final report had not been formally accepted by TPAC. The motion before TPAC asked the committee to accept the consultant's final report as presented so the acceptance could be forwarded to County Council and documented as the final record.

A motion to accept the final Transportation Needs Assessment as presented was moved and seconded; the committee voted and the recommendation to County Council passed unanimously.

TPAC asked staff to maintain a clear source column showing whether each proposed intersection or project came from Central Midlands COG, a municipality, SCDOT or public input, and to proceed with technical vetting and consultant support for intersection warrant evaluations. The committee also discussed annual programming of community-investment categories so smaller jurisdictions and safety-focused projects (for example, sidewalks to schools) receive attention independent of raw traffic-volume metrics.

The committee will forward the recommendation and the final report to County Council and retain the needs assessment as a living document to guide programming, design launches and future RFPs for engineering support.","Richland County Transportation Planning Advisory Committee voted unanimously to recommend acceptance of the county'wide Transportation Needs Assessment final report and to forward it to County Council for formal acceptance, while staff outlined project lists and next steps for vetting intersections and program categories.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

COMET reports February ridership dip and positive January net income in monthly update to TPAC

Richland County OSBO reports 253 certified SLBEs, announces March 20 workshop on financing

TPAC approves response letter seeking larger committee role in 2025 State of the Penny event

TPAC approves up to $1 million for airport pavement and circulation work

TPAC recommends county council accept final transportation needs assessment