In 2001, City Center Partnership was formed to manage the downtown Business Improvement District in the 36-block area bounded by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly and Marion streets in Columbia, SC. The organization provides public space management, economic development, place management, marketing services, and public advocacy for the Main Street District. The Board of Directors oversee the organization’s mission — to focus on filling vacancies in commercial properties, retaining existing downtown businesses and recruiting new ones, expanding the downtown residential base, and creating a safe, clean, and friendly downtown environment.
Matt Kennell, President and CEO
matt@citycentercolumbia.scMatt is a native of Virginia and has worked in urban development and management for over 30 years in Florida, Virginia, and South Carolina. He loves spending time with his family and his two crazy Jack Russell Terriers. If you’re looking for him, chances are you will either find him somewhere in the Main Street District or navigating his boat on Lake Murray!
Karel Givens, Vice President, Administration & Development
karel@citycentercolumbia.scKarel is a native New Yorker, avid runner, and travel buff with a special affection for Italy and its culture. She is a huge fan of the New York Giants and Yankees.
Lorri-Ann Carter, Director of Marketing
la@cartertodd.comLorri-Ann is a native of Georgia and has worked in the public relations and marketing industry for nearly 25 years. Her favorite time of the year is football season, when she is pulling for the University of Georgia Bulldogs and the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. And no, that is not a typo!
Jenna Bridgers, Vice President, Recruitment
jenna@citycentercolumbia.scJenna is a native of South Carolina and a 2001 graduate of Wofford College. She is married to Allen and a mother of three precious children. What little spare time she has is spent reading or visiting with family and friends. Jenna is dedicated to helping bring a quality retail mix to the Main Street District.
Hazel Stokes, Administrative Assistant
hazel@citycentercolumbia.scHazel is a native of South Carolina and a very competitive athlete. She played basketball, volleyball and track in high school and played on a community softball team. Be warned…don’t challenge her to a ping pong match! She loves spending time with her family and singing in her church choir.
Allen Franklin, Director of Operations
allen@citycentercolumbia.scAllen is a native of North Carolina and a 1989 graduate of the University of South Carolina. He has over 20 years in retail at a district manager level. Allen’s seven children are the apples of his eye, even though they drive him crazy daily. His greatest pleasures are spending time with his family out on their farm and serving the Main Street District.
R. Matthew Kennell
President & CEO
City Center Partnership, Inc.
Jason Caskey
Treasurer
University of South Carolina Foundations
Rita Patel
Marketing Committee Chair
Hotel Trundle
John C. Griggs, III
Chairman
Synovus Bank
Jeremy Becraft
Long Range Planning Committee Chair
Mast General Store
Sam Johnson
Public Space Committee Chair
Nexsen Pruet
Sharon Bryant
Vice Chairman
First Citizens Bank
Heather Mitchell
Secretary
Boudreaux Group
Allison Terracio
Richland County Council
Amy Reeves
Hertz Properties
Chad Elsey
Cantina 76
Clara Langley
McDonald's
Glen P. Caulk
Nelson Mullins
H. Freeman Belser
Belser & Belser PA
Henri Baskins
Columbia Chamber
Hon. Paul Livingston
Richland County
Hon. Rev. Edward McDowell, Jr.
City of Columbia
Hon. Steve Benjamin
City of Columbia
Jeff Prioreschi
Monarch Capital Ventures
John Andoh
COMET
Lee Mashburn
Mashburn Construction Co., Inc.
Mary Winter Teaster
Colliers International
Paul Bouknight
Prisma Health
Raj Champaneri
Lexington Hospitality
Richard H. Cohn, Sr.
Cohn Construction Services
Robert Lewis
Rogers Lewis Attorneys at Law
Ryan Coleman
City of Columbia
Scott Middleton
LTC Health Solutions
Shelly Little
Arnold Companies
Teresa Wilson
City of Columbia
William Vaughn "LV" Granger, Jr.
Granger Owings
April 1, 2020
We want you to know that, in these very difficult times, City Center Partnership is working to maintain our mission of enhancing the vitality of the community, particularly the Main Street District. We encourage you to support downtown businesses when it’s possible. Many of our restaurants are offering delivery and… Read More
March 10, 2020
Thanks for the shout out Greenville Journal! Discover some of our gems in the Main Street District. READ MORE HERE… Read More