The Main Street District is the non-profit organization responsible for providing public space management, economic development, marketing services, and public advocacy for the 36-block area bounded by Gervais, Elmwood, Assembly, and Marion Streets in Columbia, SC. The organization seeks opportunities to fill vacancies in commercial properties by retaining existing downtown businesses and recruiting new ones, expanding the downtown residential base, and creating a safe, clean and friendly downtown environment.
The Board of Directors is comprised of individuals from the public and private sectors that have a vested interest in the district. Meeting every other month, the Board of Directors oversees the organization’s mission. Main Street District board meetings are open to the public and scheduled as follows for the 2025 year:
January 8, 9 AM – 2 PM (Board Retreat)
March 12, 4 PM
May 14, 4 PM
No meeting in July
September 10, 4 PM
Annual Meeting – November 3, 5 PM at TBD location
Matt Kennell, President and CEO
matt@msdcolumbia.comMatt 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 granddogs. 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!
Heather Spires, Vice President, Development & Administration
Heather@msdcolumbia.comHeather rejoined the Main Street District as VP of Development & Administration in 2022. Previously, she was VP of Retail Recruitment for our organization from 2011 to 2015.
Kelsey Bickley, Director of Marketing
Kelsey@msdcolumbia.comKelsey is a marketing and communications professional with experience promoting the Columbia region through her previous roles with Experience Columbia SC and volunteer service with COR, an organization focused on talent retention. Born and raised in the Columbia area, she received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Clemson University before coming back to serve her community. Outside of work, you can usually find Kelsey enjoying local bites and drinks on one of Main Street's many outdoor patios.
Jared Harper, Operations Manager
jared@msdcolumbia.comJared joined the Main Street District Yellow Shirt Ambassadors as the Operations Manager in June of 2024. Jared has over 25 years in the property management and building facilities industry and brings in a wealth of knowledge and industry experience. He also serves in the South Carolina National Guard with over 22 years of military service.
Barbara Tiller, Administrative Assistant
barbara@msdcolumbia.comBarbara joined the Main Street District in 2023 and comes from a diverse background of engineering, logistics, office management and volunteering. Outside of work you will find Barbara talking to students at the University of South Carolina with Ask a Mom or enjoying boat time on Lake Murray with her family.
R. Matthew Kennell
President & CEO
City Center Partnership, Inc.
Jason Caskey
Treasurer
University of South Carolina Foundations
Heather Mitchell
Chair
Boudreaux Group
Jonathan Harvey
Public Space & Placemaking Committee Chair
Colliers
Scott Garvin
Secretary
Garvin Design Group
Drew Painter
Vice Chair
First Community Bank
Jeremy Becraft
Long Range Planning Committee Chair
Mast General Store
Julie Tuttle
Marketing Committee Chair
Styx Companies
Anthony Jackson
Prisma Baptist
Beth Frost
Cohn Corporation
Chad Elsey
Cantina 76
Chris Lewis
Hub Columbia
Dr. Richard J. Wassermann
Plastic Surgery Consultants
Frank Cason
Cason Development Group
Georgia Coleman
Richland Library
Hon. Allison Terracio
Richland County Council
Hon. Daniel Rickenmann
City of Columbia
Hon. Paul Livingston
Richland County
Hon. Rev. Edward McDowell, Jr.
City of Columbia
Josh Willoughby
Market on Main
Kristian Niemi
Bourbon Columbia
Leonardo Brown
Richland County
Michael Amiridis
University of South Carolina
Pamela Bynoe-Reed
The COMET
Raj Champaneri
Lexington Hospitality
Ryan Coleman
City of Columbia
Sara Middleton Styles, Esq.
LTC Hospitality | SC House Calls
Shayla Merritt
Cyberwoven
Sheila Willis
Fisher Phillips
Teresa Wilson
City of Columbia
Wes Church
First Baptist Church
February 3, 2025
It’s time to make Valentine’s Day dinner plans, read all about Finley Park renovations, and fill your calendar with Black History Month events. Check out February happenings in our e-newsletter HERE. Read More
December 2, 2024
The details: This holiday season, some sneaky elves are on the loose in the Main Street District! Some of them are finding places to relax, while others are shopping, bowling, and even checking on the largest bourbon collection in SC. Help us find the elves by participating in the elf… Read More