The Main Street District encompasses 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 oversees 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.
Board Meetings for 2022 [DOCX]
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 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!
Lorri-Ann Carter, Marketing & Communications
la@cartertodd.comLorri-Ann is a native of Georgia and has worked in the public relations and marketing industry for over 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@msdcolumbia.comJenna 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.
Allen Franklin, Director of Operations
allen@msdcolumbia.comAllen 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
Secretary
University of South Carolina Foundations
Rita Patel
Marketing Committee Chair
Hotel Trundle
John C. Griggs, III
Immediate Past Chair
Synovus Bank
Sam Johnson
Long Range Planning Committee Chair
Greengate Strategy
Sharon Bryant
Chair
First Citizens Bank
Heather Mitchell
Vice Chair
Boudreaux Group
Henri Baskins
Columbia Chamber
Jonathan Harvey
Public Space Committee Chair
Colliers
Drew Painter
Treasurer
First Community Bank
Amy Reeves
Hertz Properties
Chad Elsey
Cantina 76
Della Watkins
Columbia Museum of Art
Dr. Richard J. Wassermann
Plastic Surgery Consultants
H. Freeman Belser
Belser & Belser PA
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
Joni Ashford
Hub Columbia
Josh Willoughby
Market on Main
Kristian Niemi
Bourbon Columbia
Leonardo Brown
Richland County
Michael Amiridis
University of South Carolina
Mike Bundy
Prisma Baptist
Raj Champaneri
Lexington Hospitality
Robert Lewis
Rogers Lewis Attorneys at Law
Ryan Coleman
City of Columbia
Sara Middleton
LTC Health Solutions
Scott Garvin
Garvin Design Group
Sheila Willis
Fisher Phillips
Shelly Little
Arnold Companies
Teresa Wilson
City of Columbia
Travis McNeal
Oliver Gospel
November 8, 2022
On Monday, November 7, Columbia’s Main Street District celebrated 21 years of growth and development in downtown Columbia, SC. See Photos… Read More
November 1, 2022
Lots of events going on this month! READ MORE… Read More