Press Releases

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In response to overwhelming call volume to the Care Line, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has added a new phone information line to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines and to help support people searching for vaccine provider information. COVID-19 Vaccine Information Line: 1-866-365-8110 The new vaccine information line launches today with 240 phone operators and is available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. People…

Nonprofit Funding Opportunities   USDA Grants Community Food Projects Competitive Grants Program Amount: $35,000-400,000 Description: The Community Food Projects (CFP) competitive grants program awards grants to eligible nonprofits, tribal organizations, and food program service providers to promote self-sufficiency and increase food security in low-income communities by developing comprehensive, community-based solutions. Projects vary in scope, ranging from community gardens with market stands to marketing and consumer cooperatives, but all must involve low-income participants. Public food program service providers,…

Mayor Steve Benjamin and Columbia City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance that amends the emergency ordinance extending mask face coverings. Also this emergency ordinance extends the temporary suspension of the normal operating procedures of City Council and City Boards and Commissions meetings. Amendments to the ordinance include fines and stipulations for not wearing masks on a busy sidewalk waiting area, or popular outdoor area where it is impractical or impossible to maintain six feet…

The City of Columbia is happy to announce the launch of the Resilient Columbia CARES Act Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Program.  The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) awarded $14.3 million in CARES Act funding across South Carolina to capitalize and administer Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) that will provide gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The City of Columbia received $2.9 million of the funds awarded…

Through a partnership with the City of Columbia and Doctor’s Care, Mayor Steve Benjamin will receive a flu vaccination on Friday, October 2 at 9:30 am in the parking lot behind Columbia City Hall at 1737 Main Street. After receiving his vaccination from a representative of Doctor’s Care, Mayor Benjamin will express the importance of preventing the spread of the flu in our Midlands communities this season, and encourage Midlands citizens to get their own…

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), City of Columbia, and the University of South Carolina (UofSC) today announced its surge testing efforts to expand access to free COVID-19 testing in Columbia, S.C. “‘I’m glad to be in Columbia to represent HHS as these testing sites are stood up, increasing access to critical testing resources,” said Surgeon General Dr. Jerome…

Benedict College and CVS Health today announced the launch of rapid COVID-19 testing on the College’s Columbia campus.  CVS Pharmacists and pharmacy employees will staff the testing operation, which will be available at no cost to patients. “I applaud Benedict College and CVS Health for partnering to increase much-needed COVID-19 testing in our community,” said Congressman Clyburn. “We must do everything we can to ensure South Carolinians have the resources they need to arrest the…

Mayor Steve Benjamin and Columbia City Council unanimously approved an emergency ordinance that extends the temporary suspension of the normal operating procedures of City Council and City Boards and Commissions meetings. This allows for the Mayor, Council Members, Board Members and Commission Members to remotely participate in voting and operational procedures by telephone or other means of electronic communication and extends the requirement that face coverings or masks be work in public in the City…

City of Columbia Parks and Recreation would like to thank our community for their support of these past couple weeks, the meal distribution was a huge success with a total of almost 12,000 meals distributed. Meals were distributed Monday, August 10th through Friday August 28th 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department partnered with a local faith-based organization who is authorized through the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), providing well-balanced nutritious…

Benedict College and CVS Health today announced the launch of rapid COVID-19 testing on the College’s Columbia campus.  CVS Pharmacists and pharmacy employees will staff the testing operation, which will be available at no cost to patients. “I applaud Benedict College and CVS Health for partnering to increase much-needed COVID-19 testing in our community,” said Congressman Clyburn. “We must do everything we can to ensure South Carolinians have the resources they need to arrest the…