The River Alliance: Background

Background & Structure

The River Alliance is an important step in regional problem solving, evolving from decades of discussion about the rivers and their strategic capacity to benefit the community. It has the dual aims of collective planning and bringing into reality those enhancements that meet the community vision. Conceived as a public-private-regional partnership, the River Alliance is a tool to use in crafting benefits from the river. As an organization, it will continue to evolve as we move forward.

The River Alliance is a non-profit public sector/private sector partnership, incorporated in 1995 as a South Carolina Non-Profit Public Benefit Corporation. It is now a 501 c(3) organization and cheerfully accepts contributions. The Alliance first took shape in 1994 after signature by the following founding parties on The River Alliance Agreement:

County of Lexington

County of Richland

City of Cayce

City of Columbia

City of West Columbia

Central Midlands Council of Governments

Columbia Development Corporation

Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens

South Carolina Electric & Gas Corporation**

South Carolina State Budget and Control Board

University of South Carolina

Lexington County Economic Development Committee

Midlands Authority for Convention, Sports, and Tourism

**ex officio member

The River Alliance Board of Directors is currently a mix of elected officials, community leaders and concerned citizens. Each of the founding parties of The River Alliance brings unique assets and strengths to this endeavor, and proposed directors. The Board membership currently totals 27.

Goals & Objectives of the River Alliance:

The organizational objective of The River Alliance is to create the greatest benefit for citizens of the Midlands region. The River Alliance considers the Broad, Saluda, and Congaree Rivers to be unique assets that can provide many opportunities to the public.

The main goals of The River Alliance include:

Improving recreational opportunities both on and off the rivers.
Preserving the natural riverine environment and the health of the watershed;
Strengthening residential communities in the downtown river areas;
Providing the public with a clearer understanding of the area’s rich river-related history.

We accomplish these goals by a citizen and community needs based community development process. Public forums, also known as “Dream Catching Sessions,” are held to allow citizens an opportunity to provide input regarding the changes and improvements they want to take place in their community. We have found the public to be enthusiastic and widely receptive to our sessions. Ideas are also drawn from reviews of various plans for the riverfront over the past 90 years.

The River Alliance was formed to transcend traditional political and organizational boundaries and constraints in order to accomplish these stated goals. We believe that the most effective way to reach our objectives is through consensus planning, allowing citizens to identify their own needs, and focusing coordinated efforts and resources on our priorities. Dreams become projects, projects become reality.