As excitement builds around the opening of the International African American Museum (IAAM) in Charleston, community preservationists closer to home are launching an initiative to expand the marketing of Black history-related sites in Richland County.

During its first meeting of the year Tuesday, Richland County Council elected Councilman Overture Walker as chair and Councilwoman Jesica Mackey as vice chair for 2022.

County offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 3 and will reopen Tuesday, Jan. 4.

Mark Anthony Brewing will kickstart the new year by hiring more than 150 employees for its now operational $400 million, state-of-the-art brewing and production facility at Pineview Industrial Park in Columbia.

Because of changes to state law, business owners in Richland County will not have to renew their business licenses at the start of the new year.