BLYTHEWOOD – Blythewood Chamber of Commerce members heard updates from town, county, and state leaders during a recent panel discussion featuring SC House Rep. Kambrell Garvin, Blythewood Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Fripp, and Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh. Each official talked about some of the accomplishments made by their respective governments and outlined priorities moving forward as growth continues to dominate Blythewood and the surrounding area.
SC House Rep. Kambrell Garvin
Garvin spoke about legislative accomplishments from the most recent session of the General Assembly. Among those were the Hands-Free Driving Act, which prohibits texting while driving in an effort to improve road safety. He also highlighted insurance reform legislation aimed at reducing liability costs for restaurants and businesses that serve alcohol.
“The state continues to invest in education, including new laws supporting teachers through permanent certification, improved contract protections, and expanded leave options,” Garvin said. He also noted legislation that expands access to free breakfast and lunch for students living in poverty. In addition, Garvin pointed to significant state funding for school buses, facilities, instructional materials, and scholarships, as well as ongoing discussions around infrastructure and energy needs to support the state’s growing population.
Looking ahead, Garvin said lawmakers will continue focusing on infrastructure improvements, education funding, and guiding responsible growth. While the state has recently been successful in passing legislation that provides funding for charter schools and other non-traditional education, he said the focus this coming year will be monitoring legal challenges to that funding.
Mayor Pro Tem Andrea Fripp
Fripp discussed Blythewood’s recent strategic planning efforts and the town’s intent on maintaining its small-town character while at the same time preparing for future growth. She said beautification was identified as a top priority by council members at the strategic planning workshop. She said the emphasis is on making the town welcoming and visually appealing even as development increases across the landscape.
Fripp also addressed the town’s temporary pause on nighttime public events. She explained that council’s safety concerns for the community led to the decision. Council’s newly formed park security task force headed up by Councilwoman Trish Hovis and made up of town officials and town residents will review event policies and recommend ways to safely bring events back, Fripp said.
She also said the town is reviewing development proposals and rezoning requests to ensure growth aligns with residents’ concerns.
“The community’s concerns are our concerns,” Fripp said.
Council’s immediate plans, she said, include hiring a new town manager to guide the town under Blythewood’s new council-manager form of government and encouraging more residents to serve on town boards and commissions, including the Planning Commission, the Board of Architectural Review, and the Board of Zoning Appeals.
County Councilman Derrek Pugh
Pugh addressed the county’s response to infrastructure and public safety challenges tied to current and future growth. He provided updates on major road projects, including the Blythewood Road project, improvements near the roundabout by Food Lion, and the Hobart Road railroad crossing, which is expected to be completed by spring 2026.
Pugh said the county is exploring impact fees for new development to help fund roads, schools, and public safety services in the county. He also talked about the importance of supporting small businesses and strengthening partnerships between the county, town, and state to better plan for future needs.
Looking forward, Pugh said continued discussions with the town’s officials and long-term planning will be critical to preserving Blythewood’s small-town feel while ensuring the infrastructure and services are in place to support the tremendous growth the town is experiencing.
The panel concluded with all three officials encouraging open communication with residents and business owners as the community continues to see new businesses and homes come to the area.