City of Forest Acres

What City of Forest Acres does

The City of Forest Acres is a municipal government in Richland County, South Carolina, spanning approximately five square miles and serving a population of 10,530 residents. Incorporated in 1935, the city operates as a statutory local government providing public safety, sanitation, planning/zoning, business licensing, permitting, parks, and community programming through City Hall (5209 North Trenholm Road) and a separate Police Department/Municipal Court facility (5205 North Trenholm Road). Core service lines include the Forest Acres Police Department (24-hour patrol across 27 zones, K9 and traffic units, investigations, victim advocacy), Municipal Court (max fines of $500/30 days jail, diversion programs), Building & Permitting under the 2018 SC Building Code, Business Licensing using NAICS-classified fee schedules (Class 1.00–9.70), Planning & Zoning administration, Public Works/Sanitation, and a parks system comprising Citadel, Idalia, Pinetree, Quinine Hill, and the award-winning Gills Creek Memorial Park. Technology consists of standard municipal infrastructure — FOIA request systems, court case management, police dispatch, property/permitting systems, and an interactive crime map (third-party wthgis.com) — with no proprietary AI/ML components.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: a 2% hospitality tax on prepared food and beverages (restricted to tourism-related uses), property taxes on residential and commercial property, annual business license fees (NAICS-classified), and one-time permit fees (building, sign, garage sale, tree removal, land disturbance). Additional revenue sources include municipal court fines, pet registration ($4.21 spayed/neutered, $21.07 fertile, $105.31 commercial breeder), and various licensing fees. The city's customer base comprises residents (median household income $117,384, the highest in the Midlands region), local businesses operating within city limits, and visitors drawn from a 229,983-resident retail trade area with $2.24B in current demand projected to reach $2.43B by 2027. Distribution is delivered via in-person City Hall, online self-serve portals (FOIA, pet licensing, hospitality tax payment, employment), 24/7 police services, and community facilities including parks and event venues.

The city is governed by a Mayor (Thomas Andrews, sworn in July 2023) and four at-large council members with staggered four-year terms, supported by a City Administrator (Shaun M. Greenwood, MPA from USC, formerly Assistant City Manager at City of Cayce), Assistant City Administrator (Kendall Adams, retired Lt. Colonel), Finance Director (Brittany Adams), Police Chief (Donald W. Robinson), and a Communications/Community Development Director (Lynnsey Baker). The city is currently executing its largest redevelopment cycle in 35+ years, anchored by the Richland Mall transformation (32 acres, ~$100M estimated post-development value with Southeastern as developer) and supported by Cardinal Crossing ($60M mixed-use development built by The Beach Company, 256 apartment units 100% occupied, 43,500 sq ft commercial).

Name

City of Forest Acres

Legal name

City of Forest Acres, SC

Website

https://forestacres.net

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The City of Forest Acres is a municipal government in Richland County, South Carolina, serving 10,530 residents with public safety, sanitation, planning/zoning, business licensing, parks, and community programming. Revenue is generated via property taxes, a 2% hospitality tax, business license fees, and permits.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Municipal Government Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement (BPAIACAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Urban & Regional Planning (Land Use, Zoning, Master Planning) (BPAIANAD)

Keywords

• Municipal government services
• Police protection services
• Business licensing
• Building permits
• Hospitality tax administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Columbia (Forest Acres)

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Hospitality Tax: 2% tax on prepared food and beverages sold in restaurants, bars, and similar establishments within city limits. Revenue is kept separate from general fund and budgeted for tourism-related programs and improvements.
2. Business Licenses: Annual business license fees based on NAICS classification codes with varying rates from 1.00 to 9.70 depending on business type (retail trade at 1.00, food services at 1.00, construction at 8.10, etc.)
3. Property Taxes: Residential property taxes supporting general city operations and services
4. Permit Fees: Building permits, sign permits, garage sale permits ($5 each), tree removal permits, land disturbance permits, and home occupation licenses

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

City of Forest Acres operates as a municipal government providing direct public services to approximately 10,530 residents and local businesses within its five-square-mile jurisdiction in Richland County, South Carolina. Core offerings include 24-hour police protection, municipal court proceedings, building permitting and inspections, business licensing, planning and zoning administration, public works and sanitation, parks and recreation across five city parks, and community events including the annual Forest Acres Festival and Sweet Seasons.

Product overview

The City of Forest Acres operates as a municipal government offering a comprehensive suite of public services through its official website and city departments. The city spans approximately 5 square miles with a population of 10,530 residents. Core service offerings include the Forest Acres Police Department (FAPD) providing 24-hour protection, Municipal Court handling local ordinance violations, Building & Permitting Services, Business Licensing, Public Works & Sanitation, and Planning & Zoning Services. The city maintains multiple parks including Citadel Park, Idalia Park, Pinetree Park, Quinine Hill Park, and the award-winning Gills Creek Memorial Park. Community programs include the Contact Care Program for elderly residents, Neighborhood Watch with 27 designated zones, various public safety programs, and special events such as the annual Forest Acres Festival and Sweet Seasons holiday celebration. The city also operates a weekly Farmers Market and provides transparency tools including an interactive Crime Map. Hospitality Tax Services collect and distribute funds for tourism-related community projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forest Acres Police Department (FAPD) Municipal police department providing 24-hour protection, patrol, investigative services, communications, crime prevention, community outreach, education, and victim services to residents and businesses within Forest Acres city limits. Organized across 27 neighborhood zones with specialized K9 and traffic units.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2% increase in retail trade area demand projected over 5 years ($188 million growth)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Southeastern (Developer)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2024Developer for Richland Mall redevelopment project. Working with city on mixed-use development including 215,000 sq ft retail, brewery/tap room, large grocery store, apartments, and city park. Single largest investment in Forest Acres in 35+ years, estimated post-development value $100 million.
• Lexington HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Forest Acres Farmers Market and Sweet Seasons community event. Second consecutive year as primary sponsor of Sweet Seasons, reflecting commitment to community wellness and family enrichment.
• The Beach CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharleston-based developer that built the $60 million Cardinal Crossing mixed-use development, the city's largest to date with 43,500 sq ft commercial space and 256 residential units.
• Colliers InternationalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial realty firm marketing remaining retail space at Cardinal Crossing development. Represents the property as 'a bright future with a vision to continue Forest Acres' tradition of creating vibrant communities.'
• EdenscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommercial real estate company representing Trenholm Plaza. Marketing available retail space including HomeGoods and Sephora locations under construction.
• Richland County Animal CarecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides animal control services to Forest Acres and other municipalities (Irmo, Blythewood, Eastover, Arcadia Lakes). Manages pet licensing and registration for the city.
• HTAX Grant RecipientsminorOthersVarious nonprofits and community organizations receive HTAX grants including The Therapy Place, AC Flora Baseball Classic, Arts in the Acres, Serve and Connect (IllumiNight), and local school organizations.
• Main Street South CarolinacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState coordinating program of the National Main Street Center. Provides Forest Acres Main Street Program access to training, tools, and networking for the Covenant Crossing revitalization effort.
• Kenneth B Simmons Associates, LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLandscape architecture firm led by Kenneth Simmons, FASLA, serving as project manager for Gills Creek Memorial Park and vehicular bridge replacement project.
• Richland County CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered on Richland Mall redevelopment. Chair Jesica Mackey and Councilman Don Weaver helped solidify tax incentive package for the developer.
• Southeastern Health Care SystemminorOthersSponsorship relationship for Sweet Seasons event and community health initiatives.
• Cason Development GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroker representing Brentwood Development at Forest Drive, offering 14,800 sq ft commercial space and 11 luxury townhomes (Rigby Square).

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Town of Mount Pleasant, SC: Affluent, fast-growing coastal South Carolina municipality with similar suburban profile, premium retail, and strong hospitality tax base. Comparable mix of residential affluence, retail corridors, and parks/events programming.
• City of Irmo, SC: Small Midlands-area municipality sharing Richland County animal control services with Forest Acres. Comparable suburban profile, residential/commercial mix, and reliance on hospitality and hospitality-adjacent businesses.
• City of Greer, SC: Upstate SC suburb of similar scale with strong retail/dining district, mixed-use developments, and active parks and events programming. Comparable in being a high-income suburb anchored by national retailers with significant hospitality tax revenue.
• City of Simpsonville, SC: Upstate SC municipality with similar demographic profile (high household income, family-oriented) and retail-focused commercial base. Comparable in offering parks, events, and economic development initiatives.
• City of Mauldin, SC: Mid-size SC suburb with similar mix of residential community, commercial corridors, and parks. Operates a comparable business licensing, permitting, and hospitality tax framework.
• City of Arcadia Lakes, SC: Tiny, affluent Richland County municipality that shares animal care services with Forest Acres. Comparable small-staff operating model, residential focus, and proximity to Columbia.
• City of Cayce, SC: Adjacent small city in the Columbia metro with similar municipal services, planning/zoning, business licensing, and parks. Highly comparable given that Forest Acres' City Administrator Shaun Greenwood previously served as Cayce's Assistant City Manager and Director of Planning and Development.

Regional players

• City of Blythewood, SC: Richland County municipality sharing animal care services with Forest Acres. Comparable in scale and Midlands-region operating context, but with a different growth profile (more land available for expansion).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ForestAcresSC
• Instagraminstagram.com/cityofforestacres
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cityof-forestacres

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about City of Forest Acres