Irmo Facts and Welcome Information
 The Town of Irmo and the Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce would like to welcome
you to our community. You are moving to one of the most progressive, exciting,
and fun places in America. The friendly attitude of our people, some of the best
schools in the country, beautiful Lake Murray, and the many great entertainment
opportunities that await you and your family will make you love this area the
way we do! Our shopping is second to none, ranging from the small town atmosphere
and personal service of our outstanding merchants to the sophisticated nationally
known stores with vast selections and friendly helpful personnel. Lake Murray
provides a recreational paradise for the Irmo Community. Irmo is truly "The Gateway
to Lake Murray."
Irmo was incorporated in 1890 and flourished along the tracks of Columbia, Newberry
and Laurens railroads on the high ridge between the river. The name of Irmo was
derived from the names of two railroad officials, C.J. Redell and H.C. Moseley.
Irmo is divided by Richland County on the northwest and Lexington County on the
southeast. Located off the shore of Lake Murray and only ten miles from Columbia,
the capital of South Carolina, Irmo was a sleepy little town of 500 people in
the early 1970's. Irmo is one of the most sought after places to live today.
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce provides reference and relocation information
for newcomers and old-timers alike. The information in the following pages will
help you settle in and enjoy the good life in Irmo. We invite you to join our
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce, whether as a business or individual. Our Welcome
Center is open to provide information and literature to make your move and life
easier. Free Irmo area maps are available. While you are here, visit our Irmo
Hall of History, which is housed in the Chamber Office.
Again, Welcome! We are glad to have you as part of our community!
Government
Congress
Irmo Residents are represented in Washington, D.C.:
U.S. Senator Lindsey O. Graham - 264-224-7401
U.S. Senator Jim DeMint - 803-765-5731
U.S. Congressman Joe Wilson - 803-938-0041
County Government
The Town of Irmo falls within both Lexington and Richland Counties. Both counties
provide protection and other services to unincorporated areas.
County and State Elected Officials
Lexington County - 803-359-8000
County Administrator Art Brooks
County Councilman Johnny Jeffcoat
County Councilman John Carrigg
State Representative Chip Huggins
State Senate Ronnie Cromer
Richland County - 803-576-2050
County Administrator Cary McSwain
County Councilwoman Doris Meetze Corley
State Representative Nathan Ballentine
State Senate John Courson
Municipal Government
Town of Irmo, South Carolina Population (9/04) 11,050
Town Council meets the first and third Tuesday of every month in the Municipal
Building at 7300 Woodrow Street - 7:00pm
Irmo's town government consists of a Mayor and four Council Members who serve
a term of four years.
The Town of Irmo Police Department, has 20 full time officers, 4 reserve
officers, 2 administrative office personnel and 10 in our Explorer Youth Program
(age 15-20).
Irmo Police Department
Brian Buck, Chief - 803-781-8088
Mail to: PO Box 406, Irmo, SC 29063
Location: 1239 Columbia Avenue, Irmo, SC 29063
Irmo Magistrate
Rebecca Adams - 803-781-7584
111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212
Irmo Municipal Judge
Joseph M. Epting - (803-781-7050 - Clerk of Court)
7300 Woodrow Street, Irmo, SC 29063
Irmo town representatives, * denotes elected officials:
*John Gibbons, Mayor
*Harvey Hoots, Mayor Pro-tem
*Kathy Condom, Councilwoman
*Barry A. Walker, Sr., Councilman
*Paul Younginer, Councilman
John Hanson, Administrator
Jake Moore, Town Attorney
Town Hall
7300 Woodrow Street, PO Box 406, Irmo, SC 29063
803-781-7050 fax: 803-749-2743
Business License/Zoning Official - Kim Stanley
Clerk of Court - Angela Bedenbaugh
Clerk/Treasurer - Sandra S. Tankersley
Code Enforcement Officer - Betty Anderson - 803-781-6859
Payroll/Financial Assistant - Judy Williams
Projects Coordinator - Bob Brown
Public Services Foreman - Whitt Cline
Courts
The County seats of both Lexington and Richland Counties are home to 5 main court
systems - Superior Court, Family Court, Magistrates Court, Probate Court and Master
in Equity. The County Magistrates administer County Traffic Court. Irmo operates
its own Municipal Court every Wednesday at 4:00pm.
Irmo Fire Departments
Irmo Fire Departments consists of a permanent staff of 31 and a volunteer staff
of 10. It houses 3 Class A pumpers, 1 -75 foot platform, 2 rescue vehicle and
3 support vehicles.
Open 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
Mike Sonefeld, Chief - 798-4979
Email: 17thcav@irmofire.org
Jeff Allen, Fire Marshall - 798-4979
Email: marshalone@irmofire.org
Irmo Fire Departments (2 locations)
Headquarters:
6017 St. Andrews Road, Columbia, SC 29212 - 803-798-4979
Secondary:
117 Lincreek Drive, Columbia, SC 29212 - 803-781-7178
Education
Colleges/Universities
Irmo is an easy commute to many institutions of higher education, including Midlands
Technical College's Harbison campus just off I-26 and Lake Murray Boulevard in
Irmo.
Secondary Schools
Irmo and the surrounding area is served by School District Five of Lexington
and Richland Counties. District Five has 10 elementary schools, 4 middle schools,
and 3 high schools. Students are also served by the Alternative Academy. Residents
may register their children at a school in their attendance area. New residents
should register their children as soon as possible. For information on which school
is in your attendance area, call 803-732-8001. A valid birth certificate, student's
social security number and a South Carolina Certificate of Immunization from the
County Health Department are required for registration. You may also be asked
to give proof of residency.
District Five Schools
Elementary Schools
Ballentine 803-732-8251
Chapin 803-345-2214
Dutch Fork 803-732-8075
Harbison West 803-732-8375
H.E. Corley 803-732-8075
Irmo 803-732-8275
Lake Murray 803-732-8151
Leaphart 803-798-0030
Nursery Road 803-732-8475
River Springs 803-732-8147
Seven Oaks 803-798-6500
Middle Schools
Chapin 803-345-1466
Cross Roads 803-732-8300
Dutch Fork 803-735-8167
Irmo 803-732-8200
High Schools
Chapin 803-345-2246
Dutch Fork 803-732-8050
Irmo 803-732-8100
Alternative Schools (Grades 6-12)
Alternative Academy 803-345-7136
Community Services
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce
1246 Lake Murray Boulevard - PO Box 1246, Irmo, SC 29063
803-749-9355 fax: 8036-732-7986
E-mail: welcome@irmochamber.com Web: www.irmochamber.com
Membership Monthly Luncheon meets the second Wednesday of every month (except
June and December) at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, 6952 St. Andrews Road at
11:45am.
Electric Services
SCE&G/SCANA 803-799-9000
Mid-Carolina Electric 803-749-6400
Garbage Service
Southland Sanitation, Inc. 803-256-7276
Sewer Service
City of Columbia Water and Sewer Department 803-545-3300
Carolina Water Service - 803-796-9545
Sheriff's Department
Lexington County (James Metts) - 803-951-2408
Richland County (Leon Lott) - 803-691-9000
Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Dennis McMahon - 803-732-8000
Tax Information
Lexington County
Real Property Assessor - 803-359-8190
Personal Property - Auditor - 803-359-8181
Treasurer - Tax Collector - 803-359-8217
Richland County
Real Property Assessor - 803-343-5300
Personal Property - Auditor - 803-738-4900
Treasurer - Tax Collector - 803-738-4900
Telephone Service
Bell South Business - 803-780-2800
Bell South Residential - 803-780-2355
ITC Deltacom, Inc. (Business and Residential) - 803-217-3650
TV Cable Service
Time Warner - 803-252-2253
Vehicle License Plate, Title and Drivers License
803-896-8623
Water Service
City of Columbia - 803-545-3300
Carolina Water Service - 803-796-9545
Other Information
Auto/Vehicle Licenses
Vehicle license plate, title and drivers license may be obtained at the South
Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles Branch Office, off I-26 West going toward
Spartanburg at Peak Exit (Exit 97). To prepare for the road skills test, you may
obtain the SC Driver's Manual from this same location or web site (www.scdmvonline.com).
For more information, call the SC Department of Motor Vehicles 803-896-8623.
Business Licenses
Businesses located within the Town of Irmo or otherwise doing business in the
Town, are required to obtain a license and pay an annual fee based on gross income.
Those businesses operating within the unincorporated areas of Richland County
are also required to obtain business licenses. There is no license requirement
in unincorporated Lexington County at this time. For more information, call Irmo
Town Hall 803-781-7050.
Library
Irmo Branch is located at 6251 St. Andrews Road 803-798-7880
Irmo is served by the Lexington County Public Library system
Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 8:30am to 8:00pm
Friday-Saturday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Sunday 2:00pm to 5:00pm
Richland Branch is located at 2916 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 - 803-772-6675
Library Hours
Monday-Thursday 9:00am-9:00pm
Friday-Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm
Sunday Closed
Media
The Irmo Area is served by one daily metro newspaper:
The State: 803-771-8380
The New Irmo News: 803-772-7506
Lexington Chronicle: 803-359-7633
Medical Center
The Irmo area is served by Lexington Medical Center Irmo, Urgent Care, 7035 St.
Andrews Road.
Hours 7:00am - 10:00pm - 7 days a week.
For more information, call 803-749-0924
Post Office
US Post Office Irmo, 7821 St. Andrews Road. For more information, call 803-781-4024
Quality of Life
Irmo enjoys abundant quality of life with good schools, restaurants, businesses,
recreation, etc. and boasts one of the highest per capita income levels and one
of the lowest unemployment levels in the state.
Voter Registration
Lexington
www.lex-co.com/departments/index.html
For more information, call 803-359-8361
Recreation
Lake Murray
Lake Murray at the time of construction was the largest earthern dam ever built,
completed in 1930.
Shoreline: 620 miles (GSI survey in 2004), Acreage: 50,000 (78 square miles),
Width:14 miles max, Length: 41 miles max, Full: 360 ft., Capacity: 754 billion
gallons, Dam Height: 215 ft., Intake Towers Height: 223 ft, Named for: Williams
S. Murray, engineer. Lake Murray provides boating, water skiing, swimming, and
some of the best fishing anywhere. Many marinas, campgrounds, and outdoor recreation
areas surround the lake. Two public access parks are provided by SCE&G, Inc.
at the Lake Murray Dam. (Lake Murray Boulevard, between Irmo and Lexington.) The
park on the Lexington side of the dam provides swimming, while the park on the
Irmo side provides boat ramps and
parking. For more information, call the Lake Murray Vistor's Center at 803-781-5940.
Freshwater Fishing
Resident State Fishing License $10.00
Resident Combination Fishing / Hunting License $25.00
Resident 14-day Fishing License $ 5.00
Resident Lake / Reservoirs Permit (cane pole only) $ 3.00
Resident Sportsman License $50.00
Resident Junior Sportsman (age 16/17) $16.00
Non-Resident Annual Fishing License $35.00
Non-Resident 7-day fishing License $11.00
Department of Natural Resources
1000 Assembly Street
Obtain License:
www.dnr.state.sc.us or 1-888-434-8482
(Also available at 900 locations: Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sporting Goods Stores, etc.)
Recreation Facilities
Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission operates SEVEN OAKS PARK, 200 Leisure Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 near intersection
of St. Andrews Road and Piney Grove Road. The park has numerous soccer, football,
baseball, and softball fields, and tennis courts. The complex has a bicycle and
jogging trail as well as playgrounds and picnic shelters with meeting and activity
rooms and a gymnasium. The Commission offers athletic league sports, instruction
and a wide variety of fitness programs. The facility also has a separate Senior
Center that operates the Irmo-Chapin Aging Program for Senior Citizens. For more
information call 803-772-3336.
Richland County Parks & Recreation Commission operates FRIARSGATE PARK, 1712 Chadford Road, Irmo, SC 29063. For more information
call 803-732-3220
YMCA
The YMCA Columbia Northwest is a new facility located at 1501 Kennerly Road,
Irmo. Call 803-407-8007 for program information.
Festivals and Events
Call Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce - 803-749-9355 or e-mail welcome@irmochamber.com
or check web site www.irmochamber.com
Concerts in the Park
(April - September) Contact the Town of Irmo 803-781-7050
Black Tie Gala
(February) - Fund raiser honoring the Ambassador of the Year
Merlyne Larsen Scholarship Foundation Benefit
(April) Co-Sponsored by Carrabba's Italian Grill
Golf Tournament
(May)
Summer Outing
(June) - Co-Sponsored by SCE&G/SCANA at Lake Murray
4th of July
(July) - Irmo Town Park Celebration and Concert
Miss South Carolina Pageant
(July)
Lake Murray Celebration
(July) - Parade of boats and fireworks on Lake Murray
Miss Greater Irmo Pageant
(August)
Okra Strut Festival
(September) - Always last Friday and Saturday in September. Family oriented arts
and crafts festival featuring live bands entertainment, food and drink, parade,
street dance, the "Dam Run" road race and lots of Okra. Contact the Town of Irmo
(803-781-7050) - Okra Strut Administrator: Sarah (Puddin) Long, Post Office box
212334, Columbia, SC 29221 - 803-781-6122 e-mail: sarahtwittylong@bellsouth.net
Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Auction
(November) - Part of the proceeds are designated for 4 scholarships - 2 to Irmo
High School and 2 to Dutch Fork High School
Chamber Annual Oyster Roast
(December) - Inglewood Manor
Civic Organizations
Coldstream Garden Club Betsy Gehm 803-407-0093
Irmo / St. Andrews Kiwanis Stewart Morgan 803-732-2877
St Andrews Lions Club Richard Calhoun 803-822-5588
Seven Oaks Lions Club Charels Swinehart 803-957-8238
Chapin Optimist Club Rod Shealy, Sr. 803-772-7506
Dutch Fork Optimist Club Carl Suddeth 803-254-5515
Irmo Optimist Club Tim Derrick 803-750-1870
St. Andrews Optimist Club Richard Calhoun 803-822-5588
Lake Murray/Irmo Rotary Club Christopher Joye 803-731-4455
Irmo Ruritan Club Furman Younginer 803-781-2547
Irmo St. Andrews Sertoma Club John Whittle 803-951-1778
Lake Murray Women's Club Charlotte Wymer 803-345-2205
St. Andrews Women's Club Kristin Fields 803-732-1309
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