APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR THE SPRING 2023 COMET ACADEMY

(February 22, 2023) Columbia, SC – The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) announced today that applications are now being accepted for The COMET Academy, a leadership development program for those interested in understanding how public transit works. The COMET hosts the program at no charge to attendees. Because of the tremendous positive response from the public, the program is back for Spring 2023.

Most of The COMET Academy sessions will be held virtually for a duration of 60-minutes. Classes will meet once a week on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. beginning March 6 through April 3, with graduation on April 17. The first meeting will be an in-person introduction at COMET headquarters at 3613 Lucius Road.

The five-week intensive will provide an in-depth, behind the scenes look at The COMET transit system. The purpose of The COMET Academy is to develop and equip allies of public transit by arming them with information to be strong advocates on transit’s behalf and to possibly take active leadership roles as potential members of The COMET Board of Directors or to serve in other public service capacities.

 “It is our plan to empower community and business leaders with knowledge of the inner workings, history and future goals of public transit in the Midlands,” said LeRoy DesChamps, COO of The COMET. “Our past sessions received an overwhelming response. We are grateful and excited to again be able to present this program to the community.”

The curriculum includes such topics as history, financing, program partnerships and organizational structure. Space is limited. The deadline to apply is March 2. Applications for The COMET Academy Spring 2023 session can be found on the website here: https://catchthecometsc.gov/comet-academy/.