Madurodam

    What this town needs is a cheap, compact tourist attraction. Something like the Corn Palace, except we don't have much corn. Something, say like Madurodam. Madurodam is an ultra-cool little attraction at The Hague, The Netherlands (the country with all the definite articles). It's a miniature version of the entire country, or rather, it's a miniature version of the most popular attractions in the country. Well, not the hookers and not the reefer, but of the attractions likely to get put on a picture postcard. Cathedrals and towers and such like.
    Admittedly, South Carolina isn't overflowing with scenic attractions (Rainbow Row, Table Rock mountain, an aircraft carrier) but hell, neither is The Netherlands. What we are overflowing with is artistic talent. All we would need is a little space and adjacent parking. It ought to be cheap, fun, and finally something that'll bring people to Columbia besides Tunnel Vision and the Zoo. I can sure see it!
    (Amusingly, Google reviews for Madurodam are fairly grim. All I can say is it was really cool 25 years ago. I can't actually see the reviews; Google just sends me to Google Maps. They say that 17/30 = Good to very good, so maybe it isn't as tough a crowd as I was thinking.)