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COLUMBIA --

Support for Mayor Bob Coble was clear Thursday, as he gave his annual State of the City Address.

Coble has been in office since 1990.

“I think we have made a lot of progress,” says Mayor Bob Coble.  “I am proud to be apart of the Columbia’s renaissance."

In the roughly 40 minute speech, Coble talked about the importance of Innovista, a $140 million project created by the City of Columbia and USC.

The goal of the research, residential and retail district is to bring in capital and generate jobs. 

The first phase of the Innovista is complete with two buildings and two parking garages.  Critics say the project still hasn’t delivered what it promised.

“There’s a lot of work left to be done,” says Coble.  “I am particularly interested in seeing Innovista go forward.  I think that it’s a great opportunity to transform our economy and create jobs.”

Coble blames the slow progress on the economy. 

The mayor highlighted other accomplishments, including fixing the city’s much criticized financial system.

Currently the budget has a $5.3 million surplus and revenues are up compared to last year.

The city has also been awarded nearly $38 million in stimulus funds and grants, but Coble points out that until the economy is healthy again, money will always be an issue in local government.

Coble says he’s enjoyed every minute of serving as Columbia’s mayor.  He will hand over the reigns to the new elected official on July 1^st.