COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) will permanently close its Blythewood branch after July 4, citing the sale of several buildings and parking lots on the Wilson Boulevard campus.

News19 has learned the property has been sold to American Leadership Academy, a charter school that will become the fifth of its kind in South Carolina. According to the academy's website, it will join two other ALA schools already operating in Lexington County and is expected to open in 2026.

Most services currently offered at the Blythewood branch will be relocated to the SCDMV’s O’Neil Court office near Two Notch Road. Mike Fitts with SCDMV said the department is preparing to expand that location to accommodate increased demand.

“The Charter School timeline has moved fa

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