TEN AT THE TOP COMPLETES 2013 WITH RECORD NUMBER OF REGIONAL ACTIVITIES
Upstate, SC [January 6, 2014] –Ten at the Top (TATT), a non-profit organization created to foster collaboration and strategic planning in South Carolina’s Upstate region, conducted 97 regional forums, meetings, presentations and programs in 2013, marking the most the organization has held in a single year since being incorporated in 2009. A total of 3,300 participants were engaged in the organization’s activities.
Since 2010, TATT has conducted 322 regional engagements with more than 19,000 total participants.
During 2013, Ten at the Top hosted regional meetings and discussions amongst stakeholders on a wide range of topics including workforce & skill development, transportation & infrastructure, senior needs, education, natural resources and community vibrancy. TATT conducted four regional forums, coordinated three meetings of the Upstate Professional Planners and partnered with other regional organizations to host two Upstate Elected Officials Meetings.
Ten at the Top also conducted a series of four Community Vibrancy Workshops across the region. The workshops included presentations from leaders representing 10 state and national examples of communities that have increased local economic and community vibrancy. In addition, TATT teamed with Hughes Investments to develop the Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Community Vibrancy Grants, which in 2013 awarded $5,000 each to three Upstate communities to develop their own vibrancy initiatives.
Illustrating the organizations role as a regional convener, Ten at the Top helped the seven United Ways that serve the Upstate region come together for the first time to develop a region-wide program from start to completion to address an issue that impacts residents across the region. The result is the Upstate Born Learning Early Childhood Messaging Campaign in which the United Ways are working together to provide a consistent message across the region on the importance of early learning opportunities for children from birth to age five. The seven United Ways have signed a Memorandum of Agreement with each organization providing funding and staff support for the program.
Serving as the coordinator of the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee, Ten at the Top coordinated the Clean Air Upstate Education & Outreach Campaign. Thanks to grants from Duke Energy and the Hollingsworth Funds and in-kind support from WSPA-TV and GSA Business, the efforts included the development of television PSA’s that were viewed nearly 6.9 million times. In addition, the program’s support of the Breathe Better (B2) no-idling program has resulted in an increase of schools in the Upstate participating in the program from 14 to 33 with schools from Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties all participating in the program that result in ozone emission reductions as well as savings in diesel fuel and gasoline usage.
A full 2013 Ten at the Top program overview is available on the TATT web site.
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