The Well is excited to be scheduling many events for the Upstate community. During the shutdown, they re-engineered the facility for safety and developed processes and policies for reopening.
With CARES funding from Greenville County, they created contactless ticketing, purchased PPE, increased the air quality, reimagined the live event experience, and redeveloped their business plan.
They served the community through graduations and hosted the first professional sports team (The Swamp Rabbits hockey team) to restart.
The future holds a diverse line-up of music, comedy, sports, family events, wrestling with a focus on the Latin and Black events. They forecast 120 events this year with a $60M impact on the region, not including Bassmasters and the NCAA tournament.
Regional partners are intrinsic to their success with many conversations and mutual decisions made in conjunction with The Greenville Drive, the Triumph, and the Peace Center.
There are many challenges in workforce development and the close nature of touring, gas prices, and supply chain issues.
Q: What is the current capacity?
A: From 25% in November, they have gradually increased to 100% today with the first potential full house in December with Eric Church.
Q: What are some air quality adjustments that were made?
A: Ionization through air handlers, pushing more fresh air, and developing zones for different areas.
Q: Are acts considering coming here or not, due to the pandemic?
A: Possibly, they are excited about new acts like Banda MS from Mexico on August 6. They have run out of dates already due to spreading out genres, for example, they plan 25 days between country acts.
The best way to beat this South Carolina heat is by finding a good lake or swimming hole to cool off in. Upstate South Carolina has a many outdoor options available for free or low cost and they are the perfect way to get outside this summer while getting a break from the heat. Check out the list below to find an attraction in your county.
Abbeville County: Calhoun Falls State Park
46 Maintenance Shop RD, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628
6 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Admission
Adults – $3
Seniors – $1.50
Children age 6-15 – $1
Below 5 – free
Activities
Nature walks, swimming, camping, and fishing
Anderson County: Lake Hartwell
19138-A HWY 11 S Fair Play, SC 29643
Sunrise to sunset
Admission
Adults – $3
Seniors – $1.50
Children age 6-15 – $1
Below 5 – free
Activities
Swimming, fishing, kayaking and motor boating
Cherokee County: Lake Whelchel
198 Concord Rd, Gaffney, SC 29341
Admission
$25 for boating permit, fishing permit required to fish
Activities
Kayaking, hiking or mountain biking on the Lake Whelchel Trail, but no swimming allowed in the lake
Greenville County: Jones Gap State Park
303 Jones Gap RD, Marietta, SC 29661
9 a.m. – 9 p.m. (hikers must be off trails by 7:30 p.m.)
Admission
Adults – $6
SC seniors – $3.75
Children ages 6-15 – $3.50
Below 5 – free
Activities
Rainbow Falls, visit swimming holes as you go along the Middle Saluda River
Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance of your visit. Go to the SC State Parks website to make your reservation.
Greenwood County: Lake Greenwood State Park
302 State Park Rd, Ninety Six, SC 29666
5 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Admission
Adults – $3
SC seniors – $1.50
Children age 6-15 – $1
Below 5 – free
Activities
Fishing, swimming in the lake, and kayaking.
Laurens County: Lake Rabon
Lake Rabon Dr. Lauren, SC 29360
Sunrise to sunset
Admission
Free, but boat permits and fishing licenses must be purchased for those activities.
Activities
Fishing, kayaking
Oconee County: Lower White Water Falls
Foothills Trail Lower Falls, Salem, SC 29676
Sunrise to sunset
Admission
Vehicles with seven passengers or less – $3
Vehicles with seven passengers or more – $1/person
Activities
Hiking, swimming (in river on hike to the falls, swimming is not allowed at the falls)
Falls Creek Falls
Falls Creek Waterfall Trail, 1526 Fall Creek Rd, Marietta, SC 29661
Sunrise to sunset
Admission
Free, but parking is limited
Activities
Hiking, wading/swimming below waterfall
Blue Holes Falls
Rich Mountain RD, Mountain Rest, SC 29664
Sunrise to sunset
Admission
Free
Activities
Hiking, swimming
Pickens County: Table Rock State Park – Carrick Creek Falls
158 Ellison Ln, Pickens, SC 29671
Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Extended to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday
As the summer heats up, all you want to do is cool off – but you still want to spend time outside so that you don’t feel guilty about wasting the summer away. Here are a few of the best water attractions the Upstate has to offer. This list is here to help you find a way to stay outside, but still stay cool. Check out one of these family-friendly options for you in our very own Upstate!
WATERPARKS
Otter Creek Waterpark
101 W. Darby Road, Greenville, SC 29609
10:30 am – 5:30 pm on Monday-Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm on Sunday
Restrictions
Children under 42” must wear a life jacket
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Costs
42” and taller – $11.50
41” and under (and Seniors) – $8.50
2 years old and younger – FREE
Online Tickets – $11.50
Discovery Island Waterpark
417 Baldwin Rd, Simpsonville, SC 29680
10:30 am – 5:30 pm on Monday-Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:30 pm on Sunday
Restrictions
Children under 42” must wear a life jacket
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Costs
48” and taller – $12.50
47” and under (and Seniors) – $8.50
2 years old and younger – FREE
Online Tickets – $12.50
7th Inning Splash Waterpark
1500 Piedmont Hwy, Piedmont, SC 29673
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Monday-Saturday, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm on Sunday
Restrictions
Children under 42” must wear a life jacket
Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Costs
48” and taller – $7.25
47” and under (and Seniors) – $6.25
2 years old and younger – FREE
Online Tickets – $7.25
Shipwreck Cove Waterpark
119 South Spencer Street, Duncan, SC, 29334
10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Monday-Saturday, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm on Sunday
Although these parks may be smaller than your large-scale waterparks, these are all great and affordable options that provide convenient adventures and fun times right in your own backyard. If this past year has taught us anything it is that small doesn’t necessarily mean less fun! A day trip with family and friends to one of these waterparks or splash pads will provide everything your family needs for an exciting summer outing. Go enjoy, have fun, and cool off with these Upstate attractions!
Formerly known as Neighborhood Housing Corporation, Beyond Housing was created in 1989 and is one of the oldest affordable housing non-profit organizations in Greenville County. While we have been around for over 30 years and have created almost 200 homeownership opportunities, we felt we were missing something. We felt we needed to do more. COVID-19 made that even more clear. In the last year, we revamped our mission, vision, and strategic direction. After a lot of work behind the scenes, we are thrilled to reveal our new name as Beyond Housing and our added emphasis on community development.
Over the years, we have come to realize that building and renovating homes is simply not enough. Housing, while an important aspect of well-being, is just one aspect of a thriving community. Access to grocery stores, transportation, quality education, and recreational spaces are some of the many other components that are necessary for a high quality of life.
Here is our Strategic Plan and the objectives for each pillar:
Achieve Organizational Sustainability.
Define and achieve operational self-sufficiency.
Develop and implement a multi-faceted funding strategy.
Align staff positions with organizational needs.
Strengthen our governance structure.
Maximize Our Community Impact.
Adopt guidelines to ensure consistent decision-making for property acquisition and client selection.
Define our focus area(s).
Identify and align our programs with unmet community needs.
Develop program metrics and assess our impact.
Strengthen Brand and Increase Recognition.
Promote our brand in order to engage and inspire clients, staff, volunteers, funders, and the community.
Become a recognized agency within Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson Counties.
Cultivate Relationships with Stakeholders.
Collaborate with new and existing partners to improve outcomes for our clients and their families.
Establish relationships with our clients and the communities in which. Beyond Housing wants to create strong, diverse communities that can attract and keep talent, start and grow businesses, and overcome issues that arise. We believe the citizens will be happier, healthier, richer, and live longer lives. Businesses will have a larger base of customers who can purchase their products and services, and the city will earn tax income to continue to support important programs and reduce debt.
Going forward, we will continue to create affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, but we will not stop there. We are committed to going beyond; to working side-by-side with residents to set and achieve goals that they have for their communities. Successful community development takes collaboration among stakeholders who are dedicated to working together to define and solve problems within the community and pursuing opportunities.
Our vision is equitable and vibrant communities where all residents are equipped to prosper and achieve their full potential. Join us in this endeavor to create a better Greenville for all!
Our mission is to provide quality affordable homes that instill pride, promote health, and create economic stability. We serve residents below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and have a special emphasis on older adults (55+), veterans, and residents below 60% AMI for our rental properties. Currently, our service footprint includes Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Laurens, and Pickens Counties.
To get involved with Beyond Housing, keep an eye on newspaper and news announcements for information on special events such as an outdoor movie viewing. Volunteer your time on our board of directors or a committee that may interest you. And finally, donate resources to help us fund projects and future opportunities!
For more information, please contact Beyond Housing Executive Director, James Alston at 864.631.2041 or james@beyondhousingsc.org. To find out more about Beyond Housing and donate, visit beyondhousingsc.org.
Several agencies collaborated to plan and execute The Minority Financial Summit.
The following individuals were instrumental in delivering a webinar that was well-received by attendees:
Brenton Brown, presenter, SC Commission for Minority Affairs
Tammie Greene and Sonja Barkley, presenters, SC Department of Commerce
Natasha Pitts, City of Spartanburg
Jalitha Moore, One Spartanburg
Katrina Meeks, SC SBDC
It is common for small businesses and start-ups to need funding to operate or expand their business. Unfortunately, many of these owners and entrepreneurs do not know where to find financial assistance, nor how to apply for it. A key function of the SC Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is connecting clients with funding options unique to their business needs and helping them apply for these programs. With small businesses floundered in the wake of COVID-19, Spartanburg Area Manager Katrina Meeks decided to take this initiative one step further with the Minority Financial Summit webinar training.The Minority Financial Summit was designed to advance and foster lender relationships and connections, specifically for minority-owned small businesses. The webinar educated attendees on funding options available within the community and discussed the criteria lenders look for when deciding to fund various projects. It also addressed the disparities that minorities often experience when working to secure small business funding.
Meeks developed the curriculum not only for those seeking a business loan or grant, but also for anyone interested in understanding how the SBA supports small businesses or how each of the “4 C’s” (customer, cost, convenience, and communication) factors into the longevity of a business. The event was promoted through the SBDC’s extensive network, as well as through each participating member’s social media account and through each participating agency’s resource partner database.
Over 300 people from throughout the state of South Carolina submitted interest in the webinar, and 127 people attended. The summit featured a lineup of panelists including Community Development Loan Officer Joseph Dukes, Dixon Woodward of United Community Bank, Lee Belcher of Synovus Bank, and Frank Anderson of the U.S. Small Business Administration. The speakers talked about how businesses can strengthen their financial impact, and also provided financial information for entrepreneurs looking to start a new business. The collaboration between speakers from different agencies offered a dynamic variety of perspectives and was applauded by attendees—many of which encouraged the SBDC to host the event again in 2022.
“Your program was excellent,” said Erin Ouzts of Ten at the Top. “The guest speakers were knowledgeable and covered topics relevant to the audience. Thank you for making this happen.”
Guest Speaker: Beth Paul, General Manager, Bon Secours Wellness Arena
There are many challenges in workforce development and the close nature of touring, gas prices, and supply chain issues.
The best way to beat this South Carolina heat is by finding a good lake or swimming hole to cool off in. Upstate South Carolina has a many outdoor options available for free or low cost and they are the perfect way to get outside this summer while getting a break from the heat. Check out the list below to find an attraction in your county.
Formerly known as Neighborhood Housing Corporation, 
Going forward, we will continue to create affordable homeownership and rental opportunities, but we will not stop there. We are committed to going beyond; to working side-by-side with residents to set and achieve goals that they have for their communities. Successful community development takes collaboration among stakeholders who are dedicated to working together to define and solve problems within the community and pursuing opportunities.
A Dynamic Collaboration
