Job Purpose: The mission of Ten at the Top is to foster collaboration and increase collective capacity across the 10-county Upstate SC region around issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life. TATT is looking for a self-starter with communications skills and experience to lead marketing, communications, and social media efforts for the organization.
Basic Requirements:
• Minimum of two years of full-time work experience in a professional setting
• Experience with online newsletter tools and web site maintenance
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher)
• Experience in graphic design (programs such as InDesign, Illustrator, Canva) and familiarity with website development tools (especially WordPress)
• Writing and editing proficiency and the ability to create original content
• Experience using social media in a business promotion context
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce quality work in a timely manner
• Ability to manage multiple projects or initiatives at one time
• Ability to work independently and accomplish tasks with minimal daily supervision
• Strong organizational, customer service, and networking skills
• Bachelor’s Degree
Key Responsibilities:
1. Maintain and regularly update TATT’s web site platforms
2. Create graphics and images for social media, web site and print publications
3. Coordinate organizational content & outreach on all social media platforms
4. Manage the content and development of TATT weekly & monthly electronic publications
5. Develop in-house publications and marketing material
6. Build relationships with media, TATT partners and board members
7. Write business & community features, program summaries, press releases, and support material as needed
8. Serve as the primary media contact for the organization
9. Develop & implement an organizational marketing & communications strategy
10. Represent organization in a professional manner at meetings and community events
11. Availability to attend occasional early morning or evening events, as well as some travel across the Upstate
12. Participate as needed in outreach efforts, including networking events, special projects, and one-time events
Position Information:
• Full-time 40-hour per week salaried position
• Salary Range: $46,000-$62,000 (depending on experience and background)
• Benefits include health insurance stipend, cell phone stipend, paid vacation, and paid holidays
• Desired start date is January 3, 2023. Applications will be accepted until position is filled
Interested candidates should send cover letter, resume, and writing/website/newsletter/graphic design samples to:
Union County is making significant progress by working through its newly adopted Comprehensive Plan addressing a variety of priority topics such as economic and community development, transportation, housing, community facilities, and public engagement. The plan defines a shared vision for Union County’s future that will improve the quality of life by balancing social, economic, and environmental needs of the community. A key element to the success of the planning process was public engagement and involvement as citizens, local officials, and stakeholders developed a plan that residents would support and embrace.
Economic and Community Development
Union County continues to grow a healthy economic climate by recruiting targeted industries, providing support for existing industry, and encouraging diverse business growth. As a result of these efforts, MycoWorks, a biotechnology company specializing in luxury–leather alternatives, announced plans to establish operations in Midway Green Industrial Park by upfitting the Midway Green Industrial Spec Building through a $107 million investment creating 400 new jobs. Through a $10.8 investment, Tiger Companies purchased the former Midway Milliken Plant to establish distribution and light manufacturing operations serving the construction, surveying, office, and medical markets; the company expects to create over 61 new jobs. Other companies announcing new investment and job creation include Covalent Chemical, Standard Textile, CSL Plasma, Milliken, and Dollar General.
Union County is on the move attracting new retail establishments to the community. Small towns continue to face hardships in this area but Union County has overcome the odds by having a large number of nearby companies, services, and industries providing the infrastructure to assist in attracting retail and commercial businesses to the area. In addition, the County’s close proximity to more urban areas and designation as a micropolitan city, has provided a competitive edge in business recruitment. Starbucks will open its doors within a few weeks providing the company’s flagship brand to citizens. Tractor Supply, the leading rural lifestyle retailer targeting farmers, ranchers, home improvements, and garden maintenance, expects to open in December 2022. Both companies will become valued partners through their mission to support and strengthen the communities they serve. Also, the County is working through several strategies to support its small business network and grow the presence of an entrepreneurial ecosystem along the Main Street area.
Transportation
Public transportation will soon be available to residents in Union County through a partnership with The Chester Connector. The three-year pilot program is funded through a SCDOT grant and local matching funds from Union County. “Demand Response” service will run Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., providing access to medical appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, and essential shopping needs. Passenger fare is $1.00 per trip or $2.00 round trip. Initially, passenger trips will remain in Union County during the three-year pilot program. Service is expected to begin in December 2022.
Housing
Results from Union County’s 2021 Housing Market Study indicated a definite need for single family housing evidenced by job growth in the industrial sector and the lack of available housing to support demand. Planning for a new subdivision is currently underway along the SC Hwy 215 corridor close to existing retail, restaurants, and commercial businesses. The preliminary layout provides the potential for 50 new single-family homes in Phase 1 of the project along with other residential amenities. In addition, the site could accommodate future buildout of additional homes, retail, restaurants, and office space. Construction is expected to begin within the next 6-12 months.
Broadband
In partnership with Charter Communications, the County’s Broadband Focus Group is working through several initiatives to expand broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas of Union County. Currently, Charter is completing Phase 1 of RDOF (Rural Digital Opportunity Fund) buildout in the County targeting well over 2,500 locations considered unserved or in difficult development areas. In addition, the taskforce, local leaders, and stakeholders worked alongside Charter representatives in August 2022 to gather information and data for the American Rescue Plan Act -State Fiscal Recovery Fund Grant. Deployment will target mapped priority areas generally located in the more rural areas of Union County.
Community Facilities and Public Engagement
Improvements to community facilities are currently underway delivering building renovations, utility infrastructure improvements, industrial site development, and a host of other projects targeting the County’s parks and recreation facilities. The majority of funding will come from grants and public- private partnerships.
Encouraging participation and active living through community wide events is a top priority in order to plan for events that enhance the quality of life. Union County offers a variety of community sponsored events each year bringing people to together in public spaces which highlight the County’s assets and celebrates its special character. Ongoing events include the local Farmer’s Market, festivals, concerts, athletic and specialty events, and outdoor gatherings. For over 100 years, people have come together for one week out of the year to experience fun, food, and entertainment at the Union County Agricultural Fair. This year’s event runs October 18 -22 at the Union County Fairgrounds, 120 Kirby Street, Union SC.
Union County’s Comprehensive Plan is a roadmap for the next 10 years. Public support and engagement will be crucial to the Plan’s success. Join us as we make Union County an even greater place to live, work, play, and call home.
It’s a statement many women veterans in need have come to dread hearing. Unfortunately, this all-to-common phrase usually follows being told that in some way her needs just cannot be met. Sometimes it is not having enough “qualified service”. Other times it is not having the expected disability requirement. And more often it is simply not having space to support her. The lack of supportive resources for women veterans can be drilled down to two main barriers: access and availability.
BattleBetty Foundation is working to remove those barriers. With a mission focused on women veterans BattleBetty makes sure that no woman is every turned away for support because of the component she served in, her character of discharge, or if she has a VA rated disability. BattleBetty’s founder DeAndria L. Hardy said, “The hardest part about being in need wasn’t the need. It was being told over and over again that my service didn’t matter enough for someone to help me. When I was able to help someone else, I wanted to do my best to make sure no other sister-veteran felt that way”
Since August 2018 BattleBetty Foundation has been working to increase the availability of resources for women veterans. The organization started by participating in local homeless standdowns hosted in the spring and fall by providing hygiene kits. After the standdown, BattleBetty began incorporating “street outreach” and providing supplies to women veterans in need who were not capable of attending standdowns or crowds.
And just over two years later BattleBetty continued to grow by adding South Carolina’s first Women Veteran Resource Center in early 2021. The Center provides a 90-day Shelter program along with additional resources of a Clothes Closet and Essentials Gear Locker. But it was during their continued “street outreach” efforts that BattleBetty met Kory, a 50-year-old Army veteran, living in a wooded encampment in Greenville. She was a chronically homeless veteran who struggled with social interactions, substance abuse, and maintaining her finances to remain sheltered.
Kory had a confluence of barriers that limited her access and availability to needed resources. Her struggles were made all the more dire by being unsheltered during the winter. “It doesn’t matter where she is or how long she’s been out [of the military]. No woman should ever feel like she doesn’t deserve help.”, Hardy said. For Kory that meant providing her with proper cold weather rated sleeping bag, waterproof boots, clothes, other clothing items and weekly food drops. Although the barriers presented were unique the mission for BattleBetty was the same, to remove the immediate barriers that prevented safety and stability for that veteran.
And though it took some time, through a major collaborative effort, as of August 2022 Kory was finally permanently housed!
Did You Know?
Since initiating its Shelter program BattleBetty has provided over 330 nights of warm, safe shelter
According to the VA, the 10 Counties of the Upstate are home to 8600+ women veterans
In a year, 13-15% of women veterans experience some form of homelessness
Across the whole Upstate there are less than 10 women only/women and children dedicated homeless shelters (that are not add-ons or housed with a men’s program)
$750 helps cover the cost of a 30-day shelter stay, meals, transportation, clothing, and case management costs that assist women veterans on the road to permanent housing placement
Like Kory, there are many women veterans that are not quite ready to be housed. Some veterans need more support than what a 90-day program or basic outreach can offer. They need an additional bridge to help get them from homelessness to permanency. Hardy’s goal is to grow into a Shelter to Transitional Housing step-up program. Hardy says, “Providing long term support gives veterans their best chance at achieving lasting stability.” This aim is to have a built-in continuity pathway for women who need additional supportive services.
The first steps to bring this program, Heroine’s Home, to fruition have already been taken. We are very excited to continue bring supportive service to women veterans of the Upstate.
Get Involved
BattleBetty Foundation will host Beyond the Battle 5K from November 6th-Novemeber 12th, 2022. This marks the 3rd year of the virtual 5K fundraiser with proceeds going to benefit homeless women veterans. You can ruck, run, or walk from wherever you are!
Heroine’s Home is an ongoing project to bring a first-of-its-kind transitional housing program for women veterans to the Upstate. Through a collaborative partnership with the City of Spartanburg we were granted permission of use of a vacant lot to build the home. From site prep to materials to finishing landscaping, we are looking for motivated patriotic philanthropic partners to make this resource a reality.
Be a Hero’s Hero by Supporting Our Mission
Become a partner or help support local women veterans and provide resources for she-roes still in need.
Upstate South Carolina was a very different place in the middle of the 20th century. The idea of regional collaboration was not a common one among politicians, businesses, or economic development organizations.
Across the nation, the jet age had arrived bringing larger and faster aircraft and the need for bigger airports to support them. As demand for passenger and cargo services increased, Upstate business leaders knew that bold action was needed to avoid being left behind.
In 1957, Charlie Daniel, founder of Daniel Construction, one of the largest construction firms in the country at the time, approached his friend and frequent collaborator Roger Milliken with an ambitious proposal: to build one large airport to serve the entire Upstate region. A textile magnate and CEO of what would become the largest privately held firm in South Carolina, Milliken assembled a team of top engineers and designers from around the country and led the effort to secure funding and government approval.
On July 7, 1961, local leaders joined the Airport Commission along with the design and construction team for a groundbreaking ceremony of the new airport. The airport would open just 15 months later, ushering in the jet age to the Upstate. The Greenville-Spartanburg Jetport opened on October 15, 1962.
When GSP opened, it was the first airport designed specifically to handle jet aircraft with forward-thinking technology that has become commonplace today, including in-pavement lighting on the runway, high speed taxiways and more. GSP was the first airport to offer an airside garden and one of the first airports in the nation to have a landscape master plan to ensure that future development projects adhere to the aesthetic intent of our founders.
Today, GSP continues to be the economic engine that Charlie Daniel and Roger Milliken envisioned. GSP boasts over 100 daily passenger flights, the only scheduled nonstop international cargo service in the Carolinas and a modern, user-friendly terminal building that has been recognized for its excellent restaurants, shops, customer satisfaction and for its extensive collection of art. GSP currently supports nearly 15,000 local jobs, adds $649 million in income to the regional economy and contributes a total of $2.9 billion in annual economic output.
In the years to come, GSP will continue to introduce innovative programs that meet the needs of our growing region. As demand warrants, GSP has plans for an expansion of the passenger terminal, a new parking garage, additional cargo facilities, a new air traffic control tower, an airport hotel, and more nonstop destinations. We are also studying the potential of replacing our gasoline-powered shuttles with all-electric autonomous vehicles that will transport passengers, employees and cargo on-demand to and from the terminal.
In the immediate future, GSP will soon embark upon a significant roadway improvement project that will reduce the congestion in and around the terminal curb front. The project will provide a larger curb area for passengers to be picked up and dropped off, with more lanes available in front of the terminal and additional roundabouts to keep vehicle traffic moving.
Sixty years ago, community leaders had a bold vision to establish a modern airport that will serve the air transportation and economic development needs of the region far into the future. At the time, many believed that generating the level of regional collaboration needed to achieve such a vision was impossible. Community leaders at the time proved that great things can be accomplished by working together and looking to the future.
As we begin our next 60 years, GSP is focused on building on our past and always looking to the future. Thank you for supporting Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. We hope your future travels begin at GSP!
Thank you to Patricia Ravenhorst, General Counsel at the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (SCCADVASA), and Rita Wearbon, Victim Advocate at the City of Greenville Police Department.
The goal of Ten at the Top’s Creating a Safer Upstate Initiative is to create a safer and more united Upstate Region where law enforcement and community leaders work together to foster a culture mutual respect. Officers attended elementary schools around the Upstate on Fist Bump Friday last week.
