Mar 9, 2021 | News
Dr. Michael Hedgecock, Program Manager, AnMed Health Behavioral Health Center
The famous lyrics, “Times like these we learn to live again.”, from the Foo Fighters have rang true this past year. People have experienced immense stress and anxiety. I do not believe we have even begun to scratch the surface on the ramifications of the coronavirus on mental health issues. We have lived in uncertain times for the past year. Some people are understandably fearful, anxious, and stressed to the point that it starts to manifest in everyday life. We know that 1 in 4 people are affected by mental health issues prior to the pandemic that has taken more than a half a million lives in the United States alone. So many people have experienced loss of a family member or friend. There has been increased unemployment, downsizing of jobs, and businesses closed causing more families than ever struggling with food insecurity. People are isolated working from home or attending school classes virtually from home. A sense of normalcy is gone with sporting events cancelled, weddings postponed, and graduations limited. Anxiety has increased due to inability to see and celebrate with friends and family. Having a family member die alone in a hospital due to COVID-19 has made the grief process more trying. The question is what can we do to help ourselves, family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers get through this.
We need to be able to work together, be flexible and more collaborative than ever. This is a time, that we need to take care of ourselves first in order to look after others. We need to take care of basic needs such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and drinking plenty of water. If you deprive yourself of any of these basic needs, you place yourself at high risk for increased anxiety and depression. The stress will compromise your ability to function in turn leading to decompensation. You must be mindful to take breaks during the day. When it is possible you should do something unrelated to work or school. Try and get outside to take a walk, read a book, listen to music, talk with a friend or family member. By giving yourself a break, it enables you to recharge and come back to a task with renewed energy and clarity. You should make it a point to reach out to colleagues and hear what they are doing. We have created an environment of isolation which can create an increase of anxiety and fear. By staying connected with colleagues you can receive support and learn from them what they are doing.
We know that there has been varying degrees of information that has been reported to us. It is often very helpful to stay informed with trusted sources of information. By receiving correct data this will help you make informed choices and help to reduce your stress. You should attend and be part of any company meeting so you can stay informed on current situations and any new changes that might be coming. You should limit your exposure to social media. Very often you will get mixed messages that could cause you to worry more and in turn increase your stress and anxiety. Be sure to have check ins with yourself and people important to you. Monitor yourself over time and look for signs of increased sadness, problems sleeping, irritability, or hopelessness. With these warning signs, it would be an ideal time to reach out to a peer, friend, supervisor or seek professional help from a mental health specialist.
When trying to take care of mental health issues, avoid working too many hours solo without having any check in points with colleagues. Try to limit the intake of sweets and caffeine but certainly reward yourself when needed. Remember to take time for yourself. Ask for space if you need it. Seek outside professional help through your companies EAP program or an outpatient mental health professional in your community.
This has been a tough year. We will get through this together by fostering open and transparent communication with one another which will help reduce anxiety, fears, and stress. We need to look at the positive, complement each other, celebrate success big or little, as well as listen to and connect with family members, friends and colleagues.
Dr. Michael Hedgecock will be the Guest Speaker for our next TATT Chat “Maintaining Mental Health” – Register now!
Mar 5, 2021 | News
Guest Speakers, Tom Allen, Director of Safety, Transportation, and Emergency Response, South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff, Jim Stritzinger, Founder, President & CEO, Revolution D, Inc., and Shannon Sears, Director of Commercial Operations, West Carolina Tel on Broadband in the Upstate
Please see video recording to view presentations and comments. View presentation here.
Q & A and Links
Q: Who is eligible to apply for the grants?
A: Providers are eligible and entities are encouraged to advocate local providers to apply.
Q: Do you know if USAC is going to expand E-rate to include another category for home? Can we use the grant to provide for our 20% match?
A: This is the link to the new funding available from ORS and the Department of Commerce -https://ors.sc.gov/broadband/funding/rural-broadband-grant-program
Here is the link to the map. Please keep in mind that there are errors and we are working with ISPs and vendor to correct – https://ors.sc.gov/broadband/funding/rural-broadband-grant-program
Thank you to our funding partners:
Current Supporters
3/9/21 UEE Workshop: Conversations to Avoid Intellectual Property Calamities:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMvcOyurjkqGdHOFP4ufKyFmli74Ri7XuXq
3/24/21 at 10:00 am: UPP Workshop: Northside Community Update:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYrceyppj0sGd08f3tdrAlHHK_CD4x-D5VF
Check out the Upstate Vibe calendar:
#UPSTATEVIBE365 CALENDAR
Please join us for the next TATT CHAT on March 18 at 3pm: Maintaining Mental Health:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYofuuhqz8iHdUWk6BBTjyls0ucfffJBe1l
The EJ Small Grants and EJ CPS RFAs are now live. Closing date is May 7, 2021.
Eligible entities include:
- Non-profits
- U.S. territories
- Tribal Governments (both federally recognized and state-recognized)
- Native American Organizations
- Small grants are for $50,000 each. Looking to fund approximately 56 nationwide with about 5 per region.
CPS awards are for $160,000 each. Looking to fund 20 nationwide with approximately 2 per region.
Areas of emphasis include projects focusing on:
- COVID-19 impacts on underserved communities (both)
- Climate/Disaster Resiliency (both)
- Ports Initiative projects (small grants)
- Projects from small non-profits of 10 or fewer employees (small grants)
- New applicants and grantees (both)
County Updates
Abbeville County – Stephen Taylor, Economic Development Director
- Our unemployment numbers have improved greatly: 13.9 to 4.8
- As a rural community we are glad to see infrastructure growth
- Upper Savannah Virtual Workforce Day was a success (link); WCTEL participated
- Abbeville is looking closely at public transportation options
Union County – Taylor Atkinson, Executive Director, Union County Library
- We have recently hired a full time social worker at the Library (SC Native; has connections and is aware of the local resources) who is doing outreach in our area
- As a workaround to broadband, the library is an “anchor institution” mandated to have internet access by the FCC. In rural parts of Union County they can provide internet to at little to no cost to the community and are working on expanding several other sites in Union County
- Open up for limited library browsing hours and pick ups
Feb 24, 2021 | News
Welcome
Michael Forman, GSP International Airport
Thank You Sponsors
Milliken & Re-Wa
Freedom Mobility Plan Presentation
Michael Hildebrand, Executive Director, Upstate Alliance
Matthew Rehnborg, Transit Planner, Greenlink
Q & A
Q: Why not evaluate every neighborhood that has an existing shape file?
A: Greenlink has an established relationship with the Nicholtown neighborhood leadership which is active in addressing infrastructure components. Nicholtown also has a historical record of community engagement and activities. The committee wanted to use time and resources wisely to produce a successful demonstration.
Q: Do you see using this as part of a governmental approval process for projects in new and existing neighborhoods?
A: Hopefully in the future a system can be developed that is beneficial to municipalities and counties. The UMA’s Active and Livable Task Force is currently working on a short trip survey (two miles or less) to determine how community members they take short trips and how these trips may be improved.
Chat comment: Proximity to schools could enhance opportunities.
Please provide feedback on the Freedom Mobility Plan to Michael Hildebrand of the Upstate Mobility Alliance at mhildebrand@upstatemobilityalliance.org and /or Matthew Rehnborg at mrehnborg@greenvillesc.gov.
Upstate Comprehensive Plan Review Update
Phil Lindler, Greenwood City/County Planning Director
Kyle Dool, Clemson intern, is working on phase two to include transportation and water/sewer services and will present final findings in early May. Please email Phil at plindler@greenwoodsc.gov or Justine Allen at jallen@tenatthetop.org with any questions about the comprehensive plan review.
Next Meeting – March 24 on Spartanburg’s Northside Initiative
Registration Link
Feb 24, 2021 | News
Derek Lewis, Greenville County First Steps Executive Director
Greenville First Steps recently completed a 5-year strategic planning process. The primary goal: to measurably improve school readiness opportunities for children throughout Greenville County. This two year planning process included stakeholder meetings, analysis of local and state data, and a thorough review of evidenced-based programming that has proven effectiveness influencing school readiness indicators.
The board and staff conducted public meetings, held one on one conversations with community partners, principals, parents, childcare directors, pastors, and met with successful early childhood service providers across the country to help develop a plan for Greenville’s future.
Anticipating limited funding, the board acknowledged that we need to be more intentional in selecting who we serve, and what we fund – focusing on communities that could best benefit from our investments and focusing on programming that guarantees the best bang for our buck.
The Board reviewed elementary school data from across the district, looking at kindergarteners in each of our schools, to see where our rising 5K students are most likely to test “ready to succeed” on Kindergarten Readiness Assessments, and which schools have the largest population of 5K students “approaching readiness.”
The board selected three zip codes with the highest numbers of students “approaching readiness” to focus our energies. For the 2021-2025 years, we will focus on families in the 29690, 29611, and 29669 zip codes.
These three zip codes include 12 elementary schools and two SC First Steps 4k classrooms such as: Heritage, Hollis, Gateway, Westcliffe, Welcome, Alexander, Fork Shoals, Ellen Woodside, Legacy Charter School, and St Anthony of Padua Catholic school. These zip codes represent 4,300 children under the age of 5 and their families.
Our Focus:
Parenting Supports: Using investments in high quality parenting programs including Nurse Family Partnership, Positive Parenting Program (Triple P), Countdown to Kindergarten, and other supports to strengthen the work of churches, childcare centers, and community partners as they invest time and energies in strengthening parents as their child’s first and most important teachers.
Early Literacy Supports: There is strong data supporting the importance of early access to high quality books. Through evidenced programs like Reach Out and Read, Raising a Reader, and other book distribution programs, we plan to distribute 30,000 books annually over the next 4 years.
Greenville First Steps will continue to work closely with other community partners including our local churches, private funders, our Head Start, DSS, library partners, and community members. Together we will develop a comprehensive network of support to ensure no student enters school behind her or his peers.
Four years from now, we expect to see gains in 5K school readiness indicators, and hope to demonstrate a successful model of overlapping interventions that can be further expanded to other zip codes across the county. We hope you will join us as we embark on this adventure. Visit www.GreenvilleFirstSteps.org to learn more about our plan and to find ways to get involved!
Feb 19, 2021 | News
Please see video recording to view comments by Tiffany Tate and Aimee Redick of Upstate SC Alliance.
Please click here to view the presentation by Tiffany Tate and Aimee Redick of Upstate SC Alliance.
Q&A
Q: How can a training and job placement program be promoted on a website?
A: At this time, Skill Up chose to focus on programs at the four Upstate technical colleges, but do link to some workforce organizations on the website, and can share information on social channels
Q: Is there a pay minimum for listed jobs?
A: Pulls in anything that fits key words at a wide range of pay scales. Jobs listed have opportunity for growth.
Q: Are there metrics on how jobs that have been secured?
A: There is data on clicks and clickthroughs, more definite data on those who have called.
Q: Are there scholarships and tuition assistance available?
A: There are many sources through the state and industry partnerships. Contact the college contact for accurate information.
Q: Where are you targeting pools of labor?
A: The Upstate is target to promote the job board, and digital campaigns nationwide through google search. Skill Up is in the Upstate for those searching for a new career.
Upstate Initiative Update
Dean Hybl, Ten at the Top
Connecting the Dots: How Transportation Creates Community Vibrancy on February 23 at 12:00 p.m. Register here: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ehj1saggde339e4f&llr=iwqthmdab
UPP Workshop on February 24, 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdO2sqTIsG9JfYtl93bKxL02FQgZqGX0dCounty Updates
County Updates
Cherokee County – Pam Cazell, Cherokee County History and Arts Museum
County Historical Society since 1950s with museum started 11 years ago, Possum Trot Schoolhouse, Fort Thicketty, Revolutionary War sites, and uniquely positioned between three National Parks
Mission to preserve regional history and cultural heritage Full STEAM Ahead program for students
Meeting space available
New building fund campaign to raise funds for increased exhibit, class, meeting spaces and Kids Zone, Sports Zone, Archives, and Research Rooms (including genealogy)
Oconee County – Annie Caggiano, Oconee County Economic Alliance
Strategic planning sessions starting tomorrow for budgeting 2021-2022
Spec building will be number one priority, as this is key to closing deals
Kick off started for Main Street Walhalla with community input and vision, led by Libby Imbody OEA just issued annual report with last year seeing 52 projects coming through Oconee County
Feb 10, 2021 | News
Proterra, a leading commercial electric vehicle technology company with manufacturing operations in Greenville, will become publicly listed through a merger with special purpose acquisition company ArcLight Clean Transition Corporation (Nasdaq: ACTC).
Many in our Upstate region know the story of Proterra’s move to Greenville and subsequent loss of funding. What may not be known is that over the years VentureSouth and the South Carolina Research Authority (SCRA) invested over $5,000,000 to support Proterra’s growth. It was these two groups coming together that helped keep Proterra alive and its manufacturing in Greenville.
VentureSouth’s investors started propping up Proterra in 2011 through the Upstate Carolina Angel Network (UCAN). As of today, 95 individual angel investor-members of VentureSouth, plus about 50 angel investors through 2 of the VentureSouth funds, believed in the electric bus company enough to continue investing almost $5,000,000 over the years. These VentureSouth angels can invest as little as $5000 to support growing companies in the southeast.
SCRA’s role was more than a funding partner. When the primary investor did not materialize in 2011, Proterra enrolled in SCRA’s SC Launch Program and became a Member Company in 2011. Proterra continued to progress through the program and became investible in 2011 with a $250,000 loan from SC Launch, Inc., SCRA’s investment affiliate. SC Launch, Inc. also provided an additional $180,000 in 2012 to help fund new equipment. SCRA stepped in and provided the funding and support Proterra needed to grow to its next phase of success and is considered an early investor on which Proterra’s success is built. Today, Proterra remains an SC Launch, Inc. Portfolio Company.
Proterra’s move to become publicly listed provides a financial return on the risk all those investors took in 2011 and over the years. When local investors support local companies, as those businesses grow and realize a return, the proceeds flow back into our Upstate and provide even more investment funds for growing companies. This is an all-around win for our entrepreneurs.
While most of Proterra’s electric buses have been deployed in California and other parts of the country, there are already several on the road here in the Upstate. In 2015, the town of Seneca became the world’s first all-electric bus fleet when they purchased six Proterra buses. The City of Greenville added four Proterra buses to their fleet in 2019.
In 2020, because of the generosity of local funders such as Michelin and Hollingsworth Funds, Greenlink received funds from the Federal Transit Administration to purchase 6 additional Proterra battery electric buses. When these buses arrive Greenlink will have a total of 10 Proterra buses, giving citizens all over Greenville cleaner air, additional transportation options and the smooth, quiet ride of a Proterra bus.
Proterra’s journey reflects our region’s growing understanding of the importance of supporting high-impact companies and other entrepreneurial ventures. It exemplifies what can be accomplished by collective investment and shared risk.
An Upstate Thank You to all of the UCAN, VentureSouth and SCRA investors.
