Jul 25, 2016 | News
Greenville, S.C. – Ten at the Top has announced the presenters for the breakout sessions of the Upstate Regional Summit presented by BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, to be held September 13 at the TD Convention Center. A total of 18 Upstate leaders will highlight initiatives that are helping make the region a leading place to live, learn, do business and raise a family. Five of the sessions will focus specifically on initiatives within one of the driver areas for the Our Upstate Vision (Community Vibrancy, Economic & Entrepreneurial Vitality, Human Potential, Natural Beauty & Resources, and Sustainable Growth), and one session will specifically focus on successful collaborative partnership initiatives.
During each 45-minute breakout session, three Upstate leaders will share details about their initiative, followed by a moderated panel discussion. Summit registrants will be able to select two sessions to attend. The following initiatives will be featured:
SESSION ONE
Community Vibrancy
• Moderated by Torance Inman and R.P. Rama, and commentated by Abe Goldberg
• Featured initiatives:
o Taylors Town Square presented by Alex Reynolds, President, Taylors Town Square
o Laurens Finally Friday presented by Jonathan Irick, Main Street Coordinator, City of Laurens
o Culture Counts presented by Jennifer Evins, President/CEO, Chapman Cultural Center
Natural Beauty & Resources: Time to Environmentally “Grow-up”
• Moderated by Dyke Spencer
• Featured initiatives:
o ReWa Reedy River Quality Initiative presented by Graham W. Rich, Executive Director, ReWa
o Breathe Better No-Idling School Program presented by Sandra Yudice, Ph.D., Assistant to the Greenville County Administrator
o Human Impact on Natural Resources presented by Rebecca West, Chief Operations Officer, Greenville Water
Collaboration is the New Competition
• Moderated by John Lummus
• Featured initiatives:
o Spartanburg Northside Development presented by Bill Barnet, Chairman, Spartanburg Northside Development Group
o Bosch of Anderson Workforce Development Partnership presented by Randy Bunch, Director of Human Resources, Bosch-Anderson
o Greenville Health System Clinical University presented by Dr. Brenda Thames, Vice President of Academic & Faculty Affairs, Greenville Health System
SESSION TWO
Economic & Entrepreneurial Vitality
• Moderated by Jim Price and Erin Ouzts, and commentated by Jordana Megonigal
• Featured initiatives:
o Community Works Financial Stability Program presented by Deborah McKetty, Executive Director, Community Works
o SC Fire Fighters Youth Program presented by Bryan Riebe, Recruitment & Retention Coordinator, SC Fire Fighters Association
o City of Simpsonville Entrepreneurial Friendly Tool Kit Program presented by Allison McGarity, President/CEO, Simpsonville Chamber of Commerce
Human Potential
• Moderated by Paul Corbeil and Karen Burgess
• Featured initiatives:
o Greenville County Schools Graduation Plus presented by Burke Royster, Superintendent, Greenville County Schools
o Aid Joy Ask Directions Initiative presented by Jonathan Shanin, Executive Director, AidJoy
o Warrior Fellowship Academy presented by Charlie Hall, Executive Director, Upstate Warrior Solution
Sustainable Growth
• Moderated by Phil Lindler and Michael Forman
• Featured initiatives:
o American Red Cross Home Fire Preparedness Program presented by Ann Wright, Executive Director, Red Cross of the Upstate
o Shaping Our Future Scenario Planning Initiative presented by Lisa Hallo, Sustainable Growth Director, Upstate Forever
o Glendale Shoals Complete Streets and Connectivity Project presented by Sherry Dull, Senior Transportation Planner, SPATS
Centered on the theme “Creating a Leading Region,” the 2016 Upstate Regional Summit will provide a unique opportunity for business, community and civic leaders to share ideas and discuss how to work collaboratively to ensure the Upstate continues to be a leading region. The Summit will begin with a continental breakfast courtesy of GSA Business Report, B2B Expo sponsored by ScanSource, and morning Upstate Leadership Panel discussion sponsored by Converse College, followed by the breakout sessions. The half-day event will culminate over lunch with a keynote address sponsored by Clemson University, featuring award-winning thinker, author, broadcaster and speaker Geoff Colvin, who serves as Senior Editor-at-Large of Fortune Magazine.
There are a limited number of table sponsorships and tickets available for the Summit. Early bird ticket pricing is available through July 31. For more information, please visit www.tenatthetop.org or call 864.283.2317.
About Ten at the Top
Formed in 2009, Ten at the Top envisions an Upstate region where collaboration, coordination and cooperation across communities and business sectors are hallmarks. It fosters partnerships and cooperation amongst the ten counties that form South Carolina’s Upstate, and encourages these diverse communities to work together to enhance the Upstate’s economic vitality and quality of life. To date, Ten at the Top has hosted more than 575 meetings, programs, workshops and forums that have informed and engaged 28,000+ participants. To learn more, visit www.tenatthetop.org.
Jun 14, 2016 | News
Upstate, SC [June 14, 2016] – Through a partnership with Duke Energy, Clean Air Upstate is pleased to announce the J. Dan Powell Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Grant Program. The program is named in memory of J. Dan Powell, who was a tremendous advocate for clean air in the Upstate and helped encourage Clean Air Upstate to pursue funding for electric vehicle charging stations prior to his passing in November 2015 after a courageous battle against lung cancer.
There is a total of $15,000 currently available in the program to fund up to five EV charging stations across the Upstate region. Funds will be distributed on a first-come, first-receive, reimbursable basis for applicants that meet the program criteria and agree to install a free public accessible electric vehicle charging station in their community.
The Clean Air Upstate air quality campaign was started in 2012 by the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee, which is coordinated by Ten at the Top and consists of stakeholder representatives from both the public and private sectors across the Upstate region. Through the Clean Air Upstate campaign, the Upstate Air Quality Advisory Committee has been working to educate Upstate residents, businesses, local governments and organizations on how to help reduce emissions across the region. In addition, the campaign has focused on specific voluntary emission-reducing initiatives to help lower the emission levels in the region.
The J. Dan Powell Electric Vehicle Charging Station Matching Grant Program is the latest emission reduction effort initiated through the Clean Air Upstate campaign. Support of the DHEC Breathe Better No-Idling at Schools program has helped increase the number of Upstate schools participating in the program increase from 14 to 36. Clean Air Upstate also previously helped secure funds for truck stop electrification at the Pilot Gas Station in Duncan and for electric vehicle charging stations in Fountain Inn and Travelers Rest. In addition, a partnership with WSPA-TV, GSA Business, Duke Energy and Bon Secours St. Francis created a public awareness campaign that has been ongoing since 2013.
“We are very pleased that this grant program is able to recognize the memory of a great community and clean air advocate,” said Dean Hybl, Executive Director of Ten at the Top. “Dan pushed our committee and many others at the local, state and national levels to continue pursuing all opportunities available to make our air cleaner.
“This grant program will give local communities another level of support in their efforts to provide electric vehicle drivers with the local infrastructure needed to make using clean vehicles easier.”
For more details about the Clean Air Upstate campaign and tips for how to make our air cleaner, please check out www.cleanairupstate.org.
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Jun 7, 2016 | News
Upstate, SC [June 7, 2016] – Ten at the Top (TATT) is continuing efforts to bring together leaders and residents from across the Upstate through the “Upstate Bus Tour… Getting to Know Your Neighbors,” a quarterly tour to communities across the region. The first stop of 2016 will be to Spartanburg County on Wednesday, June 22nd. The bus will leave from the TATT office in Greenville at 8:30 am and return by 5:00 pm and is open to anyone interested in learning more about the Upstate region.
“The Upstate is full of special places that are working to grow their economic vibrancy while also enhancing the quality of life and educational opportunities for their local residents,” said Dean Hybl, Executive Director of Ten at the Top. “There is a lot of positive things happening in Spartanburg County and we are glad to be able to help showcase those initiatives through the regional bus tour.”
Participants on the bus tour will spend a full day in Spartanburg County. Including stops at the North Spartanburg Sports Complex, driving tour of the revitalized Northside Community and in depth walking tour of Downtown Spartanburg. The group will also take a driving and walking tour through the Spartanburg Manufacturing corridor, including a tour of Kobelco and the Business Incubator at Spartanburg Community College Tiger River Campus.
The day will also include lunch at The George featuring county education and business leaders. Allen Smith, President and CEO of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce, and Todd Horne, Vice President of Clayton Construction, will also share the Spartanburg Vision Project.
This is a unique opportunity to learn about Spartanburg County in one action-packed, educational, and fun day. The tour is limited to only 33 participants and is filling quickly. The cost for the day is $25, including transportation, program, and lunch. Register today by clicking HERE or contacting Ashley Downing, at 864-283-2317 or adowning@tenatthetop.org. Reservation deadline is June 20th.
About Ten at the Top
Comprised of public, private and civic leaders from across the ten-county Upstate South Carolina Region, Ten at the Top was created to build regional trust and encourage regional collaboration through data-driven research and regular convening of leaders and citizens to address key issues facing the region. Ten at the Top works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow. For more information, visit www.tenatthetop.org.
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![How Are You Connecting?]()
Jun 7, 2016 | News
By: Hank McCullough
I have been giving a bit of thought to my connections across the Upstate. Through our work, family activities, kids activities, and spiritual life it is easy to see that there are many venues in which to share our ideas, thoughts, and concerns about our world.
Through those interactions we find commonality and differences that have potential to benefit out larger community. Still I question whether we are involving the right people in our work toward a stronger, more prosperous region if we don’t move beyond the polarization and like growing counter productive like mindedness that greets us throughout the day in the latest blog or social media post.
It is natural for us to operate within our own reality and comfort zone and I am certainly guilty of gravitating toward narrow mindedness at times.
So I challenge you to think about making a connection outside the stream of your daily routine that is foreign and perhaps uncomfortable. In being inquisitive and vulnerable we broaden our perspective and our opportunity to positively impact the Upstate region.
Sincerely,
Hank McCullough
![How Are You Connecting?]()
May 24, 2016 | News
We can all agree that accessible trail systems are the rage these days with efforts in Spartanburg, Pickens-Easley, and Greenville gaining wide public support in fostering healthy active lifestyles, connecting communities, and in providing an economic boost to neighborhoods and towns along the way.
These investments in alternative transportation infrastructure provide access to recreation in undeserved areas of the region as well and are truly an asset. Still I wonder whether we are looking at trails in too narrow of a context when I see majority of people driving miles to a trail head to ” hop on” for enjoyment versus hopping on a trail to actually get somewhere like a neighbor’s home, to a school, a shopping district, or place of work?
Do trails actually get us to the places we go every day and do they provide realistic transportation options? Will I ever be able to get safely by foot or two wheels to my office off of Woodruff Road from my home in Taylors in anything other than a car? Should we not consider asking those involved in development and re-development, public and private, to consider trails and connectivity as part of their plan in growing and connecting the trails to other trails and in concert with traditional road infrastructure?
With more open space and land in our rural communities perhaps they are better positioned to build this into their long term community plan. I think we are all making progress, and I certainly applaud those engaged in this long term thinking about our region. For whatever reason keep on hopping!
Sincerely,
Hank McCullough
![How Are You Connecting?]()
May 24, 2016 | News
by Dean Hybl:
When former Walgreens Senior Vice President Randy Lewis recently spoke at a TATT Regional Forum, he set a vision for how major corporations can create a platform that allows for meaningful employment for historically “untapped” workers while also providing a great benefit for the company.
While Lewis started his journey for creating a workplace opportunity for all as a result of his own family situation and wondering whether there would ever be employment opportunities for his son with Autism, he eventually realized that by creating an environment that utilized the skills of workers with some level of disability he was making his company better.
Better because they were developing an inclusive culture and creating a sense of worth and value for people who may have previously struggled to find employment at a living wage, but also better because in many cases the previously “untapped” employees were high performers who made overall production and company operations better.
With unemployment in the Upstate hovering around 5% and new companies bringing jobs to the region at record rates, finding capable employees for all jobs is critical. Tapping all available employment groups is not only important for our economy, but also will have long-lasting benefits for the entire Upstate.
The Walgreens Distribution Center that Lewis helped bring to Anderson a decade ago is a model for how to create an inclusive work environment. There are other employers in the region who are also tapping into our previously untapped workforce. If your business is in need of suitable employees, I encourage you to look beyond traditional sources and see if there are other options that could connect you with employees who will be dedicated and help make your company better.
Whether someone may have a physical or mental disability, non-violent criminal history or other barrier that may appear to be an impediment to employment, there are organizations in our region working every day to connect people willing and capable of working with available jobs. Greenville CAN (Collaborative Action Network) has developed a list of local resources (click here for the link) that can help employers find capable employees who just need an opportunity to succeed.
