![The Value of a Regional Food System]()
May 10, 2016 | News
Well, warm weather is upon us and you know what that means? Lots of fresh and tasty local products become available in the rural and urban farmers market’s that seem to be popping up all across the Upstate. Not that I will ever stop visiting my local grocery chain, but stocking my pantry with regionally grown fruits, vegetables and proteins makes sense on many levels.
Of all things I find my shopping pace less hurried and enjoyable while browsing through baskets and bins of produce feeling a more intimate connection with food itself in thinking about a fresh and healthy evening menu. Secondly, in a small way I am supporting a regional food system that provides local farmers with collective capacity allowing them to be more competitive with commodity products in serving grocery chains, local restaurants and institutions across the Upstate.
Locally grown food also travels less (lower energy intensity) and typically requires less processing in order to stay fresh, indeed a concern as we have recently heard about recalls of large amounts of frozen produce sourced to a few large national processors.
Finally, supporting a regional food network reconnects us within our communities and is already spurring efforts to make healthy eating more accessible and affordable in areas of our region considered food deserts. I can’t really tell if locally grown food tastes better but having the mental connection with the land and the lives that directly depend on its bounty sure makes it seem more tasty!
Sincerely,
Hank McCullough
![The Value of a Regional Food System]()
May 6, 2016 | News
By: Ashley Downing
The PIQUE on March 7th brought together more than 300 young professionals from across the Upstate region and common theme to the day was GET INVOLVED!
That’s all well and good but… how?
The Upstate is full of opportunities for young professionals to get engaged now to use their talents to make a difference in their community and in our region – we just have to find them. Whether you want to volunteer, enter into local government, focus on economic development, or the arts, the opportunity to make an impact is yours for the taking. Chances are, what you are looking for is already out there, it may just take some homework and a willingness to step out.
Interested in boosting your career? Below are just a few ways to get started…
• Find out if your community already has a young professionals group. It’s an easy way to get plugged in to yps and professional opportunities in your area.
• Get your name out there and attend business networking events, it’s KEY. Make a point to meet the business leaders in your area, they won’t bite! They can also help mentor, guide, and give recommendations to help you in your career.
• Stay up-to-date on what’s happening in the news. Both in your area and surrounding areas. Sign up for newsletters from reputable outlets and actually read them! It’s amazing what you’ll learn.
• Be willing to invest in yourself. Read books and articles, take courses that will provide you more information or qualifications, go to lunch with one of those leaders you connected with and pick their brain.
Want to give back? Some tips to get you thinking…
• Figure out how much time you have to dedicate to getting involved. This will vary and there is no set amount that you should aim for, it’s up to you.
• Find your passion. Sometimes this is easier said than done but think about it; what you are interested in? What did you love to do as a kid/teen/student? Start there, then branch out. If you know your passion, seek out individuals and organizations that support that. Guaranteed, nonprofits will always welcome your interest and readiness to help out.
• Where do you want to give back? In your direct community or maybe a neighboring city?
• How do you want to serve? What about mentoring or working within a group, children or adults, animals, natural resources, etc. – how can your unique set of skills be best used?
The above is by no means a comprehensive list on how to get engaged, just a few things that I’ve picked up along the way. To get your wheels turning. Know that it is possible, people are generally nice and easy to talk to, and you have the wherewithal to do something that matters; for your career and/or your community.
Ashley is the Communications Manager for Ten at the Top and an Upstate native.
![The Value of a Regional Food System]()
Apr 26, 2016 | News
Innovation is Alive in Smaller Upstate Communities.
With innovation and entrepreneurialism being choice words in context of building a complimentary home grown economy in the Upstate these days, one could be led to believe that efforts in this regard are mainly centered in our larger populations centers. Access to start-up capital and supporting infrastructure are certainly more available in a progressive metropolitan setting, however I was pleasantly surprised this past week to see that small cities and towns in the region are creating and pushing boundaries as well.
Our Reconnect event in Due West and the TATT Bus Tour through Pickens County highlighted that creativity knows no geographic or cultural boundaries. Community leaders in public and private sectors are critical in creating a culture and support network that fosters transformational thinking and questions the status quo. Regardless of size, towns and communities that innovate will be more relevant and more sustainable individually and as contributors to the overall economic health of the region.
Innovation elevates the Upstate!
Sincerely,
Hank McCullough
![The Value of a Regional Food System]()
Apr 25, 2016 | News
By Dean Hybl
Wanting to provide interested Upstate leaders with an opportunity to see first-hand what is being done by communities across the Upstate to enhance their economic vitality and quality of life, last year Ten at the Top began to hold “Getting to Know Our Neighbors” bus tours of counties across the region.
During our most recent trip to Pickens County, we discovered a county where city, business and education leaders are all working hard to enhance their internal product and opportunities for the future.
Though the Mayors like to tease about their competitive history, the reality is that the cities of Easley and Pickens recognize that they are directly connected and that through collaboration they can make each other stronger, and thus provide better opportunities for their residents as well as residents from across the county. The Doodle Trail, which will celebrate its first anniversary next month, is a great example of how partnerships can have a positive impact for everyone.
While the Doodle Trail is primarily an amenity for local residents, it does provide some tourism opportunities in a county that fully understands that tourism is a huge economic opportunity. As part of the tour we had the opportunity to see Hagood Mill, which is just one of many special places that is being showcased as a local and regional tourism destination. We also toured Red Owens Sports Complex, which is a tremendous asset both as a place for local kids to enjoy sports, but also as a destination location for large national sporting events.
We also had the opportunity to learn about some of the community outreach being done through the Dream Center in Easley and efforts by Baptist Easley Hospital to grow a healthy community.
Clearly, leaders within Pickens County recognize that education is part of the answer to their future economic success. The investment that has been made in the public school system over the last five years is quite striking. We were treated to lunch at the Pickens County Career & Technology Center prepared by students in their culinary program. Since 2012, Pickens County has built not just the Center, but also four new high schools. The result is an opportunity to create innovative learning opportunities for all students in Pickens County.
Connecting education with the manufacturing base is also important in Pickens County and the group Manufacturers Caring for Pickens County has played a key role in reinforcing connections between the business community and education. The Pickens Innovation Center is also filling a valuable role supporting entrepreneur and small business development in the community. Longstanding companies like Blue Ridge Electric also play a valuable role in supporting both the economic and community vibrancy within the county.
The emphasis on education and innovation is not just limited to the k-12 schools in Pickens County. Our tour also included tours of Southern Wesleyan University and Clemson University.
Though significantly different in their scale and scope, both schools are charging into the future with the goal of providing first-class education opportunities for their students. There is quite a lot of construction being done at both schools as they look to how they can build on their long histories while keeping an eye on the future.
Overall, it is clear that local communities, business leaders and educators across Pickens County are committed to providing their residents with job opportunities, education, recreational and quality of life resources that will ensure all residents have the ability to succeed and enjoy life in Pickens County.
Our next Getting to Know Our Neighbors tour will be to Spartanburg County later this summer, so be sure to stay tuned and join us on the bus.
Dean serves as the Executive Director for Ten at the Top
Apr 18, 2016 | News
Upstate, SC [April 18, 2016] – On May 12th, city, county, and state elected leaders from within the 10-county Upstate will assemble for a special Upstate Elected Officials meeting, to be held from 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm at the Michelin North America Headquarters Auditorium (1 Parkway S, Greenville SC 29615).
The program will include a presentation by David Shellhorse from ACOG on the Entrepreneurial Friendly Communities Tool Kit and a panel discussion facilitated by John Lummus with entrepreneurs/economic development leaders discussing some best practice examples of incubators and other entrepreneurial efforts being done by communities in the Upstate.
Panelists include:
Glenn Breed – City of Anderson
Dave Eldridge – Tri-County Business Development Corporation
The Honorable Mike Forrester – Spartanburg Community College
John Moore – NEXT
Since 2010, Ten at the Top, Upstate Forever, Upstate SC Alliance, Appalachian Council of Governments, Upper Savannah Council of Governments, and Catawba Regional Council of Governments have been regularly convening meetings of city, county and state elected leaders, as well as selected business leaders, from across the ten-county Upstate Region to discuss key issues that impact how we are growing and prospering as a region.
Following the meeting please plan on staying for a networking reception with other leaders from across the Upstate.
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.
###
Well, warm weather is upon us and you know what that means? Lots of fresh and tasty local products become available in the rural and urban farmers market’s that seem to be popping up all across the Upstate. Not that I will ever stop visiting my local grocery chain, but stocking my pantry with regionally grown fruits, vegetables and proteins makes sense on many levels.
