![South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt Receives the Welling Award For Regional Collaboration]()
Nov 17, 2014 | News
Upstate, SC [November 17, 2014] – South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt has been recognized as the 2014 recipient of the Welling Award for Collaboration, which is presented by Ten at the Top (TATT) in honor of the organization’s founding chairman Irv 
Welling.
Welling presented the award to Mr. Hitt at the Our Upstate Vision/Ten at the Top Regional Forum on November 13th.
“We are having economic success in South Carolina because we are working collaboratively at the local, regional and state level,” Hitt said. “It just makes sense that when we are all working towards the same goal we can achieve success.”
The Welling Award is given to recognize individuals, businesses, or organizations whose actions have demonstrated a sustained commitment and effort to developing and fostering regional collaboration(s) that work strategically to make the Upstate one of the best places to live, learn, do business and raise a family.
“Bobby Hitt was promoting collaboration in South Carolina before it became popular,” Welling said. “Whether during his BMW days or now, he has always been seen the value of working collaboratively and done everything he can to make it happen.”
Ten at the Top is a regional collaboration organization focused on promoting collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate on issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life in the ten-county region. Welling served as chairman of Ten at the Top from its founding in 2005 through 2011.
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![South Carolina Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt Receives the Welling Award For Regional Collaboration]()
Nov 17, 2014 | News
Upstate, SC [November 17, 2014] – Ten at the Top (TATT), an organization created to foster collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate, has announced the 2014 recipients for the Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Community Vibrancy Grants.
There were five finalists chosen from a total of 22 applications that were submitted for the two grants available in 2014. Hughes Investments is contributing $10,000 per year to the program with two recipients each year receiving $5,000 to support a new vibrancy initiative in the Upstate.
During the Our Upstate Vision/Ten at the Top Forum on November 13th the five finalists provided a brief overview of their initiative. After all presentations were given, Phil Hughes, President of Hughes Investments and a member of the Ten at the Top Community Vibrancy Task Force, announced the two recipients of the grants.
The recipients are:
Let’s Keep Travelers Rest Beautiful – Before I Die Wall – The ‘Before I Die’ wall concept has been implemented all over the world to encourage healthy discussions regarding dreams and hopes. Travelers Rest will construct several different walls to spark discussion and actions across the community.
Main Street Laurens – Finally Friday on the Square – Finally Friday on the Square will be a monthly celebration of all things Laurens with live music hosted in the historic downtown.
“I was absolutely amazed by the number of great ideas submitted for the program. It was a real challenge to narrow the field from 22 applications to five finalists, to two winners”, said Hughes. “While we cannot fund all of the finalists, I would like to provide $1,000 to the other three projects in the hopes that this will allow your projects to come to fruition.”
The other three finalists that will each receive $1,000 towards their project are:
City of Gaffney – Unforgettable Gaffney – The Unforgettable Gaffney project will create a coherent and engaging system for communicating the esthetic and historic value of properties in two historic districts in the city.
City of Clinton – Rhythm of the Rails – Rhythm of the Rails will be an annual celebration to be held the last Saturday of April as a finale of the Celebrate Clinton Month.
Pickens Revitalization Association – Pickens Main Street Challenge – The Pickens Main Street Challenge is designed to attract new businesses into downtown Pickens by providing reduced rent in currently vacant storefronts.
“The Elevate Upstate Community Vibrancy Grants are a great opportunity to provide seed funds to help communities increase the vibrancy and sense of place within their community,” said Ten at the Top Executive Director Dean Hybl. “Phil Hughes has been a great champion of the community vibrancy task force since the beginning and the idea for the grant program was his.
“Last year he surprised everyone by presenting a third grant and this year he decided to give all of the other finalists $1,000 to help get their projects started. It just illustrates how committed he is to helping our local communities grow their vibrancy and sense of place”
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Oct 27, 2014 | News
Upstate, SC [October 27, 2014] – Ten at the Top (TATT), an organization created to foster collaboration, partnerships and strategic planning across the Upstate, recently conducted the 400th regional engagement (presentations, forums, meetings, surveys) since the organization began its current phase in January 2010. The activities have included more than 22,500 participants from across the Upstate region.
Ranging from issue-based task force meetings to presentations for community organizations or gatherings of hundreds of elected officials, community & business leaders and Upstate residents discussing key issues around the economic vitality or quality of life in the Upstate, each session has helped grow the spirit of collaboration and partnerships across the Upstate region.
The issues on which TATT has convened regional meetings and encouraged collaboration focus around the five driver areas of the Our Upstate Vision (which TATT developed through feedback from more than 10,000 Upstate residents). The specific topics on which TATT has convened meetings and forums include the value of education, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, senior issues, air quality attainment, water planning, transportation & infrastructure, workforce & skill development and local community vibrancy.
In September, Ten at the Top hosted its largest event, the Upstate Regional Forum, which brought together more than 800 leaders and interested residents from across the Upstate to look at where we have been as a region, where we are now and where we are going.
“Ten at the Top has strived to elevate the conversation about how working collaboratively across the Upstate region isn’t just a ‘good idea’, but is crucial if our local communities are all going to reach their full potential,” said current TATT Chairperson Carol Burdette. “Reaching 400 meetings and activities is significant because it illustrates that TATT is actively engaging stakeholders from across the Upstate to build regional trust and grow the capacity of the region to strategically address key issues that impact our economic vitality and quality of life.”
Ten at the Top was originally formed under the name Upstate Together in 2005 as an ad hoc regional committee with the goal of encouraging regional discussions on cross-jurisdictional issues. In 2009, the group hosted the Upstate Reality Check event that brought together more than 400 leaders from across the region. It was at that point that the name of the organization was changed to Ten at the Top and it was incorporated as a non-profit.
In 2009, Upstate leaders identified a lack of regional collaboration as a barrier toward future growth and success for the region. Of respondents to a survey conducted in advance of the September 2014 Regional Summit, 94% said that they believe regional collaboration is stronger today than it was in 2009, though 60% said it is still a potential barrier if we do not continue working to build regional capacity and partnerships.
The current work plan of community activities, meetings, forums and presentations began in 2010 following the hiring of Dean Hybl as executive director. Irv Welling served as the chair of Ten at the Top through 2011, followed by Neal Workman for 2012-2013 and Burdette for the current two year term. The board of directors includes more than 50 leaders from across the ten counties of the Upstate region.
Outreach Highlights:
• TATT has hosted three Regional Summits and nine Regional Forums on topics including: regional communications, senior issues, workforce & skill development, transportation & infrastructure and natural resources. The most recent summit, in September 2014, included more than 800 participants from across the Upstate.
• In partnership with other regional organizations, TATT has convened eleven Upstate Elected Officials Meetings that bring together city, county and state elected officials as well as business and community leaders to discuss key regional issues. Among the topics that have been addressed are: economic development, transportation, city/county/state/federal communications and water resources.
• Within the five driver areas of the our Upstate Vision (Human Potential, Economic & Entrepreneurial Vitality, Sustainable Growth, Natural Beauty & Resources and Community Vibrancy), TATT has convened meetings of stakeholders from across the Upstate on many topics including: identifying barriers to educational success, supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses, senior issues, air quality attainment, water planning, workforce & skill development, tourism and preventive health care.
• TATT helped facilitate the development of the first long-term regional transportation partnership in the Upstate between GPATS (Greenville-Pickens Area Transportation Study) and SPATS (Spartanburg Area Transportation Study).
• TATT convened the seven United Ways in the region in an effort that has led to a region-wide messaging campaign around early childhood education. This marks the first-ever region-wide partnership by all the United Ways in the Upstate.
• In partnership with the Barbara Stone Foundation, TATT convened the first meeting of organizations that work with individuals with disabilities and special needs. The result has been a year-long effort to enhance communications amongst organizations and to increase programs available for individuals with disabilities and special needs.
• In 2010 TATT held a community workshop in every county in the region. In 2013 it held four Community Vibrancy Workshops across the region. Presentations have been made to organizations in every county in the region.
Oct 13, 2014 | News
Upstate, SC [October 13, 2014] – Ten at the Top (TATT) has announced the addition of Tiffany Tate as Program Manager. Tiffany will be responsible for coordinating task forces, work groups and regional initiatives around the five driver areas of the Our Upstate Vision.
Ten at the Top (TATT) works with regional partners to foster collaboration and strategic planning to enhance the economic vitality, natural and cultural resources and quality of life for Upstate residents both today and as the region continues to grow.
Tiffany Tate attended Clemson University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Sociology.
Tiffany is no stranger to the Upstate of South Carolina. As a native of Liberty, she attended Liberty High School before attending Clemson University. She previously worked with Core Financial Resources where she managed social media and client communication campaigns, designed marketing materials and served as the contact for various events, fundraisers, and classes.
“I’m excited to be able to address the most important issues facing the Upstate today by encouraging the creation and expansion of collaborative relationships in the Upstate,“ says Tiffany.
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, natural and cultural resources 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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Jul 1, 2014 | News
“Re-Checking Our Reality” a forum to learn, share around key drivers for Upstate’s economy and quality of life
Greenville, S.C. – This morning, tickets went on sale to the general public for “Re-Checking Our Reality” – an Upstate Regional Summit hosted by Ten at the Top this September.
WHO: Ten at the Top, a local non-profit organization that envisions an Upstate region where collaboration, coordination and cooperation across community and business sectors make us stronger together.
WHAT: “Re-Checking Our Reality” is an Upstate Regional Summit that will provide an opportunity for business and community leaders, as well as engaged citizens, to look at where we have been as a region, where we are today and where we need to make sure we are going in our continuing efforts to be universally recognized as a leading place in the United States to live, learn, do business and raise a family.
Tickets are now on sale and registration is open. To register, click here. Tickets are $40 per person and include lunch. Non-profit organizations and government officials may register for $20 per person, thanks to a grant from The Daniel-Mickel Foundation. Those interested in reserving a table for ten (10) should call (864) 546-7482. For media credentials, please contact Jamie Prince at Flourish at (864) 248-0255 or via email at jamie@startflourishing.com.
WHERE: TD Convention Center | Ballroom
1 Exposition Drive
Greenville, SC 29607
Park in Ballroom 1 parking lot and enter the Conference Center through the double glass doors at the traffic circle.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 16, 2014
8:30 am – Registration and Breakfast
9:00 am – Opening Program: “Where Have We Been, Where are We Now, and Where are We Going?”
10:00 am – Breakout Sessions: “Sharing Ideas and Actions for Advancing the Upstate”
Human Potential
Creating opportunities for all Upstate residents to succeed
Economic and Entrepreneurial Vitality
Growing the competitiveness of the Upstate in the global economy
Sustainable Growth
Encouraging future growth in appropriate locations that enhance livability in the Upstate
Natural Beauty and Resources
Serving as reliability stewards of our natural environment and resources
Community Vibrancy
Embracing the importance and heritage of the Upstate’s urban areas and small towns
12:00 pm – Summit Luncheon: “Why Building Regional Capacity is Crucial to Our Economic Vitality and Quality of Life”, featuring a keynote address from The Honorable Glenda Hood, former Mayor of the City of Orlando and Florida Secretary of State
For more details on Glenda Hood, see attached press release.
WHY: Recognizing the fifth anniversary of the “Upstate Reality Check” event held in 2009, the Upstate Regional Summit will bring together an estimated 400-500 people to highlight what has been done to promote collaboration and enhance economic vitality and quality of life in the Upstate over the past five years, discuss key systemic issues facing the Upstate today and into the future, and generate constructive dialogue on how to continue building collaborative efforts that increase capacity and maximize resources.
About Ten at the Top
Founded in 2009, Ten at the Top fosters partnerships and cooperation amongst ten counties, which form the Upstate South Carolina region, and has become an active regional entity fostering collaboration and strategic planning around issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life in the Upstate. Ten at the Top has hosted more than 350 meetings, programs and workshops that have informed and engaged more than 20,000 participants across the Upstate during its first five years. To learn more about Ten at the Top, visit tenatthetop.org or connect with them on Facebook.
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Jun 18, 2014 | News
Upstate, SC [June 18, 2014] – Applications are now being accepted for the 2014 Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Community Vibrancy Grants, which are designed to provide communities in the Upstate with seed money to help develop a local initiative that promotes community or economic vibrancy. The grant program was established in 2013 by Ten at the Top (TATT) utilizing a funding commitment from Phil Hughes and Hughes Investments Inc. In 2014 two grants will be awarded with each project receiving up to $5,000 in grant support.
Organizations eligible to apply for the funding support include neighborhood associations, civic or community based organizations, non-profit organizations or local governments that are committed to developing and implementing programs designed to increase local vibrancy in communities within the Upstate.
During the first year of the program, grants were awarded to the City of Greer Parks & Recreation Department to develop an international festival; the Blue Ridge Arts Council for a public art project in Seneca; and the City of Anderson for a public art project in their Wren Park.
Applicants must be located in and do their work within communities in one of the ten Upstate counties: Abbeville, Anderson, Cherokee, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, Oconee, Pickens, Spartanburg, or Union. Successful proposals for projects funded with Elevate Upstate grants should be able to clearly demonstrate how the implementation of the initiative that they propose will benefit and provide vibrancy in the local community. These proposals may seek to produce a physical result, such as a mural, sculpture or signage that will increase the vibrancy and sense of place within a community, or implement the first of a reoccurring or annual event or program that helps grow vibrancy within a community.
The applications are now available on the Ten at the Top website (https://tenatthetop.org/elevate-upstate-grants). Interested candidates are asked to complete an interest form by August 1st and the completed applications are due by September 15th. Interest forms and completed applications can be sent to Dean Hybl (dhybl@tenatthetop.org).
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Welling.