Feb 24, 2021 | Staying on Top
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 9, 2021 | Staying on Top, Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Earl Gregorich, CBA
Area Manager & Business Consultant
Greenville Area Small Business Development Centers
In partnership with Clemson University
On January 11, 2021, the SBA and the U.S. Treasury Department reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for First Draw PPP loans. Second Draw PPP Loans were made available on January 13, 2021. Interested borrowers can apply for both PPP loans through participating lenders but, you may want to check into the details first.
It is recommended you work with your local SC Small Business Development Center and your business banking professional. The SBA.gov website has a Lender Match tool and a lender mapping tool if you need help finding a lender.
As part of the second draw, there is a $25 billion set-aside for borrowers who meet specific criteria like, having a maximum of 10 employees and need a loans of $250,000 or less. Borrowers considered for the set aside program must also be located in low or moderate income neighborhoods.
The Second Draw PPP loans can be used for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent, utilities, worker protection costs (PPE), and uninsured property damage costs due to looting or vandalism occurring in 2020. Other supplier and operating expenses may also be acceptable uses of funds as outlined on the SBA.gov website.
Borrowers may qualify for a maximum loan amount of 2.5x average monthly 2019 or 2020 payroll costs up to $2 million. Businesses in the Accommodation and Food Service industries may qualify for 3.5x average monthly payroll costs in 2019 or 2020, up to $2 million. Your business NAICS code must begin with “72” to qualify for the 3.5x multiplier. See your tax returns or contact the SBDC for assistance finding your NAICS codes.
In order to qualify for the Second Draw PPP, you must also have received and used the full amount of a First Draw PPP. You must have 300 or fewer employees and must show at least a 25% reduction in gross receipts between two comparable quarters in 2019 and 2020.
If you are interested and meet the qualifications, it is recommended you act fast. The period to apply for a Second Draw PPP will only be open until March 31, 2021 or until funds are exhausted. Borrowers should obtain an application from their lender or download Form 2438SD from the SBA.gov website. This form will outline specific requirements and list any other documentation that may be needed.
Similar to first draw loans, Second Draw PPP Loans made to eligible borrowers may qualify for full loan forgiveness if, during the 8-to-24-week covered period following loan disbursement:
- Employee and compensation levels are maintained in the same manner as required for the First Draw PPP loan (typically no more than a 25% reduction)
- The loan proceeds are spent on payroll costs and other eligible expenses and at least 60 percent of the proceeds are spent on payroll costs
Keep in mind the rules and regulations surrounding stimulus legislation are constantly being adjusted. For the latest information on PPP loans and other small business related stimulus, consult the SBA.gov website or contact your local SC SBDC office.
The SC SBDC advances South Carolina’s economic development by providing entrepreneurs throughout the state no-fee consulting, affordable training programs and access to an array of resources that can help them expand or create a thriving small/medium-size business. Contact the Greenville SBDC office at 864-370-1545.
Feb 5, 2021 | Staying on Top
Please see video recording to view comments by Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Furman University President.
TATT Updates, Dean Hybl, Executive Director
Introduction of TATT’s intern, Sandy Abdelnabi, from Wade Hampton High School
Review of Upstate Vibe page and calendar and COVID-19 Resource page on TATT’s website
County Updates
Laurens County – Laurens Chamber of Commerce, Amanda Munyan
- Vaccination Clinic opened at the Ridge on Monday (Prisma)—22,000 square feet where everything is under one roof; 564 vaccinations this week; tripling their capacity to get it done
- Learning lessons from COVID: communicate virtually; nonprofit round table, small business roundtable to learn about needs, help make connections, work together on upcoming items
- Working with LCDC on FIGHT THE SPREAD campaign; videos from residents about why wearing a mask is important
- MLK Volunteer day: worked on 1.8 mile trail in Laurens County that will connect to Swamp Rabbit Trail connection to Greenville
- March 6: Partnering with Greenwood County to clean the lake with the help of volunteers
- Laurens County is pivoting and continuing to work and has a lot to be proud with growth, opportunity and development
Pickens County – Lover Farms, Brittney Arsiniega
- Received grant from ACRE
- Working on food justice as racial justice and social justice
- Engaging not only in farming (crops, animals), but also trying to be more intentional about community engagement
- Working with Soteria (helping previously incarcerated men reenter society) to build coop
- Developing education courses, outdoor classes
- Girl/Boy Scouts coming to camp at the farm
- CSA Program
- Event venue
Jan 28, 2021 | Staying on Top, Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem
Sneak Pique Recap
Pique rescheduled tentatively for Fall 2021
Welcome special guests from Converse College – Professor John Jeter’s “Build your brand” class
Creating a Safer Upstate Initiative – Stinson Ferguson introduced the initiative and invited interested parties to contact Justine Allen jallen@tenatthetop.org for more information.
Networking in a Digital Age presentation
Please see the chat stream and additional resources below:
From John Jeter to Everyone: My emails are john.jeter@converse.edu and gvlwriter@gmail.com. If y’all would be willing to share your emails, that would be cool.
From Jessica Miserendino to Everyone: Great Info Abby! When we host our in-person Pique, we plan to have a headshot booth set up to help enhance your LinkedIn profile!
From Sarah Butler to Everyone: If there are any USC Upstate Alumni in the house, here is how to get involved with Alumni Relations: https://www.uscupstate.edu/alumni/
From Sarah Butler to Everyone: Each college and university in Spartanburg has a Handshake account: https://app.joinhandshake.com/login
From John Jeter to Everyone: Career Services and Development on campus would be your “HR office.”
From Jordan Christian to Everyone: For my fellow Tigers: https://alumni.clemson.edu/get-involved/
From Dean Hybl to Everyone: As a supervisor, I think an employee has to be careful not to be so focused on creating their own personal brand that they seem less interested in supporting the work of the organization. I like the comment about personal reputation more than a personal brand.
From Sarah Butler to Everyone: Career Services at colleges and universities in Spartanburg:
Converse College – https://www.converse.edu/life-at-converse/career-planning/
Spartanburg Community College – https://www.sccsc.edu/services/career/index.php
Spartanburg Methodist College – https://www.smcsc.edu/resources/student-support-services/career-development/
USC Upstate – https://www.uscupstate.edu/academics/university-college/career-management/
Wofford College – https://www.wofford.edu/academics/career-center
From Dean Hybl to Everyone: Great points about relationship building. That can be critical in helping build your knowledge base and network.
From Sarah Butler to Everyone: Abby and Joey– I know you do heavy recruiting for ScanSource specifically, but how much have you reached out to job seekers using LinkedIn? What are things you like to see and what are things you could stand to never see again?
From Justine Allen-Ten at the Top to Everyone: Sometimes I pick up the phone instead of emailing, thoughts?
From Evan Carr to Everyone: Justine, I agree and do the same thing – for me it depends on timing and the content of my questions and requests. Sometimes also depends on how well I know that person and their preferences.
From John Jeter to Everyone: Making calls. Yes!
From Sarah Butler to Everyone: I can confirm and testify about the ScanSource Opportunities. There have been NUMEROUS times when my students have wanted to learn more about the company and the opportunities there. Abby, Joey, and their entire HR team have been extremely helpful in making those connections. I’ve had the same experience with a number of our upstate region companies. It just takes a call or email! They are very helpful and responsive.:)
From Jason Weidman to Everyone: Absolutely, Justine! I totally agree picking up the phone is the way to go. Quicker connections and results.
From Stinson Ferguson to Everyone: Avoid typos on your profile AND in your posts!From John Jeter to Everyone: What about adding blogs/stories on your LinkedIn site?
From Evan Carr to Everyone: And Volunteer work (aside from Boards/Committees)?
From John Jeter to Everyone: Love this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Ryan Gravely to Everyone: It’s been super informative! Thank you
From Brittney Scurry to Everyone: lunchclub
Upcoming Event and Resource Links:
Ten at the Top
Upstate Entrepreneur Ecosystem Workshop
Second Draw PPP – Feb. 4
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZclfumtrjMtG9LV-vlcN50lzMJ4wk8xgIpe
10:58:24 From Justine Allen-Ten at the Top to Everyone: TATT Chat – Feb. 18
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYofuuhqz8iHdUWk6BBTjyls0ucfffJBe1l
Upstate Mobility Alliance
How Transportation Creates Community Vibrancy – Feb. 23
http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ehj1saggde339e4f&llr=iwqthmdab
Upstate Professional Planners
Greenlink Presentation on Mobility – Feb. 24
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwsdO2sqTIsG9JfYtl93bKxL02FQgZqGX0d
Britton Rodgers: If you are in Anderson I would love to give you information on our Young Philanthropist Program! https://www.unitedwayofanderson.org/young-philanthropists
Brittney Scurry: LunchClub is a great way to network with people all over the country https://lunchclub.com/?invite_code=brittneys1
Sarah Butler: Spartanburg Young Professionals (SYP)
https://www.spartanburgyp.com/spartanburg-events/137/LeaderSYP+Mentorship+Program
Jessica Miserendino: If anyone is interested in joining the Pique planning committee, please reach out to Justine! We are looking for new members and would appreciate any input or feedback! jallen@tenatthetop.org
Natalie Jones: Anderson Rising, the premier Young Professionals group in Anderson County, has many exciting events coming up including Networking Lunches (virtual, of course), after hours, and professional development events. I am happy to answer any questions – njones@andersonscchamber.com
Jordan Campbell: If anyone in here is located in the Clemson Area, the Clemson Chamber is working to start a new Young Professionals group. If you are interested in the program and would like to be a part of the planning committee, please shoot me an email at Jordan.campbell@foundersfcu.com so that I can get you some information!
Emelie Hegarty: My email address is ehegarty@greenvillesc.gov if anyone is interested in more information on learning about how to turn an idea into a business; start-ups hiring in the Upstate; etc.
Britton Rodgers: Here is a little more info: I am happy to talk with you all further. I hope you will join us at United Way! As a Young Philanthropist, you can look forward to:
Serving our community through regular volunteer opportunities. Connecting with like-minded peers to expand your network and give back to our community.
Learning about our area’s most pressing challenges and the ways in which you can help address them through philanthropy and service. Developing your professional skills through regular development opportunities.
Please see 