Greenwood, S.C. – (October 11, 2024) –VisionGreenwood, a community-driven organization focused on making Greenwood a thriving place to live, work, and grow, announces the second Artificial Intelligence (AI) High School Art Competition. Originally introduced by Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC) as a unique creative challenge for local high school students, this year’s competition is open to students across South Carolina. 

With AI technology at the heart of this initiative, students in grades 9-12 are tasked with creating original works of art using Midjourney, a leading AI art-generation platform. Themed “Emotion of Code,” the competition allows students to explore new frontiers in artistic expression by blending technology and creativity. 

"AI has opened a new realm of possibilities for both innovation and creativity," said Kay Self, Executive Director of VisionGreenwood. "I can’t wait to see how these students interpret the theme and bring their vision to life using AI. Their work is a testament to how emerging technologies can fuel the imaginations of the next generation." 

Jennifer Smith, Gallery & Marketing Director at The Arts Center of Greenwood, shared her enthusiasm for the project, saying, "We’re thrilled to join forces with VisionGreenwood for this innovative competition. It’s a perfect way to inspire students to think outside the box, explore the possibilities of AI, and express their artistic voices in a new, tech-driven way." 

“VisionGreenwood wants to thank our presenting sponsor, Comcast, as well as Greenwood Capital and Associates and the Arts Center of Greenwood for their support of the event,” added Self. 

The deadline for entries is Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Click here for the detailed application form. 

Public Exhibition 

The AI-generated artwork created by South Carolina’s high school students will be on display at The Arts Center of Greenwood during a special public exhibition and reception on Saturday, October 19, in conjunction with the iMAGINE Lakelands STEAM Festival, which is designed to showcase PreK-12 education and career pathways in Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics.
 

The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with the reception beginning at noon, followed by the announcement of competition winners at 1:00 p.m. First, second, and third-place winners, along with the People’s Choice award, will receive cash prizes totaling $550. 

As a prelude to the event, starting Friday evening, October 18, the AI-generated artworks will be projected onto various locations throughout Uptown Greenwood, offering the community a captivating glimpse into the creative efforts of the students. 

"This competition gives our young people a unique platform to engage with cutting-edge technology in a way that’s both creative and meaningful,” Self remarked. "What excites me most is that this could be the start of something much bigger — something that extends beyond Greenwood and impacts the entire state, and maybe even the region." 

About The Lakelands Emerging Technology Council
With a focus on emerging technology and innovation, VisionGreenwood established the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC) to bring opportunities to the Lakelands region. Recognizing the relevance and pace of evolving technology, the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC) helps connect, advance, and advocate for technological advancements in the Lakelands region. 

Members of the LETC include: 

• Brandon Smith, Mayor of Greenwood and Chairman, VisionGreenwood
• Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood
• Charles Angel, President, Due West Robotics & Software Developer, Greenwood Genetic Center
• Les Brown, M.Ed., Director of Information Technology, Self Regional Healthcare
• Kevin Farren, Chief Information Officer, Greenwood Genetic Center
• Dennis Fassuliotis, South Carolina Blockchain, Inc.
• Abdallah Haddad, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Lander University
• Robert Matheson, Founder, NFT Museum, Newberry SC
• John R. McElligott, CEO, York Exponential
• Matt Wiggins, Dean – Workforce Innovation Division, Piedmont Technical College 

About Vision Greenwood
VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance's charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood's future, economic growth and development, and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org. 

Pictured Left to right (front row): Rick Green, Stephen Baggett, ShaDonte Butler, Carol Coleman, Brandon Smith and Thornwell Dunlap. Left to Right (back row): David Tompkins, Julia Brown, Kay Self, Jon Keagle, Jeff Meredith, Wells Dunlap, and Daniel Williams.

VisionGreenwood Brings Awareness, Facilitates Solutions for Attainable Housing

Greenwood, S.C. – (August 20, 2024) – VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood, S.C. the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, is addressing the need for attainable housing in the local community through a multifaceted, solutions-oriented approach – from identifying opportunities to developing partnerships and providing resources.

Attainable housing is an integral concept that acknowledges the pressing need to make homeownership and rental housing accessible to a broader spectrum of individuals and families. It goes beyond the traditional affordable housing model by focusing on creating housing options within the reach of working and middle-class populations. Attainable housing initiatives often involve partnerships between the public and private sectors, leveraging innovative financing models, reduced regulatory barriers and sustainable design practices.

“VisionGreenwood remains intentional about continuing to identify initiatives to advance Greenwood as a community of choice. Clearly, attainable and affordable housing is foundational for building a strong community. Providing accessible, quality housing near key employment centers is a critical component to sustaining and supporting local economic development,” said Kay Self, Executive Director of VisionGreenwood.

In May 2024, VisionGreenwood unveiled the comprehensive Westside Master Plan, a collaborative effort among city officials, planners, community stakeholders and residents to envision a vibrant and sustainable future for one of Greenwood's historic neighborhoods. The comprehensive plan preserves existing owner-occupied housing while introducing additional attainable housing options within this revitalized neighborhood, which is located near major employment centers in Greenwood’s innovation district, including the main campus of Self Regional Healthcare and Greenwood Genetic Center.

With the goal of replicating similar revitalization with attainable and affordable housing components in other parts of Greenwood, VisionGreenwood partnered with local leaders of Countybank, which has been supporting Greenwood and surrounding Upstate communities for more than 90 years and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), which offers affordable housing programs and community development initiatives.

On July 11, 2024, VisionGreenwood, together with Countybank and Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), facilitated a “summit,” themed “Collaborating to Address Greenwood’s Affordable Housing Needs” to identify new partnerships and funding opportunities for continued growth in Greenwood. Participants included representatives from city and county government, community agencies and business.

“We recognize housing is a critical need and vital to the health and the well-being of the families in our community. Countybank is proud to work with VisionGreenwood to create attainable housing solutions that serve our working and middle-class families,” said Thornwell Dunlap, CEO & President of Countybank.

VisionGreenwood kicked off the summit by presenting an overview of its current and ongoing community development initiatives, including the Westside Master Plan. FHLBank Atlanta followed with details on the affordable housing programs available through its member financial institutions (e.g., Countybank), including programs to support single family and multi-family initiatives. The summit wrapped up with an open group discussion about ways to leverage FHLBank Atlanta’s products and services to support the strategic objectives of Countybank and VisionGreenwood.

“Addressing today’s affordable housing needs requires like-minded organizations to come together, and that’s exactly what VisionGreenwood facilitated with this impactful summit,” said FHLBank Atlanta Community Investment Relationship Manager ShaDonte Butler. “We were proud to take part in the event and are pleased to offer grants through our member banks to support housing and economic development in communities like Greenwood.”

Attendees: Greenwood Affordable Housing Summit

• Stephen Baggett, Executive Director, Greenwood Community Home Repair

• Brandon Smith, Mayor of the City of Greenwood, SC

• Rick Green, Government Services Director, Upper Savannah Council of Governments

• Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood

• Carol Coleman, Planning Director, Greenwood City & County

• Blake Sanders, President, Studio Main LLC

• Jeff Meredith, General Manager, Greenwood Commissioners of Public Works

• Thornwell Dunlap, President and Chief Executive Officer, Countybank

• Wells Dunlap, Senior Operations Officer, Countybank

• David Tompkins, Commercial Banking Manager, Countybank

• ShaDonte Butler, Senior Affordable Housing Program Relationship Manager, FHLBank Atlanta

• Jon Keagle, Manager of Community Financial Institutions, FHLBank Atlanta

• Daniel Williams, Senior Relationship Manager, FHLBank Atlanta

• Julia Brown, Multifamily Portfolio Manager, FHLBank Atlanta

Affordable Housing

The term “affordable housing” in this context refers to housing that does not exceed one third of the income of households earning less than 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Greenwood’s AMI was $47,052 in 2022.

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About VisionGreenwood

VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20-plus years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance's charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood's future, economic growth and development and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

VisionGreenwood Announces Unveiling of the Westside Master Plan

Greenwood, SC – (May 10, 2024) - VisionGreenwood is pleased to announce the unveiling of the Westside Master Plan, a comprehensive planning initiative aimed at revitalizing and enhancing Greenwood’s Westside neighborhood.

The Westside Master Plan represents a collaborative effort between city officials, planners, community stakeholders and residents to envision a vibrant and sustainable future for one of Greenwood's historic neighborhoods. Through extensive research, community engagement and strategic planning, the Master Plan sets forth a blueprint for transformative change that respects the area's heritage while embracing opportunities for growth and progress.

Key components of the Westside Master Plan include:

1. Preserve Owner-Occupied Housing: The plan will focus on preserving existing and introducing additional owner-occupied housing within the Westside neighborhood. By implementing policies and initiatives that protect homeownership and support attainable housing options, the plan aims to maintain the area's distinct identity and foster a strong sense of community among residents.

2. Create Attainable, Sensitive Infill Housing: The plan will pursue the creation of sensitive and inclusive infill housing where appropriate. The goal is to provide alternatives for residents of the Westside neighborhood, while providing options for new residents who desire to live in a vibrant neighborhood close to major employment centers in Greenwood.

3. Introduce Public Amenities for Better Connections: The plan will introduce an array of public amenities and improvements in the Westside neighborhood. By enhancing the accessibility and connectivity of the area through the creation of parks, green spaces, walkways and public gathering spots, the plan aims to foster better connections among residents and their surroundings.

4. Develop an Early Learning Center Through Community Partnerships: Recognizing the acute need for childcare and early education in Greenwood, the plan for the Westside neighborhood will explore an early learning center that will offer a range of early childhood programs, including preschool, pre-kindergarten, and parent-child engagement initiatives.

5. Examine Small-Scale Commercial for Neighborhood Entrepreneurship: The plan will thoroughly examine and assess the potential for small-scale commercial ventures within the Westside neighborhood. The development of these commercial spaces will offer convenient services and products to residents, reducing the need to travel outside the neighborhood and promoting entrepreneurship among residents.

Mayor Brandon Smith expressed his enthusiasm for the Westside Master Plan, stating, "This is an exciting moment for Greenwood as we embark on a journey to revitalize and reimagine the Westside neighborhood. The Master Plan represents our shared vision for a vibrant, inclusive and sustainable community where residents can live, work and thrive. I want to thank everyone who contributed their time, expertise and passion to this important initiative, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our city for generations to come."

To learn more , click HERE

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About Vision Greenwood

VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance’s charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood’s future, economic growth and development and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

Greenwood, S.C. – (March 29, 2023) – VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood, S.C. the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, is funding a hands-on learning experience for high school students in the Building Construction program at the G. Frank Russell Technology Center (RTC), which services all three public school districts in Greenwood County. VisionGreenwood’s Executive Director, Kay Self, joined by the non-profit’s Board of Directors, recently had the opportunity to tour the inaugural “Tiny House” project-in-progress at RTC. VisionGreenwood donated $25,000 to launch RTC’s Tiny House program.

GREENWOOD, S.C. - Lander University today announced that the University has received a grant of $25,000 from VisionGreenwood to provide scholarship opportunities that will help Greenwood County residents finish their baccalaureate education.

At the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year, Lander University identified a number of “stop-out” students residing in Greenwood County.  A “stop-out” is defined as a student who is in good academic standing with the University, but has decided to discontinue their education for a period of time, usually for financial reasons. Lander immediately began reaching out to these students in efforts to re-enroll them, while VisionGreenwood pledged $25,000 to help lessen the financial burden.

"I cannot think of a more rewarding way to bring value to Greenwood County than by giving local individuals the opportunity to return to Lander University to complete their degrees,” said Kay Self, executive director for VisionGreenwood.

The mission of VisionGreenwood is centered on making Greenwood the best community in which to live, work and raise a family. To accomplish this, the organization provides leadership to enhance the quality of life in Greenwood through strategic long-term vision and collaborative community development initiatives, according to its website.

“Helping students prepare to enter our workforce sooner, rather than later, clearly makes a meaningful impact in our community – especially when they are prepared to fill workforce gaps in critical areas such as nursing and teaching,” Self added. “VisionGreenwood is proud to be associated with such educational initiatives and will continue to make this type of support a priority," she said.

“We’re grateful that this money can go right back into our community to help local students,” said Greenwood Mayor Brandon Smith, who also serves as chair of the VisionGreenwood Board of Directors. “We’re excited about allowing them to complete their degrees, to get ahead in their workforce journey, and get that diploma.”

Some of the stop-out students identified were only a few courses shy of finishing their degree program, according to Dr. Todd Gambill, vice president for Enrollment and Access Management at Lander.

“This additional support from VisionGreenwood will give these students the financial boost they need to complete their coursework and earn their degree.”

About Lander University

Founded in 1872, Lander University is a public, co-educational teaching institution that serves approximately 4,100 students. Located in Greenwood, South Carolina, the University offers more than 90 areas of study in the liberal arts and sciences, with professional programs in STEM, education, business and nursing. To learn more about Lander, visit www.lander.edu.

About Vision Greenwood

VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood’s future, its economic growth and development, and its quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

Greenwood, S.C. – (October 28, 2022) – VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, has partnered with The Arts Center of Greenwood to present the world’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) High School Art Competition. The Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC), a technology savvy group of local leaders brought together by VisionGreenwood earlier this year, has been instrumental in bringing this one-of-a-kind opportunity to Greenwood County’s youth.

The competition’s entries are original works of art created by students who utilized the Midjourney artificial intelligence art-generation technology platform. Themed “Imagine Greenwood,” the competition was open to all high school students across Greenwood County’s three school districts as well as private schools.

“There is no question that technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics are now impacting every facet of our lives. What makes AI art so fascinating is that it is created by one’s own imagination and by using very descriptive text prompts to direct the AI to create the artwork,” said Kay Self, Executive Director of VisionGreenwood. “I am looking forward to seeing how our local students utilized AI art-generation technology, fueled by their imaginations, to envision the future of Greenwood.”

John R. McElligott, CEO of York Exponential, a robotics and artificial intelligence company, and a member of the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council, has firsthand experience with this specific type of AI technology. In fact, he recently used it to illustrate a children’s book that garnered national attention.

In a recent interview with the Index-Journal, McElligott noted that new ways to use artificial intelligence and robotics will emerge as the technology advances – especially as these fields move toward computer science capabilities that allow people to communicate with AI in the same way they would talk to someone versus complex computer coding.

“You don’t have to be a coder or Ph.D. to leverage this technology,” McElligott told the Index-Journal. “The fact that Greenwood students will be among the first in the nation to do this is a really big deal. You can communicate with this AI on a laptop, or even a smartphone.”

Jennifer Smith, Gallery & Marketing Director for The Arts Center of Greenwood noted, “We are thrilled to partner with VisionGreenwood on this cutting-edge project encouraging students to embrace the potential of new technologies, explore diverse opportunities for creativity and play an active role in expanding the sphere of visual language.”

The AI-generated artwork created by Greenwood-area high schoolers will be on display at The Arts Center of Greenwood during an open-to-the-public exhibition and reception from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday evening, November 3. Following a brief educational presentation by John McElligott at 6:45 p.m., first-, second- and third-place winners, along with a People’s Choice award, will be revealed. Cash prizes totaling $550 will be presented to the winners. The AI-generated printed artwork will remain on display for public viewing and school tours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday, November 4.

Beginning Sunday night, October 30, and each evening leading up to Thursday night’s reception, images of the entries will be digitally projected in Uptown Greenwood, giving the community a sneak preview of these uniquely created pieces of art.

“This AI Art Competition has given our students a way to learn about new technologies while engaging in a once-in-a lifetime experience. I am extremely proud of how quickly Greenwood’s students adopted this emerging technology. It’s so exciting to watch these young people make history by literally paving the way for other students across the country,” said VisionGreenwood’s Self. “Based on the interest and enthusiasm this inaugural competition has sparked locally, there’s definitely potential for this to become a broader initiative – possibly a statewide or regional competition.”

About The Lakelands Emerging Technology Council
With a focus on emerging technology and innovation, VisionGreenwood established the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC) to bring opportunities to the Lakelands region. Recognizing the relevance and pace of evolving technology, the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC) helps connect, advance, and advocate for technology advancements in the Lakelands region.

Members of the LETC include:

• Brandon Smith, Mayor of Greenwood and Chairman, VisionGreenwood
• Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood
• Charles Angel, President, Due West Robotics & Software Developer for Greenwood Genetic Center
• Les Brown, M.Ed., Director of Information Technology, Self Regional Healthcare
• Dennis Fassuliotis, South Carolina Blockchain, Inc.
• Abdallah Haddad, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Lander University
• John R. McElligott, CEO, York Exponential
• Matt Wiggins, Dean – Workforce Innovation Division, Piedmont Technical College

About Vision Greenwood
VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance's charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood's future, economic growth and development, and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

Greenwood, S.C. -  VisionGreenwood, an established community partner dedicated to making Greenwood the best place in which to live, work and raise a family, announces the establishment of the Lakelands Emerging Technology Council (LETC). Comprised of a technology savvy group of local leaders, the LETC will provide guidance and expertise for addressing the emerging, evolving, and exponential technologies that will bring opportunities to the Lakelands region.

The mission of the LETC is to drive technological initiatives that will allow the Lakelands region to thrive in an uncertain and rapidly changing future. Additionally, the LETC believes that every industry must embrace new and emerging technologies to support a prosperous Lakelands community. The LETC unites the region's leaders and empowers businesses, stakeholders, entrepreneurs and community members to achieve the future vision and strategic goals of the region.

"Recognizing that technology is ever-changing, the newly established Lakelands Emerging Technology Council will help connect, advise and advocate for technological advancements in the Lakelands region. This will be especially beneficial to our rural communities as we lay the framework for future success,” said Kay Self, Executive Director for VisionGreenwood.

The Lakelands Emerging Technology Council, which has already met twice, will continue to collaborate on a regular basis. LETC members include:

• Brandon Smith, Mayor of Greenwood and Chairman, VisionGreenwood
• Kay Self, Executive Director, VisionGreenwood
• Charles Angel, President, Due West Robotics & Software Developer for Greenwood Genetic Center
• Les Brown, M.Ed., Director of Information Technology, Self Regional Healthcare
• Dennis Fassuliotis, South Carolina Blockchain, Inc.
• Abdallah Haddad, Chief Information & Technology Officer, Lander University
• John R. McElligott, CEO, York Exponential
• Matt Wiggins, Dean – Workforce Innovation Division, Piedmont Technical College

About Vision Greenwood
VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with deep roots in the Greenwood community. Throughout the past 20 years, VisionGreenwood (formerly known as the Foundation for a Greater Greenwood County, Inc.) has invested over $2.9 million into the community by supporting collaborative community development initiatives that provide economic prosperity and enhance the growth and success of Greenwood. The Foundation was originally created to support the former Greenwood Partnership Alliance's charitable operations with a focus on community and workforce development. The Foundation became a stand-alone organization in 2020 and was rebranded as VisionGreenwood in 2021. By intent and design, VisionGreenwood continues to be a community partner that is focused on Greenwood's future, economic growth and development, and quality of life. Learn more at www.visiongreenwood.org.

Photo caption:
Front Row (L to R): Dennis Fassuliotis, Kay Self, Les Brown, John McElligott, and Abdallah Haddad.
Back Row: Brandon Smith, Charles Angel and Matt Wiggins.