Green Space & Trail Connections

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Green Spaces & Trail Connections

New research strengthens the idea that green spaces boost longevity, and green space in a community enhances the well-being and public health of our residents.

Expanding Green Spaces

VisionGreenwood is partnering with the City of Greenwood to identify and expand  green spaces in Uptown Greenwood. According to Medical News today, studies show that  green spaces reduce stress and boost mental and physical health.

Green spaces are also associated with better air quality, reduced traffic noise, cooler temperatures, and greater diversity.

Property Option Agreements

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Companies looking to relocate to an area have the #1 goal to maximize the return on their investment with the least risk.

Having properties with agreements in place that lock in price and specifications, reduces any conflicts with purchasing the property. VisionGreenwood continues to market the option agreements on many properties suitable for development in Greenwood. This marketing helps highlight the Greenwood community for future opportunities and growth.

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Medical Innovation District

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Medical Innovation District

Less than one mile from Uptown, Self Regional Healthcare’s main campus serves as the hub for medical services for the Lakelands region. The area includes roughly seven full blocks in the central portion of Greenwood and is truly a medical district for the region.

The Edgefield Street Corridor

The Edgefield Street corridor area represents perhaps the most significant connection among Greenwood’s key assets and a singular opportunity to link them more closely. VisionGreenwood in collaboration with the City of Greenwood and community partners will continue to preserve and enhance this neighborhood while fostering the connections that will continue to make Greenwood an innovator in revitalization.

Connecting Us

Many strong assets remain in the district and the potential for the Edgefield and South Main corridors to connect Uptown with Greenwood’s medical district and research park are significant opportunity.

Community Education

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Community Education

VisionGreenwood is partnering with Lander University and the G. Frank Russell Technology Center (RTC) to enhance workforce and community development in our area.

In partnership with Lander University, VisionGreenwood will establish gap funding to enable students with 90 credit hours or more to complete their degree.

In partnership with the RTC, VisionGreenwood will support the creation of a tiny house project as part of an existing building construction program.

The goal is to provide students with hands-on training to help develop skill-based workers. This long-term successful program will then serve to feed and sustain much needed trade-based jobs in our community.

Lander University Scholarship Program

VisionGreenwood is partnering with Lander University to establish scholarships to ensure more affordable access to higher education for Greenwood County residents who are eager to finish their education goals.

This program, A Pathway to Advancement, will be particularly beneficial for stop-outs, which are students in good academic standing who decide to discontinue their education for financial reasons. Many stop-outs are only a few courses shy of finishing their program. A Pathway to Advancement will help these students complete the remaining hours of coursework needed to earn their degree.

Statistics 

  • 25% - Greenwood County residents reported to have a bachelor’s degree or higher
  • 3,500 – Number of Lander University alumni who reside in Greenwood County
  • 57 – Number of stop-outs living in Greenwood County that Lander University has identified

RTC’s Building Construction Program and Tiny House Project

Supporting workforce education is vital to the growth and success of Greenwood. Trade-based jobs offer students work that pays well and is in demand without them acquiring college debt.

VisionGreenwood is partnering with RTC to propose a hands-on training program in which students have the opportunity to build a tiny house. This will help generate interest in the trade, develop much needed trade workers, and create a long-term successful program to sustain trade-based jobs. The initial tiny house will then be actioned off to create a recurring fund stream for the next decade of construction training.

G. Frank Russell Technology Center, Building Construction Program

What is the G. Frank Russell Technology Center?

The G. Frank Russell Technology Center (RTC) is preparing students to be career and life ready by getting them actively involved in obtaining career and technical skills. The RTC covers a variety of educational areas, including automotive, biomedical science, building construction, computer programing, cosmetology, culinary arts, early childhood education, finance/accounting, health science, manufacturing, and engineering.

What is the current problem facing Greenwood?

Greenwood has many talented trade workers that provide service to our local residents and businesses. Unfortunately, many of these skilled individuals are nearing retirement, and few students are stepping into these essential roles.

Skill-based trades such as carpentry, masonry, and electrical work are essential for our community. VisionGreenwood is focused on generating more interest in RTC’s building construction classes and increasing student attendance.

 

Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building

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Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Building

Entrepreneurism is the cornerstone of any thriving community that promotes job growth, increases the tax base, and reinvests into the individual lives of citizens by improving the overall quality of life. 

Most importantly, an area conducive to entrepreneurial success attracts and retains people in a respective area. Simply put, great ideas will lead to new products and, if presented with the right resources, will have the opportunity to flourish.

Realizing that a concerted effort to sustain new business ideas with community feedback led VisionGreenwood to explore programs successfully being implemented throughout the state. VisionGreenwood is proud to launch Greenwood’s chapter of “The Brew” in collaboration with Uptown Greenwood and the Greenwood Area Small Business Center. We are pleased to be a part of the Regional Brew Program that successfully brings economic successes to communities in Anderson, Greenville, Spartanburg, and Greer.

The Brew Program

Business ideas with community feedback

Program Overview


The program begins with a 6-10-minute presentation from a local entrepreneur. The presentation features an overview of their business, why they started their business, and where they want to see it grow in the future. For startup businesses, the presentation features their background, business idea, and plans for opening in the future.

The presentation ends with 3-4 questions for the audience. The questions can be related to a particular challenge they are facing or general matters that will help them accomplish their business goals. The audience then uses the time remaining for Q&A, and feedback to help and support the presenting entrepreneur.

The Brew also provides special edition sessions throughout the year that feature expert speakers to discuss various hot topics in business. Examples include social media marketing, financial planning, local business resources, and business plan writing.

The program’s implementation strategy may be tailored to meet the needs of your community. However, we have found the following recommendations to be a proven methodology for accomplishing the mission of The Brew.

 

Sign up to be a Presenter

If you would be interested in presenting at a Brew event, please contact Kay Self

Program Guidelines

  • Presenter must be a for-profit business
  • Presenter cannot use the program as a sales pitch platform
  • Presentation should stay within a 6–10-minute time period
  • Time remaining should be designated for Q&A, and audience feedback
  • Program is free admission and open to the public

 

The Brew Communities

Anderson

Greenville

Greenwood

Greer

Spartanburg

Community & City Retail Recruitment

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Community & City Retail Recruitment

VisionGreenwood recognizes the importance of our community and the continued growth and vibrancy of Uptown Greenwood. This is why we have several community enhancement plans in development.

Retail Development

VisionGreenwood has a long-standing history of reinvesting in the Greenwood community. We will enhance Uptown Greenwood by:

  • Developing alliances
  • Renewing plans
  • Focusing on key opportunities

Our goal is to identify projects that have a positive impact on our community and its residents.

Buxton Retail Study

VisionGreenwood funded the Buxton Retail Study in 2019 as a means to support retail development in Greenwood. We will continue to partner with the City of Greenwood to make this plan a reality. The study identified 20 new businesses that were a match for Uptown Greenwood and the surrounding areas.

As we move forward with the Buxton Retail Study, we will continue to collaborate with the City of Greenwood on an available building inventory in Uptown Greenwood.

Community Development

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Community Development

Quality of Life continues to be the cornerstone of VisionGreenwood’s plan of work.

VisionGreenwood will continue to support development of our communities and neighborhoods that provide entertainment, shopping, quality health care, and world class education as well as employment in order to attract and retain both young professionals and retirees.

Retail

Mixed-use development needs to capture the current re-development of Uptown Greenwood. VisionGreenwood will support and invest in our community that provide entertainment as well as employment in order to attract young professionals.

Edgefield Corridor

Continue support of the City Center Master Plan and the connection from Uptown Greenwood to Self Regional Healthcare and Lander campuses including revitalization of inner city neighborhoods.

Life Sciences & Biotechnology

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Life Sciences & Biotechnology

Greenwood, South Carolina is home to world-class companies and research partnerships that are revolutionizing the life science industry on a global scale. From the manufacturing of innovative dosage forms for the biopharmaceutical, consumer health, and nutrition industries, to leading-edge breakthroughs in autism research at the Greenwood Genetic Center – our industries continue to shape the future of the life science.

"A clear diagnosis combined with understanding the mechanisms of disease are what lead to effective therapies and improved quality of life for patients and their families. Put simply, the partnership between the Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson Center for Human Genetics will hasten the pace of progress and enhance the recognition of South Carolina as home to one of the nation’s most productive and important facilities for genetics research and development."

Dr. Steven A. Skinner
Director & Senior Clinical Geneticist, Greenwood Genetic Center

Existing Companies

Greenwood Genetic Center: The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC), founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization advancing the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects. At its home campus in Greenwood, South Carolina, a talented team of physicians and scientists provides clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing, educational programs and resources, and research in the field of medical genetics. GGC’s faculty and staff are committed to the goal of developing preventive and curative therapies for the individuals and families they serve.

The Clemson Center for Human Genetics opened in 2018 on a 15 acre site within the Greenwood Genetic Center Partnership Campus. This 17,000 square-foot research and education facility enhanced the collaborative efforts of the Greenwood Genetic Center and Clemson University and attracted world-renown faculty to Greenwood’s life sciences industry.

The Greenwood Genetic Center is one of the greatest strengths and most unique assets in our community.

VisionGreenwood is a Board member of the South Carolina Biotechnology Industry Organization and we maintain a close relationship with the Life Science Industry to identify opportunities for the Greenwood Genetic Center and our community.

 

Greenwood Genetic Center Partnership Campus: 190-acre research park, equipped with some of the best data infrastructure in the state and home to over 150 medical and life science professionals. Current collaborative partners include the Greenwood Genetic Center and the Clemson University Center for Human Genetics.

 

Lonza: Lonza produces 200 billion hard capsules and approximately 3 billion finished dosage units a year for more than 4,000 customers in over 100 countries. If you take any prescription or over-the-counter medication that comes in a capsule, there is a 90% chance the capsule was made in Greenwood, SC.

 

 

 

Clemson Center for Human Genetics:  Clemson’s Center for Human Genetics opened in 2018 and is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the fundamental principles by which genetic and environmental factors determine and predict both healthy traits and susceptibility to disease. The Center boasts a world-class faculty focused on understanding complex traits and diseases through experimental and computational biology.

The Center for Human Genetics, which is part of the College of Science, is housed in Self Regional Hall, a 17,000-square-foot building nestled within the sprawling campus of the Greenwood Genetic Center, which has a long history of clinical and research excellence in the field of medical genetics and caring for families impacted by genetic disease and birth defects.

 

Cardinal Health: Cardinal Health is a global healthcare solutions company committed to improving the lives of people through our medical technologies, services, and solutions.

 

Piedmont CMG: Piedmont CMG partners with Medical Analytical and Diagnostic Instrument manufacturers providing contract manufacturing services which include precision machined plastic components, optically clear diffusion bonded multilayered manifolds, tubing assemblies, tubing bundles, cap assemblies, and value added services.

 

SCBIO is a statewide, not-for-profit, public/private life sciences industry association and economic development organization formed to actively promote, build, support, expand, and convene South Carolina’s life sciences industry.

SCBIO builds relationships among life science companies and other allied groups, including government agencies and service industries, to create more significant business opportunities and bottom-line growth.

SCBIO fosters a favorable business environment for start-up and existing life science companies in South Carolina by advocating for innovation-friendly policies and infrastructure that support the industry’s growth.

Learn more

Technology & Innovation

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https://scruralinnovation.org/community/greenwood-county/

Technology & Innovation

Closing the Gap

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Broadband Speed Test

Technology innovation is one key area of focus for VisionGreenwood. Closing the gap on digital infrastructure by providing high-speed internet to underserved communities remains a priority that our community cannot afford to fall behind in an ever-changing global economy.

By ensuring every Greenwood resident and business has broadband access, we set up our community for success.

Broadband

What is broadband?

  • Broadband provides high-speed internet access.
  • Broadband is more reliable and is faster than dial-up internet access.

Why is broadband an area of focus for VisionGreenwood?

Broadband is one technology innovation that will allow us to keep our community connected. Several areas in our community exist where the internet is unreliable and broadband connectivity is not available. VisionGreewood’s goal is to identify these areas and bridge the broadband gap in our community. In addition to supporting business growth, community development, and education, bringing broadband to all corners of Greenwood will lay the groundwork for our community’s future success.

How does broadband impact our community?

  • Education: Allow K-12, college, and post-graduate students to learn remotely in virtual classrooms
  • Employment: Provide employers the ability to allow employees to telecommute or work remotely.
  • Healthcare: Allow doctors and patients to connect virtually through Telehealth.
  • Local Economic Impact: Allow small local businesses to more easily reach their customers and provide e-commerce options.
  • Public Safety and Emergency Response: Allow safety personnel and first responders the ability to communicate as needed in a timely manner.

Fun Facts About Broadband

Research indicates that access to broadband could improve job growth for rural communities by up to 1.4 percent and also increase the number of businesses within a rural community by 1.2 percent.

Rural small businesses increased gross sales by 17.2% through digital technology during the previous three years. This reflects $69.8 billion annually, according to the U.S. Chamber Technology Engagement Center and Ipsos.

Broadband Task Force

What are the responsibilities of the broadband task force?

The task force is working on a solution that will bring broadband connectivity to all areas of Greenwood.

  • The task force is working to acquire both federal and state resources that will allow us to meet this goal.
  • The task force is working toward this goal alongside the South Carolina Department of Regulatory Office and various community partnerships.

Broadband Task Force Members

  • South Carolina State Senator Billy Garrett, Chairman

Over 23 leaders from city and county government, The Upper Savannah Council of Governments, state legislators, network & utility providers, higher educational institutions, healthcare representatives, industry leaders, and school administrators make up the VisionGreenwood Broadband Task Force.

 

Technology Action Plan

  • The broadband task force is in the process of acquiring funding for a broadband assessment plan. This will be an essential first step in determining the best approach to providing the most reliable and cost-effective way to expand broadband connectivity in Greenwood currently.
  • The broadband task force is also developing a technology action plan that will include all aspects of technology for the future, including 5G, Satellite, and cybersecurity for the community. A solid approach to cybersecurity will help protect our residents and local businesses from digital attacks, allowing us to maintain normal business operations and continued economic prosperity.