Developers, business leaders and utility providers invited to participate in focus groups on growth
September 13, 2016
‘Shaping Our Future’ focus groups to be held at Greer City Hall in late September.
The Shaping Our Future Consortium – a partnership of Upstate Forever, Ten at the Top and Furman’s Riley Institute – is hosting four public focus groups at Greer City Hall (301 E. Poinsett St, Greer, SC 29651) in late September to provide input regarding a Growth Alternatives Analysis for the Upstate region. Focus groups will summarize and evaluate market forces, development policies, available infrastructure and political viewpoints in the Upstate and gauge their influence for promoting preferred development types, locations, patterns or intensities in the future.
Times and dates for the focus groups are:
- Mon 9/19 @ 1 pm:Utility Providers
- Tues 9/20 @ 9 am:Commercial Development and Business Creation, Expansion & Retention
- Tues 9/20 @ 1 pm:Industrial Development
- Wed 9/21 @ 9 am:Residential Development and the Lending Community
All meetings will be approximately three hours. Registration is required. To register, contact Lisa Hallo at [email protected] or visit www.upstateforever.org/shaping-our-future-community-engagement.
The Growth Alternatives Analysis will provide an opportunity to explore and debate alternative regional visions for growth, bearing in mind their associated fiscal, environmental and quality of life trade-offs. The analysis will build on previous community engagement efforts including the Upstate Reality Check and Upstate Shared Growth Vision, which together collected feedback from more than 15,000 Upstate residents. The study is being conducted by an award-winning consultant team led by the Charlotte-based firm City Explained in conjunction with Asheville-based Urban3 and Stantec.
A diverse steering committee representing the economic development and business community; utility and transportation providers; elected officials; local farmers; and the public health and nonprofit sectors will guide the effort. Learn more at www.ShapingOurFutureUpstateSC.org.
The Shaping Our Future initiative is being made possible by the generous contributions of Hollingsworth Funds, Ten at the Top, Furman’s Riley Institute, the Greater Greenville Association of Realtors, and New Belgium Brewery. Thanks also to the City of Greer who is sponsoring our Focus Group Series.
