Greenville County Council adopts budgets with $2 million for greenspace funding
July 21, 2021
This evening, Greenville County Council showed their commitment to conservation by committing $2 million over the next two years to the Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust—a program unanimously adopted by County Council with the goal of permanently protecting Greenville’s natural and historic assets for residents, visitors, and future generations.
Council unanimously adopted the FY2022-2023 budget with $1 million included for the Trust and reconsidered and passed the FY2021-2022 budget with an additional $1 million Trust commitment.
“I am pleased that Greenville County Council changed course tonight and made the wise decision to protect our community’s future by funding the Historic and Natural Resources Trust,” says Minor Shaw, honorary co-chair of the Greenville for Greenspace coalition—a united group of businesses, organizations, agencies and community leaders who support green space protection in Greenville. “We look forward to working together to build on this initial investment in Greenville’s natural areas, farms, forests, and historic sites so that everyone can benefit.”
The Greenville County Historic and Natural Resources Trust is a county program overseen by a 12-member council-appointed, volunteer Board and serves as a funding resource for eligible local landowners, agencies, governments, and nonprofits to protect land and historic resources in Greenville County. Greenville County joins Oconee, Beaufort, and Charleston counties in committing to protecting critical places with county programs.
“Tonight’s vote is a huge win for current and future Greenville residents,” says Andrea Cooper, executive director of Upstate Forever. “As one of many organizations that supported this initiative, Upstate Forever is thrilled that the HNRT has received funding in the new budget. We are grateful to Councilors Norris and Ballard for their leadership in proposing another vote, and to all of the council members who listened to the community and voted to support this popular program. Funding programs like the HNRT offer a great return on investment and are critical to protect what we love about living and doing business in Greenville.”
Council voted to unanimously to adopt both funding amendments signaling a firm commitment to green space protection—a priority outlined in the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan.
