TCMU Gains Momentum for State Funding
June 18, 2014
GREENVILLE, SC – The Children’s Museum of the Upstate was delighted to receive overwhelming support of the House of Representatives with a 91-20 vote to override Governor Haley’s veto of $150,000 in non-recurring funds to support this world-class educational treasure located in the Upstate of South Carolina.
The next step is the Senate who will reconvene for their vote tomorrow.
“There will always be a debate about how to spend our limited state resources,” said Nancy Halverson, President /CEO of the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, “but the wisest investment we can make is in our children.”
As the 7th largest children’s museum in the country and the only children’s museum to be a Smithsonian Affiliate, funding is crucial for the Children’s Museum of the Upstate to continue to offer state-of-the-art exhibits, award-winning STEM programming and educator support through its Smithsonian affiliation. The requested funds would also support marketing efforts promoting the museum as a destination for tourism and proven catalyst for economic impact. Currently the museum budget reflects less than 1% of public funding.
In order to fulfill their mission to spark a lifelong passion for curiosity and learning through play, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate has welcomed over 800,000 visitors from all 50 states and 16 countries since opening its doors to the public in 2009.
Recently recognized as an institution of “Promising Practice, ” by the international Association of Children’s Museums, The Children’s Museum of the Upstate has exceeded all expectations in its 5 years serving our community. However, in order to maximize opportunities with their many partners, including the Smithsonian, the museum will need financial support beyond what can be achieved through earned revenue.
Halverson added, “Governor Haley has done a remarkable job attracting new companies to South Carolina, but it is the exceptional quality of life that will keep businesses here. In order to sustain economic development we must support efforts that engage our community with rich cultural and educational opportunities. At the Children’s Museum of the Upstate, we take seriously our responsibility to help nurture and develop South Carolina’s next generation of innovative leaders and entrepreneurs – and to do that, we need financial support.”
To identify and contact your representative in support of the museum, please visit: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php
