Downtown Revitalization: A Collaborative Process
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Release Date: 11/19/2024
Cities, Towns, Places, and ZIP Codes: Decoding Greenville County's Hidden Boundaries
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Your mailbox says "Taylors," your neighbors call it "Greenville," and your GPS has its own opinion entirely. Behind this geographical identity crisis lies a system that determines your tax bill, your services, and whether you can vote in this year's municipal elections. Join Katy and Nathaniel as they decode the invisible boundaries that shape daily life in Greenville County - revealing why Taylors isn't legally a town, why a Greenville address doesn’t mean you get a Greenville city vote, and how these distinctions impact where your tax dollars go. Whether you've lived here for decades or...
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Canvas to Career: The Fine Arts Center Turns 50
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Celebrating 50 years of excellence, Greenville County Schools Fine Arts Center has generated millions in scholarship offers for its students - yet Director Vee Popat measures success by how each young artist develops as a whole person, whether they become Broadway performers or scientists with creative thinking skills. Step inside this nationally-recognized creative ecosystem where architecture students tackle homelessness solutions and teenagers master professional mindsets alongside their artistic crafts. Links: The Fine Arts Center website: Previous episode on Roper Mountain Science...
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Eviction's Permanent Tattoo: Healing Greenville's Hidden Crisis
Simple Civics: Greenville County
In Greenville County, an eviction filing follows you for life like a permanent tattoo - even if you win your case. With 20% of local renters facing eviction (compared to just 8% nationally), this crisis isn't just creating homelessness; it's costing landlords up to $5,000 per case and driving up housing costs for everyone. Experts Tina Belge and Mario Brown reveal why property owners and tenant advocates have surprisingly united around four key reforms that could transform evictions from "a cause of poverty" into an opportunity for community prosperity. The solutions are ready - but is...
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Small Town, Big Impact: Female Leadership in Travelers Rest
Simple Civics: Greenville County
In a small town where Burger King's arrival was once celebrated as progress, Travelers Rest now stands as a remarkable anomaly in American governance - with women holding the positions of mayor, city administrator, and majority of the city council. How did this Greenville County community not only transform itself from a "pass-through town" to a coveted destination, but also defy national trends in which women hold just over 20% of chief local government positions? Mayor Brandy Amidon (who began her political journey at age 27) and City Administrator Shannon Herman reveal the surprising role...
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Home Economics: Why Our Housing Market is Out of Reach and What We can Do About It
Simple Civics: Greenville County
When your favorite barista, your child's teacher, and the firefighter who protects your home can no longer afford to live in your community - what kind of place will Greenville County become? Bryan Brown and Amber Stewart from Greenville Housing Fund reveal the surprising reality that 80% of our workforce earns below the area's median income, making housing increasingly out of reach. They dismantle common misconceptions about "affordable housing" while explaining how innovative tax incentives and thoughtful density planning are already transforming neighborhoods. Beyond policy talk, this...
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Inside SCTAC: Greenville's $6.1 Billion Economic Powerhouse
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Did you know that just minutes from downtown Greenville, there's a business park that's driving our region's economy forward? In this episode, we sit down with Jody Bryson, the President and CEO of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC), to learn how this unique organization has become a magnet for top companies and high-paying jobs. Discover the fascinating history behind SCTAC, its $6.1 billion economic impact, and the exciting projects on the horizon, including a state-of-the-art automotive test track. Whether you're a business leader, a job seeker, or simply curious...
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Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: A Simple Explanation
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Are you curious about ranked-choice voting and what it could mean for our elections? In this episode, election law expert Michael Dimino breaks down the basics of this intriguing alternative to our current system. You'll learn how ranked-choice voting works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how it's being used in some states and countries. Whether you're a political junkie or just looking to make sense of our electoral process, this episode offers valuable insights in an approachable way. Tune in and join the conversation! Links: Michael Dimino Bio: _ Produced by Simple...
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Partisan Voter Registration: What Would It Mean in South Carolina
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Get a clear, nonpartisan explanation of South Carolina's primary election system and proposals to change it. Links: Michael Dimino Bio: _ Produced by Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of .
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Understanding Proposals to Change South Carolina Primaries
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Big changes could be coming to South Carolina's primary voting system and the way you register to vote. Learn about the five new bills that could impact how SC residents vote in primaries, including closed primary proposals and ranked-choice voting options. Today we break down the proposed changes to SC's primary voting system. This episode explores how these proposals compare to other states' systems and what they could mean for SC voters. Links: Bills: National Conference of State Legislatures primary elections types: _ Produced by Simple Civics: Greenville County is...
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Understanding Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements in South Carolina
Simple Civics: Greenville County
Thinking of running for office or helping on a campaign in South Carolina? In this episode, expert Leigh McGill with Campaign Ethics Consulting Services breaks down the basics of campaign finance reporting. Learn about required disclosures, contribution limits, common pitfalls to avoid, and why it pays to get professional guidance from the start. Links: Connect with Leigh McGill: Campaign Ethics Consulting Services: South Carolina Ethics Commission website: _ Produced by Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of .
info_outlineDowntown revitalization requires a balanced, multi-stakeholder approach to be successful, as evidenced by the thriving downtowns across Greenville County. Today we interview Craig Scharton, an experienced downtown and community revitalization professional, who shares the key elements of the Main Street revitalization framework, roles of different community partners, and examples of downtown renewal done right in South Carolina and beyond.
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Upstate Downtown Academy sessions
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Produced by Podcast Studio X.
Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.