Greenwood launches sustainability planning pilot program

Greenwood will be a pilot community for an initiative that focuses on municipal sustainability and resiliency planning.

VisionGreenwood and Sustain SC have entered a strategic partnership to launch the program that organizers say “brings together local leadership and state-level expertise to chart a path toward a more resilient, environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant future for Greenwood,” according to a news release.

VisionGreenwood has spent the last two decades investing in community and workforce development initiatives that support economic prosperity and quality of life in the community, the news release said. As the first municipality to participate in this pilot, Greenwood will be supported by an interdisciplinary team of subject matter experts, including the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities at Furman University and various programs offered through state agencies such as the South Carolina Office of Resilience. Together, these partners are charged with helping create a comprehensive sustainability roadmap tailored to Greenwood’s unique strengths and opportunities.

“Greenwood is the natural starting point for this important work,” Cynthia Davis, senior vice president of commerce for Sustain SC, said in the release. “The community is known for its collaborative spirit and forward momentum. With the leadership of Vision Greenwood, this pilot will serve as a model for other communities across South Carolina looking to align sustainability with economic growth and community well-being.”

The Greenwood pilot will officially launch this summer, with planning workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions rolling out over the coming months, the release stated.

“This is a powerful opportunity to shape Greenwood’s future with intention,” Kay Self, executive director of VisionGreenwood, said in the release. “By working with Sustain SC and tapping into the expertise of partners like the Shi Institute and the SC Office of Resilience, we’re equipping our community with the tools it needs to thrive for generations to come.”

The project will serve as a model for similar programs elsewhere. Findings and best practices from Greenwood will help shape a scalable model for municipal sustainability and resiliency planning across the state, according to the release.

Andrew Predmore, executive director of the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities, emphasized the importance of place-based planning.

“Sustainability works best when it reflects the values and priorities of the local community,” he said in the release. “We’re proud to work alongside VisionGreenwood and Sustain SC to co-create a roadmap that prioritizes economic prosperity and resilience, while also protecting Greenwood’s natural resources.”

Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that works to connect the sustainability goals of businesses in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment and people.

VisionGreenwood is a nonprofit organization focused on Greenwood’s future, economic growth and quality of life. The organization partners with local leaders to support long-term prosperity in the Greenwood region.