VisionGreenwood and Sustain SC to Launch Pilot Sustainability and Resiliency Planning Initiative
VisionGreenwood and Sustain SC are proud to announce a strategic partnership to launch Greenwood, S.C. as the pilot community for a groundbreaking initiative focused on municipal sustainability and resiliency planning. This forward-thinking collaboration brings together local leadership and state-level expertise to chart a path toward a more resilient, environmentally sustainable and economically vibrant future for Greenwood.
As a nonprofit committed to Greenwood’s future, VisionGreenwood has spent the last two decades investing in community and workforce development initiatives that support economic prosperity and quality of life. Their leadership and deep local ties make Greenwood the ideal launch point for this pilot. 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 will help guide the creation of a comprehensive sustainability roadmap tailored to Greenwood’s unique strengths and opportunities.
“Greenwood is the natural starting point for this important work,” said Dr. Cynthia Davis, Senior Vice President of Commerce for Sustain SC. “The community is known for its collaborative spirit and forward momentum. With the leadership of VisionGreenwood, this pilot will serve as a model for other communities across South Carolina looking to align sustainability with economic growth and community well-being.”
“This is a powerful opportunity to shape Greenwood’s future with intention,” said Kay Self, Executive Director of VisionGreenwood. “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.”
Dr. 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. 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.”
The Greenwood pilot will officially launch this summer, with planning workshops and stakeholder engagement sessions rolling out over the coming months. Findings and best practices from Greenwood will help shape a scalable model for municipal sustainability and resiliency planning across the state.
For more information about the initiative or to get involved, please contact VisionGreenwood at kself@visiongreenwood.org or Dr. Cynthia Davis, SVP of Commerce for Sustain SC at Cynthiasustainsouthcarolina.org.
About Sustain SC
Sustain SC is an economic development-driven organization that connects the sustainability goals of businesses in South Carolina with local solutions for the benefit of our economy, environment and people.
About VisionGreenwood
VisionGreenwood is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on Greenwood’s future, economic growth, and quality of life. Through strategic investments in community development and workforce initiatives, VisionGreenwood partners with local leaders to support long-term prosperity in the Greenwood region.
About The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities
The Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities works at the intersection of socio-economic and ecological systems to tackle our most pressing sustainability challenges. The Institute places students and faculty at the heart of the work, making positive impacts through applied research, hands-on learning, and sustainability leadership training. The Institute builds on over a decade of proven success and national renown of the David E. Shi Center for Sustainability to envision a world that meets the needs of all people within the means of the living planet.
About the South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR)
The South Carolina Office of Resilience (SCOR) is committed to enhancing the state’s ability to anticipate, absorb, recover, and thrive when presented with environmental changes and natural hazards by planning and coordinating statewide resilience, long-term disaster recovery, and hazard mitigation. In addition to serving 3,459 homes in our Disaster Recovery Program, SCOR has 81 active flood mitigation projects, including voluntary buyouts, stormwater infrastructure, and plans and studies, across the State. SCOR continues to implement and maintain the Strategic Statewide Resilience and Risk Reduction Plan, which provides a framework to guide investment in projects, programs, and policies to protect the people and property of South Carolina from the damage and destruction of extreme weather events.
