If there's one word to sum up the secret to Spartanburg County's string of successful economic developments in recent years, it's collaboration, and local leaders say what makes that collaboration effective is sharing a common vision.
That's OneSpartanburg Inc. Vision Plan 2.0is the second iteration of a five-year community-wide goal launched in 2017.
“Spartanburg's economic growth over the past five years has been historic and nationally recognized,” said Allen Smith, president and CEO of OneSpartanburg. “Nearly every success is tied to the recommendations of the OneSpartanburg Vision Plan 1.0. This plan is not a proposal, it is an implementation strategy, and we have followed through.”
Smith said the new plan builds on successes to date and recognizes challenges remain. It was developed in collaboration with Broad Ripple Strategies, a consulting firm with experience developing community strategies, and with input from a 49-member steering committee.
Vision Plan 2.0 focuses on six key goals:
- Increase your level of prosperity
- Improving education standards
- Attract and retain talented people
- Diversify Spartanburg's economy
- Improve quality of life
- Reduce racial equity gaps in entrepreneurship and business ownership
One of the most challenging areas that both vision plans address is improving the educational standards of county residents. Spartanburg Academic Movement According to SAM, the county is on track to achieve its goal of having 40 percent of its population earn a four-year degree by 2030, but challenges remain.
“We view this as one of our most important challenges,” Booker said.
SAM is the lead organization on the education goals contained in the Vision Plan, which also include college affordability and child care and early childhood education.
Booker said he was encouraged that education goals continue to rank as a top priority in the plan, given the scope of the challenges in the field.
Another of the 15 key initiatives in Vision Plan 2.0 focuses on outdoor amenities and image. Key partners in this effort include Play, defend, live well Spartanburg (PAL) – Executive Director Laura Lingo said the $23.8 million federal grant awarded to the County and PAL to add 15 miles to the Daniel Morgan Trail System is a major step forward in expanding active living options for County residents.
Lingo said trails and outdoor amenities are becoming increasingly important and such amenities are a key part of defining Spartanburg's sense of community.
“I think the placemaking piece is really important to this plan,” she said.
A quick overview of Vision Plan 2.0
The plan includes 15 major initiatives in three focus areas:
talent:
- University tuition fees
- The university-career connection
- Adult degree holders
- Childcare and Early Childhood Education
- Talent Marketing and Attraction
economy:
- Manufacturing and Logistics
- Enterprise and knowledge-based jobs
- High growth companies
- Small Business and Minority-Owned Businesses
place:
- Countywide placemaking
- Gateway and corridor
- The next generation of downtown Spartanburg
- Reimagining Morgan Square
- Outdoor facilities and images
- Diverse Housing Options
