Ten at the Top Upstate News
|
|
Register Today for Upcoming TATT County Workshops
|
Following successful County Workshops in Laurens and Union Counties, the dates and topics have now been set for five additional County Workshops. Each workshop will be focused on an issue of interest in that particular county and will be free and open to the public, though advanced registration is requested.
Registration is now open for the workshops to be held in September in Abbeville, Greenwood and Pickens counties as well as in Oconee and Spartanburg counties in October.
Additional workshop dates and topics will be announced in the coming weeks for Anderson and Cherokee counties. You can read about all the past and upcoming County Workshops on the
10th anniversary county workshop web page
.
Sept. 9 - Abbeville County Workshop - Growing Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses
Sept.16 - Greenwood County Workshop - Cultivating Transportation Solutions: Models for Mobility
Sept. 30 - Pickens County Workshop - Cultivating Community Through Connectivity
Oct. 17 - Oconee County Workshop - Make the Connection: Oconee County Trails and Greenways
Oct. 29 - Spartanburg County Workshop - Beyond Recruiting Talent: Elevating Professionalism
|
|
Transportation Is Crucial Issue for Upstate Seniors
|
With the number of Upstate residents over the age of 65 projected to rise from roughly 12% of the total population in 2010 to more than 25% by 2030, the Ten at the Top Senior Issues Committee is focusing on educating and raising awareness amongst community stakeholders around important issues facing our seniors today and into the future.
On August 22
nd
, Ten at the Top’s Upstate Senior Issues group hosted a public workshop to discuss the transportation needs of Upstate senior residents. The inability of seniors to get where they need to go can quickly lead to poor nutrition, diminished mental and physical health, and a general isolation from their community. Increased access to transportation services can prolong a senior’s ability to reside in their home. This workshop featured a panel discussion that covered a range of topics relating to this issue.
The panel was moderated by Dean Hybl, Executive Director of Ten at the Top. Panelists were Tim Womack, Aging Services Director, Appalachian Council of Governments; Andrea Smith, Executive Director, Senior Action; Judy McCambridge, Able Care Transportation LLC; and Lindsey Page, Discharge Planner, AnMed Health.
Katy Smith, Executive Director of Piedmont Health Foundation, opened by highlighting the logistical and emotional challenges that occur when an individual that has experienced transportation independence for over sixty years is faced with losing their ability to drive. The current transportation infrastructure and lack of support for this segment of the population can leave seniors with few effective or affordable options.
The panelists discussed the measures their organizations take to provide transportation for seniors and the subsequent challenges of each, including state funded programs, volunteer driver services, public transit, or ride share services. The discussion also emphasized the need for funding and services that can provide transportation beyond medical appointments. Seniors need affordable access to recreation, religious services, retail stores, and other basic errand destinations as well.
The Upstate Senior Issues group will be hosting the fourth and final workshop in this series later this year, on the topic of Aging in Place. These workshops are free to attend and open to the public.
|
|
Applications Now Being Accepted for
2019 Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Grants
|
The 2019 grant period for the Hughes Investments Elevate Upstate Grants is currently open with completed applications due by September 16th.
The purpose of the Elevate Upstate Grants is to identify and provide initial funding support for community-based programs that promote community and economic vibrancy in local areas across the Upstate.
Phil Hughes, president of Hughes Investments, Inc., said, “The Elevate Upstate Grants are for those wishing to bring new life to their communities—a spark, a fresh idea, a new tradition—something that will excite the public and bring people together from all walks of life in a new way.” Since 2013, Hughes Investments has provided $80,000 in funds to 24 local communities.
Two grants of $5,000 each will be awarded at Ten at the Top’s annual Celebrating Successes event in November, where finalists will have the opportunity to present their proposed project before a final judgment is made. Applications and questions should be sent to Sharon Purvis, at
spurvis@tenatthetop.org.
|
|
UpstateVibe365 Feature of the Month:
Table Rock Tea Company: Growing American Tea
|
When you think of the mountains of Upstate South Carolina, do you think of tea growing country? If not, Steve and Jennifer Lorch of
Table Rock Tea Company want to change that.
Right now, both Steve and Jennifer have day jobs while they live and work on the property in Pumpkintown, intentionally growing the business slowly and steadily, with just an acre of tea plants right now. But they have plans to build up to 5 acres in the next few years, and in 10 years or so, there are plans to purchase the neighboring property, which will give them more land to plant and another building to house a café and bakery.
Right now, though, the focus is on germinating the seeds from the plants they have so that all of the future plants will come from their own property, without having to import seeds—and on growing, making, and
selling tea.
|
|
Ten at the Top is fortunate to have
many great funding supports and appreciate all who help ensure the current and future success of the organization. In 2019 we have introduced our Leadership Level Funding Partners. These partners have committed to support TATT with contributions of $10,000 or more in 2019. If your company or organization is interested in joining TATT's Leadership Level Supporters, please contact
Allison Drew today.
|
|
Check out the TATT YouTube Channel for archives from meetings, presentations and events hosted by Ten at the Top. The channel also includes videos of the Elevate Upstate Grant recipients and other TATT initiatives.
|
|
TATT volunteers have developed a number of interactive regional asset maps. Check out links to regional resources below.
|
|
There is something interesting, educational or entertaining happening in the Upstate 365 days a year.
Be sure to post your Upstate experiences using the hashtag #UpstateVibe365 and check out the regional calendar for what is happening across the region.
|
|
 |
70 Regional Engagements in 2019
2,344 Participants in 2019
|
|
|
|
876 Regional Engagements since 2010
40,458 Participants since 2010
|
|
|
|
On the Calendar
Be sure and put these TATT events on your calendar:
Pizza & Beer Redefined
September 5th | 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Skyline Exhibits & Design
135 Commerce Center, Greenville, SC
(Open to TATT Funding Partners & Board Members)
Abbeville County Workshop
Growing Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
September 9th | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
West Carolina Tel
229 Highway 28 Bypass, Abbeville, SC
Upstate Entrepreneur Support Providers Network Workshop
September 10th | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Ten at the Top/ Park 37 Complex
250 Executive Center Drive, Greenville, SC
SAVE THE DATE
TATT 10th Anniversary & Celebrating Successes Luncheon
November 20th | 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Greenville Convention Center
More Details Coming Soon
|
|
Become a TATT Supporter
In 2019 Ten at the Top is celebrating a Decade of Connecting the Upstate.
We are grateful to the many funding partners and supporters who have played a critical role in supporting the development of the organization over the last decade.
In 2019 we plan to recognize our long-term partners and supporters while also looking to grow engagement across the region.
We hope you will continue your TATT support or become a new partner in 2019.
If you have questions about TATT partnership and sponsorship opportunities or would like to set up a personal meeting, please contact
Allison Drew.or
Dean Hybl for questions or more information.
|
|
Ten at the Top is a regional non-profit organization with the mission of fostering collaboration and partnerships across the Upstate around issues that impact economic vitality and quality of life.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
