Greenville County has built a remarkable story of progress. We’ve evolved from our textile roots into a nationally-recognized leader in advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and innovation. Our skyline, quality of life and growing reputation reflect a community that relentlessly strives for what’s next.

Yet one measure reminds us that our work isn’t finished. In 2024, Greenville County’s per capita personal income (PCPI) stood at 87.6% of the national average, a gap that represents over $5 billion in unrealized economic activity that year alone and more than $50 billion lost over the past two decades.

Those are dollars that didn’t flow into local businesses, family savings, or community investments in housing, education, and infrastructure. Imagine what Greenville could accomplish if we closed that gap by 2035, the businesses we could grow, the communities we could strengthen and the opportunities we could create for every resident.

Greenville’s growth story is powerful, but prosperity hasn’t reached everyone equally. Several challenges drive this income gap:

• Skills mismatch. Many workers are in lower-wage jobs, while high-demand sectors like engineering, health care and technology continue to face labor shortages.
• Education gaps. Our postsecondary attainment lags many peer cities, even though each additional credential leads to stronger wages and stability.
• Rising costs and limited access. Housing and transportation challenges make it harder for many families to connect with opportunity.

At the same time, Greenville’s small-business community is thriving but concentrated in lower-margin industries. Expanding locally-owned firms in high-value sectors will be a critical driver of future growth.

Closing this gap touches everyone. It means better jobs and stability for families, stronger local businesses, and more resources for the infrastructure and public services that sustain our success.

Reaching national parity by 2035 is ambitious but achievable if we stay focused on three priorities:

• Build a stronger talent pipeline through education, apprenticeships and adult reskilling.
• Fuel local business growth by expanding capital access, mentorship and local supply chain opportunities.
• Make prosperity reachable for all by addressing housing, childccare and transportation barriers.

Greenville has reinvented itself before, turning the loss of textile jobs into a decades-long success story of innovation and resiliency. Now it’s time for the next transformation: raising incomes, expanding opportunity and ensuring prosperity truly reaches everyone.

The Chamber looks forward to working with business, education, government and community partners to create meaningful progress. Together, we can turn billions in unrealized potential into shared prosperity. We’ve done it before and we must do it again.

Carlos Phillips is in his 10th year as president and CEO of the Greenville Chamber.

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It shouldn’t be illegal to be homeless.

Over the last decade, Greenvillians have seen a rise in visible homelessness, a complex challenge shaped by many forces. Every day, service providers and city leaders hear concerns about panhandling and people sleeping in public spaces, and we are working together to find real solutions.

This increase in homelessness stems from multiple causes. Shelters are full because there are too few affordable housing options for exits. More people are living with severe mental illness and addiction. Greenville’s growth has displaced long-standing encampments that once offered refuge to those with nowhere else to go. The result is a community-wide challenge that affects us all.

Fortunately, Greenville is not standing still. Through partnerships among nonprofits and with the city, including a new collaborative effort, innovative solutions are helping people find homes and stability. Tonight, more than 500 individuals experiencing homelessness will sleep in a facility somewhere in Greenville County, and over 100 more will enter a cold weather shelter for safety and to escape the cold.

Our collective goal in Greenville is a national best-practice approach known as functional zero, a system where homelessness is brief, rare, and nonrecurring. It means that for every person who becomes homeless, another secures housing, creating a balanced, responsive system. We’re not there yet but we are united in pursuit of that vision.

On Nov. 10, the city of Greenville will consider a no-camping ordinance, part of a broader national trend following the 2024 U.S. Supreme Court decision City of Grants Pass v. Johnson. That ruling allows cities to enforce bans on sleeping or camping in public spaces, even when shelter beds are unavailable, reversing the earlier Martin v. Boise decision. Since then, municipalities nationwide have grappled with how to balance compassion, safety and order.

When the city approached us earlier this year, we, the nonprofit service providers who work daily with our neighbors experiencing homelessness, welcomed the opportunity to engage in honest conversation. From the start, we shared three truths:

• We will never support the criminalization of homelessness. It is not illegal to have nowhere to sleep.
• The city has both the right and the responsibility to ensure that Greenville’s public spaces are safe for everyone; homeowners, renters, visitors and those without homes.
• A no-camping ordinance alone risks harm, but with collaboration, safeguards and best practices, it could help uplift the entire community.

Over the months that followed, our organizations met with Councilman John DeWorken and others to develop 10 recommendations to ensure any ordinance prioritizes safety, dignity, and effective outcomes:

• Clear purpose and measurable goals. The ordinance should define success not just through enforcement, but through positive, human-centered outcomes.
• Trauma-informed enforcement. Officers and outreach teams must receive comprehensive training on homelessness, trauma and de-escalation, informed by experienced outreach professionals and Crisis Intervention Training.
• Supportive services alongside enforcement. Citations or relocations should connect individuals to shelter, mental health care, addiction services, job training and housing navigation.
• Due process protections. People must have the right to appeal citations or relocation orders, with access to legal aid through the homelessness court system.
• Narrow definitions and clear enforcement zones. The ordinance should not criminalize basic survival behaviors, and an acclimation period should allow for communication and trust-building.
• Protection of personal property. Essential items like IDs, medications, and tents should never be destroyed. Secure storage options should be provided.
• Expanded access. The city should prioritize shelter availability, 24/7 bathrooms, and robust outreach to ensure long-term success.
• Transparency and oversight. Regular public reporting and collaboration on data collection will build accountability and trust.
• Ongoing review. The ordinance should be evaluated regularly with input from the community, nonprofits and law enforcement.
• Compassion before enforcement. Implementation of these supports must precede strict enforcement.

We are encouraged by the city’s openness to these ideas, its willingness to collaborate and incorporation into the ordinance. The engagement of City Council, the chief of police, and the city manager’s office has been both genuine and deeply appreciated.

If the ordinance moves forward, we remain cautiously optimistic that Greenville can set an example for other cities, showing that compassion and accountability are not opposites, but partners. Success should be measured not only by cleaner streets, but by healthier lives, restored dignity and stronger community trust.

Together, we can make Greenville a place where every person, housed or not, is treated with respect and hope.

Ryan Duerk is CEO of Miracle Hill Ministries. Lizzie Bebber is president of United Ministries. Jennifer Fouse Sheorn is pastor at Triune Mercy Center

The post Opinion: Finding common ground on homelessness, public policy in Greenville appeared first on GREENVILLE JOURNAL.

Editor’s note: This editorial was the winning entry in the annual StraightTalk student op-ed contest organized by The Riley Institute at Furman University. The topic for entries was “the attainability of the American Dream.” A member of the Greenville Journal staff was on the committee that reviewed the entries.

And what about Fido — the lazy golden retriever? He’s gotten more expensive, too. Some bags of dry dog food have so much as doubled in price in the last few years.

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At the time, Habitat for Humanity was a name few recognized. Affordable housing was a quiet crisis, and the idea of mobilizing volunteers to construct homes felt ambitious, perhaps even improbable.

After 40 years, that vision has become a powerful movement.

Today, Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County stands as one of the pillars of the region’s affordable housing ecosystem. We have built 430 homes across the county and repaired 330 more. Each one is a testament to what is possible when purpose meets action.

These aren’t just houses. They are launching pads for brighter futures — places where children sleep more soundly, where parents find stability and where families begin to build generational wealth.

But our work is far from done.

Our journey began with Joe Barron, a passionate advocate who brought his experience from Habitat’s Columbia affiliate to Greenville. Together with volunteers — including Tom Faulker, who still comes by our offices today — from Buncombe Street United Methodist Church, they planted a seed of hope that has grown far beyond what anyone could have imagined.

As we celebrate 40 years of impact, we’re doubling down on our mission. We are not here just to commemorate the past, we’re here to build the future.

We’re inviting the community to be a part of this continued journey. Here’s how:

• Dinner on Ice: Our signature fundraising gala Oct. 21 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena brings together supporters, community leaders, and Greenville Swamp Rabbits players for a night of purpose and fun.
• 40th Anniversary Fundraising Raffle: An exciting opportunity to support our mission and win incredible prizes.
• The Anniversary Build: Our most ambitious campaign yet, raising $400,000 by year’s end to construct another home and another future.
• The Women’s Build: An annual project, with the added anniversary goal of 40 women participating to build a house for a family.

More information is available at habitatgreenville.org.

And this is just the beginning. More events and initiatives will roll out over the coming months as we invite Greenville to celebrate with us, and to take action alongside us.

At its core, Habitat is not about houses. It’s about people. It’s about partnership. It’s about the deep belief that everyone deserves a decent place to live, and the dignity that comes with it.

Building homes is just the beginning. Together, we can build a more just, more inclusive and more hopeful Greenville.

LaTonya Phillips is president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County.

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Over the past 10 years, AM&E Night has helped shape the region’s workforce by introducing thousands of students and families to the dynamic world of modern manufacturing. It began at a time when career awareness in this field was limited, and the conversation focused on revitalizing interest in skilled trades and industrial innovation.

This year’s event will spotlight artificial intelligence and its growing impact on companies in the region. The evening will showcase the practical application of AI and demonstrate how it’s transforming business processes locally and globally.

The first iPhone appeared in 2007. Within eight years, when AM&E Night launched in 2016, the world had become fully digital. If you thought the rate of adoption of smartphones was fast, then buckle your seat belts for the pace of change coming with AI. ChatGPT, launched in November 2022, achieved 1 million users in just five days — a milestone that took Facebook 10 months and Twitter 16 months to achieve.

AI promises to reshape industries at an even faster pace. The message to business leaders is clear: Act boldly today or risk becoming uncompetitive tomorrow. Workers recognize that AI will fundamentally change how they work and are calling on their organizations to invest in the training and resources needed to help them thrive in this new era.

Photos: 2024 Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night at Fluor Field

How can companies deploy AI effectively, increasing productivity while unleashing creativity? How can the next-generation workforce prepare for next-generation AI?

These questions and more will be explored during a panel discussion during AM&E Night featuring leaders from BMW Manufacturing, GE Vernova, Greenville Technical College and Fluor Corp. The panel is designed for K-12 students and their families.

The way we work is shifting. New roles and opportunities are on the horizon for today’s students. Get ready for what’s next at Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night at the Greenville Drive.

— Burke Royster, superintendent, Greenville County Schools
— Larry Miller, president, Greenville Technical College

Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night schedule

All events are held at Fluor Field, 945 S. Main St., Greenville. Free admission for K-12 students.

• 5:30-9 p.m.: Interactive exhibits will be on display throughout the concourse at Fluor Field.
• 6 p.m.: AI-focused expert panel discussion begins in the Fluor Field 500 Club. Panel will also include opportunities to meet Greenville County Schools students, Greenville Technical College students, new employees and apprentices.
• 6:45 p.m.: Greenville Drive vs. Rome Emperors

Exhibitors include: BMW Manufacturing, Michelin North America, Greenville Technical College, GE Vernova, Greenville County Schools, Milliken, Fluor Corp., Bosch, Bosch Rexroth, Ryobi, Dodge Industrial, South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, Koops and more.

Sponsored by: Greenville Drive, BMW Manufacturing, Michelin North America, GE Vernova, Greenville County Schools and Greenville Technical College.

Tickets and information: greenvilledrive.com/ame.

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As a retired physician and nurse, we have witnessed firsthand the realities of untreated mental illness and the impact on whole families and communities. 

As community members, we have felt the overwhelming grief of losing family members and friends to suicide and have asked ourselves if the outcome would have been different with access to the right treatment at the right time. 

As trustees of the Sargent Foundation, we have focused for many years on supporting mental health and have sought to reemphasize its importance. 

This professional, personal and philanthropic passion for expanding access to mental health care served as the catalyst behind our recent $1 million gift to the Prisma Health-Upstate Foundation’s Hope Forward Campaign, which supports the new Prisma Behavioral Health Hospital.

The hospital is a public-private partnership with the state of South Carolina, Prisma Health and the Upstate community. This state-of-the-art facility — under construction at 4906 Old Easley Bridge Road near Easley — will build on the legacy of inpatient behavioral health care at Marshall I. Pickens Hospital, while nearly doubling the total amount of beds and quadrupling the number of beds for children and adolescents. More patients will be able to receive the care they need close to family and friends, whose support can be so crucial to recovery. 

We were particularly encouraged to see elements of normalcy, play and education woven into the new hospital, which inspired us to make our gift to name the Sargent-Wilson Wellness Center. The center will provide recreational, educational and supportive space for patients and family members with team members, as well as serve as a hub for community groups.

We chose to make our gift public to shine a light on an often underserved area of health care and to inspire others to give, knowing that mental health impacts all of us. Each gift to this campaign will move us closer to opening the doors of our hospital in early 2027, with opportunities to recognize and honor loved ones throughout the campus.

We hope you’ll join us in this once-in-our-lifetime opportunity to unite in giving for our children, for our families, for our neighbors, for our friends and for our future.

To learn more about the Hope Forward campaign, visit prismahealthupstatefoundation.org/hopeforward.

Teresa Wilson and Bob Wilson, MD, are trustees of the Sargent Foundation, which was founded 1953 by Eleanor and Earle Sargent. The Sargent Foundation focuses on supporting health care, education and community needs, primarily in South Carolina. 

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The Swamp Rabbit Trail is one of our community’s greatest assets, but it is becoming increasingly unenjoyable and unsafe due to the reckless behavior of speeding cyclists who ignore basic trail etiquette.

Too many riders treat this shared-use path like a racetrack, as if the time trials of the Tour de France are on the line, flying past pedestrians without any warning. No bell, no “on your left,” nothing. And, contrary to their belief, coasting and letting your gears click is not a substitute for a verbal warning or bell. People get startled and it’s only a matter of time before someone gets hurt, either walker or rider.

This is not an anticyclist letter. But if you’re moving fast and weaving through families, children, dogs and older adults without loudly announcing your presence or slowing down, you are creating a hazard and being a hazard.

When on the trail, cyclists need to slow down in crowded areas, signal their approach clearly and loudly by saying “on the left” or ringing a bell multiple times. The Swamp Rabbit Trail belongs to everyone and it should be safe for everyone as well.

Robyn Andrews
Travelers Rest

Related: Swamp Rabbit Trail news

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By any measure, Greenville is a success story. We’re a city known for turning bold ideas into reality, like the revitalization of our downtown. And while we’ve grown and prospered, we now face a pivotal moment: Will we become a city that ignores those experiencing homelessness, or will we come together to support our neighbors and work toward real, lasting solutions?

Many of our neighbors are unhoused not because they’ve failed, but because our systems have. Homelessness can happen suddenly and unexpectedly. Too many people in our community are one personal hardship away from experiencing homelessness. This risk is worsened by housing shortages, policy gaps and under-resourced support systems.

Despite common misconceptions, many people experiencing homelessness in Greenville are working. At the men’s shelter on Washington Street, nearly half of the nightly residents go to work every day. They are doing their part and now this community must step up to do ours.

The postponement on June 9 of the city of Greenville’s proposed camping ordinance gives us a chance to do just that. We commend city leadership for pausing to engage with others, because now is not the time to rush to enforcement. It’s time to invest in coordination, compassion and community-informed solutions.

This is exactly what Greenville Together: A Home for All is designed to do and is already working toward. This citywide initiative brings together nonprofits, the city of Greenville, business leaders and people with lived experience to make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring. Our long-term goal is functional zero: a system where homelessness is quickly
identified and resolved, and no one is left behind.

Importantly, the city has already shown commitment, investing $500,000 in the upcoming budget toward our total goal of $4.8 million. By the end of 2025, we aim to rehouse 80 households currently living unsheltered: 50 through immediate placement and 30 with wraparound stability support. Our housing surge is a citywide push to increase permanent
housing options. We have plenty of temporary shelter beds, but not enough permanent supportive housing options for people to transition to from shelters.

The postponement of the city’s ordinance is critical because this work doesn’t start with enforcement – it starts with listening, building trust and meeting needs. It starts with housing that is safe, affordable and supported by services for mental health, employment and recovery.

Homelessness is a real and growing issue in Greenville, but this community has always risen to meet big challenges. Let’s use this time to engage deeply, think long-term, and stay focused on real solutions, because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Now is our chance to show what’s possible when we work for the benefit of every neighbor — together. Learn more or get involved at greenvilletogether.org.

Carl Sobocinski is founder and president of Table 301 Hospitality. Sean Dogan is senior pastor of Long Branch Baptist Church.

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As a resident living directly across from the site, I know this development will harm my home, quality of life, and the broader community. Construction alone will bring constant noise, dust, and congestion to a road not suited for commercial travel. Have officials considered how this will impact families and children who live here? What happens when hotel traffic, wedding parties, and rooftop bar noise disrupt our nights?

Beyond the intrusion on residents, this land – zoned as environmentally sensitive – is home to deer, foxes, bears, and countless species that will be displaced. The runoff alone could threaten well water and property values.

Would you want a hotel looming over your backyard? Paris Mountain is part of Greenville’s identity, and we must protect it from commercial overreach. Travelers Rest must reject short-sighted development and preserve what makes this area special.

Tara Rowland
Travelers Rest

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Small businesses are the backbone of South Carolina’s economy, especially in Greenville County, where they employ nearly half of the workforce. As we strive to grow our local economy, it’s vital to celebrate the progress these entrepreneurs have made – and continue to support their success.

However, many small businesses still face significant challenges. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 99.4% of all firms in South Carolina are small businesses, employing 45.3% of the state’s workforce. Yet, access to capital remains a critical barrier, particularly for minority- and women-owned businesses. A 2021 Federal Reserve survey found that only 13% of Black-owned firms received all the financing they sought, compared to 40% of white-owned firms.

Since our founding in 2008, CommunityWorks has been dedicated to serving financially underserved families and communities. We aim to provide equitable financial products and services that build wealth and promote economic mobility. This year, with the help of Wells Fargo and other organizations, we’re continuing to offer flexible financing, coaching, and technical assistance to help businesses grow and thrive.

Our impact is clear. In 2023 alone, we provided nearly $1 million in small business loans to 44 businesses across South Carolina. This support has led to job creation, neighborhood revitalization, and stimulated economic growth. We’re proud to play a role in these success stories and remain committed to fostering the potential of South Carolina’s entrepreneurs.

While much can be done by nonprofits and the business community, there is a critical role for the government to meet these needs. As an example, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott has strongly advocated for opportunity zones, a federal program encouraging long-term investments in low-income communities. These zones have attracted capital to underserved areas, driving economic development and job creation. With the combined effort of the federal government and private and nonprofit sectors, we are making a tangible difference for South Carolina’s entrepreneurs and communities. This commitment to strengthening communities mirrors our own, and the support has helped us expand our reach and deepen our impact.

Looking ahead, I am inspired by the resilience and innovation of our state’s small businesses. For the remainder of this year and into the next, we will continue increasing access to capital, enhancing our coaching and technical assistance programs, and advocating for policies that support small business growth. We are firmly committed to advancing opportunity and ensuring that our services reach those who have historically been marginalized. This commitment is central to our mission, and we will continue to work towards a more equitable future.

Our vision is simple yet powerful: a future where everyone can attain financial equality and economic mobility. Together, we empower entrepreneurs in South Carolina and work towards a more prosperous and inclusive future for all.

LaTorrie Geer is the CEO of CommunityWorks, a U.S. Treasury-certified CDFI based in Greenville.

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You’re dining with a family member that you always disagree with on politics. They throw out an opinion, and all of a sudden you’re in a full-fledged heated debate, Trump-Harris style. It’s discouraging, but it’s nothing new in an age of division that is just as palpable within our own families as it is in Congress.

Why is it so hard to talk to people we love about issues upon which we disagree? In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, psychologist Jeanne Safer pointed out that it’s our psychological differences that bother us.

“We have a fantasy that people who are our intimates are going to be like us in every fundamental way. We wonder: How can somebody important to me not see what I see?”

In order to improve these conversations, we can start by looking for lower-stakes opportunities for conversation. By saving the more controversial topics for people that aren’t as central to our lives, we can avoid jeopardizing important relationships.

Next, we must reframe these conversations for learning, with your one goal being to understand the opposing beliefs. This can transform grounds for war into fertile ground for empathy. Importantly, once you have more knowledge about why these beliefs exist, you can use it to better understand your loved ones.

The echo chambers in which we reside perpetuate a dangerous intolerance for the other side — but as college students, we have an opportunity to escape them.

Unlike our hometowns in which we are insulated by similar beliefs, college provides the opportunity to meet, talk to and befriend people that challenge us and offer low-stakes opportunities to discuss different ideologies. It’s a place to practice being quick to ask questions, and slow to argue.

Undoubtedly, some of my political conversations at college have been frustrating. But since I’ve started implementing these strategies, these discussions have become more enlightening than destructive. They have helped me learn how to prioritize curiosity over being right.

In her 2017 book “Braving the Wilderness,” author Brené Brown famously suggested the idea, “People are hard to hate close up. Move in.”

During our four precious years of growth and socialization, let’s move into curiosity. Let’s move into empathy. Let’s move into relationships that challenge our beliefs to decentralize political ideologies from our love for others, so that we as young people may dream of a future wherein we are marching toward change together.

Audrey Enghauser is a communication studies major and poverty studies minor at Furman University, and editor-in-chief of the university’s student newspaper, The Paladin.

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This kind of forward-thinking investment has created space for 300 employees to work in the heart of our city, energizing local businesses and contributing to the vibrancy — or “people on the streets” as I like to say — of our downtown.

While United built new office space, others have also recently boosted our business district. Canal Insurance brought some 200 employees to a newly renovated space on Main Street, and Purpose Financial moved its headquarters from Spartanburg to office space in the new mixed-use building in the West End.

This influx brings more highly paid workers, who are likely to support our small businesses — whether it’s a lunch break at a local restaurant, after-work shopping at a boutique, or both at places like the West End’s café and women’s boutique, Augusta 20. Corporate headquarters also frequently invest heavily in local philanthropy, becoming pillars of the community. This combination of economic activity and corporate responsibility strengthens both downtown and the surrounding areas.

While Greenville is thriving, many other large cities are struggling.

In Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte, office buildings are facing high vacancy rates due to remote work trends, forcing building owners to rapidly convert offices to residential spaces to stave off foreclosure. Without adaptation, a “doom loop” threatens: fewer workers lead to less business, lower city revenues and reduced public services, hampering efforts to attract new residents and business.

On the other hand, Greenville made thoughtful, strategic investments over the years, focusing on mixed-use development that combines office, retail and residential spaces. This approach has been the “secret sauce” to our success, transforming Greenville from an aging mill town into one of the best in the country. We’ve created a balanced ecosystem that attracts both companies and people, positioning us for sustained growth and vibrancy well into the future.

As other cities scramble to reinvent themselves, Greenville’s forward-thinking approach is keeping us on a path of thoughtful growth and success. And with investments from companies like United Community, we’re ensuring that downtown Greenville will thrive for years to come.

City of Greenville, Mayor Knox White

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Infrastructure is more than fixing pot holes and malfunctioning traffic signals, but it also has to do with making a place more accessible for everyone.

In addition to traffic issues there are other challenges. Many people are being left behind, and are not able to stay in their homes are find affordable housing, and in some cases have lost their businesses.  There also is increasing inequality. Part of having a good foundation is having a healthy, educated workforce. This state needs to do a much better job lifting residents out of poverty, so that they are able to take advantage of new opportunities.

Smart growth is also about preserving historical relics in the upstate. A city is made up of the generations who have worked, built things and lived here. The heartbeat of a city is about history, culture, natural resources. It’s not about more buildings and developments.

Change is difficult, urban planning is complex, but with the right leadership, the Upstate can create a foundation to support all ambitious projects. That is why we need new local representatives to help build a foundation and create an Upstate where everyone can thrive.

Meta M. Griffin
Spartanburg

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As a local child care center owner and Save the Children Action Network advocate, I see how essential child care is for children’s development and for working parents. Affordable, quality child care enables parents to maintain employment and support the state’s economy. Without it, families face tough choices that can harm their financial stability.

South Carolina urgently needs more investment in child care infrastructure, including expanded subsidies, improved care quality, and better training and compensation for providers. These steps will create a more equitable system for all families, regardless of socioeconomic status.

I urge policymakers to recognize the vital role of accessible, high-quality child care in our children’s well-being and the state’s prosperity. Let’s work together to ensure every child in South Carolina can thrive.

Mia Gentry
Boiling Springs

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Even with that progress, challenges remain for employers in 2024. Key among them is finding and retaining talent.

For many years, advanced manufacturing has struggled with the skills gap – the difference between the talents needed and the capabilities workers possess. As employees retire, there isn’t an adequate supply of qualified new hires to replace them, limiting growth. Even with some of the measures taken to appeal to potential employees including flexible schedules and greater rewards, talent acquisition can still be an issue. 

Building interest with students in STEM careers from an early age is a promising part of the talent solution, a tactic aimed at growing the future workforce.

That’s the idea behind the ninth annual Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night at the Drive, coming June 25 to Fluor Field. For nearly a decade, the event has provided free admission for K-12 students along with an introduction to the opportunities ahead with an exciting show-and-tell from some of the Upstate’s largest manufacturers and leading educators. 

Related: Fluor Field to host annual Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night

This year’s AM&E Night event will highlight hands-on, interactive exhibits featuring robotics, 3D animation and printing, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and much more. Kids will have the chance to win prizes as they see the creative application of technology to the manufacturing process. There’s also a panel discussion with leaders from BMW, Michelin, GE Vernova, and Greenville Technical College discussing the employment outlook and the education that can put people on a path to these strong careers.

As the front porch of the Upstate community for 19 years, Fluor Field is the perfect venue for AM&E Night as the ballpark spotlights the incredible manufacturing and technology work being done in our community plus helps develop our region’s next generation AM&E workforce.

For kids, AM&E Night is a fun night at the ballpark to experience high-tech tools and technologies. For families, the event can dispel old-fashioned ideas of manufacturing as a dirty, repetitive work environment. For manufacturers, Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night at the Drive is a time to shine, giving the community an inside look at the innovative technology at use in their facilities and the advanced technical and digital knowledge needed to make it all work.

For tickets and information on Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Night at the Drive, go to greenvilledrive.com/ame. 

Craig Brown, Owner & Chairman, Greenville Drive
Dr. Keith Miller, President, Greenville Technical College

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