Analysis Helps

City of Spartanburg

Operate More Efficiently

Government Services staff often helps jurisdictions evaluate programs and services. In these difficult times, decisions must be made as to whether programs are benefiting the community and meeting the needs of their constituents, and whether they are cost-effectively delivered.

Government Services recently conducted a number of studies for the City of Spartanburg. These studies included a review of the municipal court, an analysis of the specific duties of the assistant city manager and city manager, a review of staffing levels and organizational efficiency, and specific departmental reviews.  

Recommendations on departmental consolidation, employee transfers and the like were provided to management and ultimately included in this year's fiscal budget.   ACOG thanks the City of Spartanburg for the opportunity to assist them during these economic times and is hopeful that the analysis conducted resulted in cost savings, as well as improvements to the organization as a whole.

For further information on services provide by the Government Services Department please contact Doug Burns 864-241-4642 or Donna Kazia at 864-241-4362.

Don't Miss Out On

2011 Planning Training Opportunities!

The Appalachian Council of Governments, as part of its effort to provide training for local government officials, provides the requisite Planning Education training sessions to ensure local government commission members and staffs meet training requirements established by the SC Legislature in Article 9 of the SC Code of Laws.  

Training is mandatory for local government planning commissions, boards of zoning appeals and architectural review boards, as well as for staff who directly or indirectly work with planning officials. New members must complete a six-hour curriculum their first year to be eligible to serve on boards or as staff for planning officials. Then, in subsequent years, members and staff must complete three hours of continuing education to remain certified.

Each year, the COG provides orientation training for dozens of newly-appointed officials and continuing education for an average of more than 225 people throughout the region. As we come to the last quarter of 2011, there are many who have not met their orientation or continuing education requirements. Luckily, there is still plenty of time to sign up for one of our orientation or continuing education training sessions.

The schedule of classes is posted on the COG website (www.scacog.org), along with registration instructions. The orientation and continuing education classes have been refined this year to provide a more focused training session that addresses the specific questions of the attendees. These changes allow for more discussion on a broader range of issues in an effort to better meet the needs of our communities. There is a $25 fee per person for classes held at COG offices and $35 for those held at remote sites. For more information please contact Jennifer Vissage at (864) 242-9733.

City of Greenville/Parker Fire

Reach an Agreement on Annexation

Annexation negotiations between cities and special purpose tax districts are always challenging.  Recently, the City of Greenville and the Parker Fire/Sewer District began negotiations to resolve the issues they have. 

Numerous meetings were held between the two staffs and boards in an attempt to mend what have oftentimes been bitter feelings and concerns.   ACOG served as a facilitator between the two parties, and fortunately, an amicable solution was reached.  

The two entities were able to clearly define the locations of all sewer lines and establish correct ownership.  They worked cooperatively to utilize both entities' GIS systems to delineate location and ownership on the maps.   

They then addressed the issue of compensation for annexation into the special tax/purpose district.  Both agreed on payment for past annexations and the way future annexations will be addressed.  A clear, concise agreement was drafted and approved by both governing bodies.   

This is a perfect example of how cooperation and coordination can overcome very deep concerns and long-standing arguments.  Both should be congratulated for their hard work and dedication in resolving a state-wide issue, at least at this local level.  ACOG is proud to have played a minor role in making this resolution possible.  For more information on annexation issues, please contact Doug Burns at (864) 242-9733. 

Friendly Visitor

Volunteers Needed! 

typical street in the West Pelzer area where water lines will be upgraded with grant funding

SC Department of Commerce Awards

Infrastructure Improvement Grants

The SC Department of Commerce recently awarded $2,838,848 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to benefit low- and moderate-income people in the Appalachian Region. These funds are allocated to South Carolina through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to undertake a variety of community revitalization and economic development activities.

Cherokee County was awarded $500,000 for the River Drive Water Upgrade and Extension Project. The project entails construction of 14,100 feet of 6-inch water line and 1,400 feet of 2-inch water line, and will serve 157 people. Over 90 percent of these beneficiaries are low-to- moderate income. The total project is expected to cost $630,550.

The Town of Blacksburg has received $500,000 to undertake the Youngs Grove Road Water Extension Project. The total project cost will be $583,000 and will include the construction of 23,000 feet of water lines to connect the residents to public water, which will alleviate problems associated with failing and unsafe wells. There will be 30 new low-income service connections, with 103 people benefitting intotal.

The Town of Iva was awarded $443,737 to construct 4,470 feet of 6- and 8-inch sewer lines. This upgrade will provide improved service to residents that are experiencing line breakages and overflows. The project will benefit 392 people, with 326 being low-to-moderate income persons. The total project cost is estimated at $500,000.

The City of Liberty has received $500,000 to construct 3,080 feet of upgraded sewer line for the residents of the Woodside neighborhood. The total cost is expected to be $566,000; 131 residents will benefit from this project with 113 people being low-to-moderate income.

The Town of West Pelzer was awarded $447,500 to undertakewater system improvements on various streets throughout the Town. The project involves the upgrade of approximately 8,300 feet of water lines, serving 91 homes and 226 people. The total project cost is $500,000.

The Town of Williamston will receive $447,611 in order to upgrade 3,000 feet of a major sewer trunk line serving 396 homes and 941 people. The project, estimated to cost a total of $500,000 will alleviate problems with raw sewage overflows.

The ACOG Grant Services Department assisted with the CDBG applications and will administer these grants to ensure the funds are expended in compliance with state and federal guidelines. For more information on these projects, or the CDBG program, contact Dirk Reis or Caroline Wilson of the ACOG Grant Services  staff at (864) 242-9733. 

The Greer Commission of Public Works and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day grants workshop in Greer on November 3 - 4. This training is for grant seekers across all disciplines. Attend this class, and you'll learn how to find grants and write winning grant proposals.

Beginner and experienced grant writers from city, county and state agencies, as well as nonprofits, K-12, colleges and universities, are invited to attend.

Multi-enrollment discounts and discounts for Grant Writing USA returning alumni are available. Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment.

Tuition is $425 and includes all materials, which include a workbook and accompanying 420MB resource CD that's packed full of tools, along with more than 200 sample grant proposals. Online reservations are necessary, and seating is limited. For more information, or to register,  go to http://grantstraining.com/gcpw1. 

Medicare Expands Open Enrollment Period

October 15 - December 7

Your health needs change from year to year, and your health plan may change the benefits it offers you.  Open enrollment is the one time of year when ALL people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage. New benefits are available for all people with Medicare - whether you choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan - including lower prescription costs, wellness visits, and preventive care. Take advantage of open enrollment and you may be able to save money, get better coverage, or both!

Starting this year, open enrollment begins on October 15th and continues through December 7, providing seven full weeks for you to review and make changes to your coverage. However, also starting this year, you will need to make your final selection for next year's Medicare coverage by December 7th. This change ensures Medicare has enough time to process your choice, so your coverage can begin without interruption on January 1.

Remember - Medicare is available to help in your decision making.  Be sure to review the Medicare & You 2012 handbook, which is mailed in September to people with Medicare.

One-on-one help is also available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), located in the ACOG office.  SHIP counselors are not affiliated with any insurance plan and are available to assist consumers and caregivers.   Contact us at (800) 434-4036 for a plan comparison worksheet or for a schedule of outreach events in your county.

Residents' Rights Week Expanded

Each year during the month of October, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long Term Care organization sets aside a week to observe Residents' Rights in long-term care facilities.  This year, however, they have announced that the week has been expanded to become an observance during the entire month of October.

Residents' Rights Month is a time for celebration and recognition, offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident. The theme for this year is, "Welcome Home: Creating Connections between Residents and the Community."

Of course, the COG's Ombudsmen have a large role to play in celebrating Residents' Rights Month.  They travel throughout the six counties in our region visiting facilities and spreading awareness by bringing information and activities to share with facility staff and residents.

The most popular activity that the ombudsmen share is Residents' Rights Bingo - an educational and fun experience, which, of course, includes prizes! Other activities include a Jeopardy game and Residents' Rights word search puzzle. The ombudsmen also provide in-services for facility staff and speak to resident councils.

Because this year's theme focuses on increasing community involvement with the residents, the friendly visitor volunteers will be participating in Residents' Rights Month as well.  They will be bringing tips to the facilities on ways to encourage community involvement.  Some tips include hosting an open house at the facility, sponsoring educational events for the community, and organizing a craft fair with exhibit sites in the community to showcase art pieces made by residents.

If you would like a brochure or other information on the Residents' Bill of Rights, please contact your local Ombudsman, Nancy Hawkins, Rhonda Monroe, Jessica Winters, Jamie Guay, Sandy Dunagan, or Kim Bridges at (864) 242-9733.

Growth Levels Off  

in Greenville County's

Apartment Market

Following a year of robust growth in Greenville's conventional apartment market, the 2010 Greenville County Apartment Community Survey revealed that construction - though ongoing - had leveled off.   

The completion of The Preserve at Westview in Greer added 216 units to the county's inventory of conventional units, while construction of the Verandas at the Point, near I-85 and Woodruff Road, added 349 new units. These figures stand in contrast to 2009's "new unit" count, as an astonishing 1,755 new units were added, distributed among eight developments located across the county.  Among the properties surveyed for this report, the overall occupancy rate for conventional units was reported to be 94.8 percent.

Two additional conventional apartment properties were under construction at the time of the 2010 survey.  Upon completion, Riverwalk at RiverPlace will add 44 new units to downtown Greenville's West End, and the Enclave at Paris Mountain will add 244 new units to the northwest portion of the county.

This survey also reports on rental units having some correlation between the tenant's income and residence eligibility or the amount of rent paid.  Due to limited funding, development of new "income-dependent" properties rarely occurs at the same level as in the conventional market.  These developments typically consist of fewer units, and oftentimes they serve to replace substandard developments that have been torn down. 

The 2010 report revealed the addition of 72 new income-dependent units through the completion of Forestview Apartments in the Heritage Community (the location of the former Jesse Jackson Townhomes).  Another income-dependent community - The Parker at Cone (64 units) - was under construction off Buncombe Street at the time of the survey. Three additional communities were in the planning stages - Legacy Oaks (56 units), Pelham Village (60 units) and Cloverfield Estates (48 units) - and upon completion, they will collectively add 164 new units to the county's income-dependent inventory.  The overall occupancy rate for the income-dependent properties surveyed was reported to be 96.3 percent.

The Appalachian Council of Governments produces this one-of-a-kind survey annually for Greenville County and biennially for Anderson and Spartanburg Counties.  This unique report contains an inventory and analysis of all known conventional and "income-dependent" apartment properties with forty or more units. For more information, or to purchase a copy of this publication, please contact the Information Services Department at 242-9733.  This report is also available for online purchase at www.scacog.org by clicking on the "Publications" link.

The ADC provided Appalachian Loan Fund (ALF) financing to Foothills Properties, LLC, which serves as a real estate holding company for Diversified Systems, Inc.  Diversified Systems, Inc is a venture owned by Furman Burgess that designs and manufactures custom automated machinery relating to the textile industry. Examples of it products include tenter frames and chains, winders, inspection machines, guiders, roll packaging machinery and other similar types of textile production machinery. 

Diversified Systems, started in 1990, was established to give its customers an opportunity to purchase custom manufacturing equipment from an American Company and has been in business for over twenty years, all under the direction of Mr. Burgess.  Due to growth, the company was in need of additional space; so, Mr. Burgess approached Bank of Travelers Rest and ADC to accommodate the company's need for larger warehousing and storage facilities.

The company grew too large for its current the facility on Perry Avenue in Greenville and could not continue to use it as both a manufacturing and warehousing facility.  To solve the problem, they purchased a former manufacturing facility at 209 Harris Ave in Greenville, SC.  They will continue to operate the production facility at Perry Avenue and will use the new facilities on Harris Avenue for the warehousing of finished products.  For additional storage, they also purchased the two adjoining lots to the Harris Avenue facility.

Over the last twenty years Mr. Burgess has built a successful business and has gained the reputation for excellent customer service and for timely, high-quality production.  The business will retain current employment and increase employment by eight full-time positions within the next two years.

For questions about available loans, please contact the Appalachian Development Corporation at (864) 382-2350.