Dr. Audrey Grant (retired educator), and Mr. Steve Wunder (President, Duer/Carolina Coil), have graciously accepted the position of Co-Chairs of The 40/30 Challenge Steering Committee.

The 40/30 Challenge Steering Committee has met twice this summer to identify the core strategies that will help us meet our objective: By the year 2030, 40% of our residents age 25+ will have a post secondary or baccalaureate degree.  Action Teams have been formed to develop high level action steps for each of the core strategies. 

 

There are six Action Teams which focus on: the leadership neccessary to guide this project, funds needed to make college accessible for our citizens, high quality jobs to support the population, return to learn opportunities for those who may want to further their education, making sure students who graduate from high school are prepared for college, and fostering a county wide culture that values educational attainment.  Each of these groups will identify the core benchmarks needed to measure our success and the resources that are both existing and needed to accomplish our objective.  We expect to have a final draft of the Strategic Plan by the end of the year.

We have been working very hard this summer and are making great progress with The 40/30 Challenge.  To spread the message, informational meetings have been scheduled with the Mayors and Town Councils of each of Spartanburg's municipalities to overview the vision of the 40/30 Challenge and to gain an understanding of the opportunities present in each area of our County.  Meetings have already taken place in Landrum, Inman, Pacolet, Cowpens, Woodruff, Duncan, Lyman, Wellford, Campobello and Boiling Springs, and great feedback was received from each Council. 

These meetings are allowing us to spread the message of the 40/30 Challenge and encouraging our community's leadership to jump on board and help us meet this goal.  This initiative is picking up speed, and we are all excited about what is to come.  Stay tuned!