Trash pick up. EMS and 911 service. Roads and sidewalks. Business licenses. School bus routes. These are the things that impact your day-to-day life, and they a...
In Greenville County, an eviction filing follows you for life like a permanent tattoo - even if you win your case. With 20% of local renters facing eviction (compared to just 8% nationally), this crisis isn't just creating homelessness; it's costing landlords up to $5,000 per case and driving up housing costs for everyone. Experts Tina Belge and Mario Brown reveal why property owners and tenant advocates have surprisingly united around four key reforms that could transform evictions from "a cause of poverty" into an opportunity for community prosperity. The solutions are ready - but is Greenville? Links: Project Website - https://evictioningvlcounty.org/ Tina Belge bio - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-belge-mpa-aicp-b536b567 Mario Brown bio - https://www.affordableupstate.com/team/mario-e-brown "The Eviction Epidemic" Episode - https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/the-eviction-epidemic-unraveling-the-crisis-and-solutions-in-south-carolina/ "Understanding Evictions" Episode - https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/evictions-understanding-south-carolinas-rental-challenges-and-protecting-your-rights/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution. Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
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23:26
Small Town, Big Impact: Female Leadership in Travelers Rest
In a small town where Burger King's arrival was once celebrated as progress, Travelers Rest now stands as a remarkable anomaly in American governance - with women holding the positions of mayor, city administrator, and majority of the city council. How did this Greenville County community not only transform itself from a "pass-through town" to a coveted destination, but also defy national trends in which women hold just over 20% of chief local government positions? Mayor Brandy Amidon (who began her political journey at age 27) and City Administrator Shannon Herman reveal the surprising role older residents played in championing female leadership, the unexpected mentorship dynamics that shaped their careers, and the leadership principles that have created TR's unique "heartbeat" - a vibrant community where 85% of downtown businesses are now female-owned. Their insights challenge conventional wisdom about who builds thriving communities and how. Links: Brandy Amidon Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandy-amidon-701a7220/ Shannon Herman Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-herman-03a31ba/ International City-County Managers Association on Women in Leadership: https://icma.org/articles/pm-magazine/looking-back-fifty-years-aspirations-women-public-administration?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwY2xjawJNjRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVxLAE8zFHn61hg73_zl-cgNJQ8wu6MOCuU5x-IwIYakMHox0Wd2TP5sbw_aem_-LftpE057alspwn62YFECA Center for Women in Politics on Women in Leadership: https://cawp.rutgers.edu/facts/current-numbers _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution. Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
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24:50
Home Economics: Why Our Housing Market is Out of Reach and What We can Do About It
When your favorite barista, your child's teacher, and the firefighter who protects your home can no longer afford to live in your community - what kind of place will Greenville County become? Bryan Brown and Amber Stewart from Greenville Housing Fund reveal the surprising reality that 80% of our workforce earns below the area's median income, making housing increasingly out of reach. They dismantle common misconceptions about "affordable housing" while explaining how innovative tax incentives and thoughtful density planning are already transforming neighborhoods. Beyond policy talk, this conversation illuminates how our housing ecosystem connects everyone from service workers to retirees on fixed incomes, and why the places we call home determine the community we share. Listen to understand how your neighborhood's character, your favorite local businesses, and Greenville's future are all shaped by the housing decisions we make today. Links: Greenville Housing Fund Website: https://greenvillehousingfund.com/ Greenville Affordable Housing Coalition: https://greenvillehousingfund.com/greenville-affordable-housing-coalition/ House Bill H-4164 (Community Development Tax Credit reauthorization): https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1855825 Previous episode on affordable housing: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/getting-specific-about-affordable-housing-in-greenville/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution. Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
Did you know that just minutes from downtown Greenville, there's a business park that's driving our region's economy forward? In this episode, we sit down with Jody Bryson, the President and CEO of the South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC), to learn how this unique organization has become a magnet for top companies and high-paying jobs. Discover the fascinating history behind SCTAC, its $6.1 billion economic impact, and the exciting projects on the horizon, including a state-of-the-art automotive test track. Whether you're a business leader, a job seeker, or simply curious about what makes Greenville thrive, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Links: SCTAC Website: https://sc-tac.com/ Jody Bryson Bio: https://sc-tac.com/team-category/president-and-ceo/ Special Purpose Districts Podcast Episode: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/everything-you-need-to-know-about-special-purpose-districts-in-south-carolina/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution. Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
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26:20
Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: A Simple Explanation
Are you curious about ranked-choice voting and what it could mean for our elections? In this episode, election law expert Michael Dimino breaks down the basics of this intriguing alternative to our current system. You'll learn how ranked-choice voting works, its potential benefits and drawbacks, and how it's being used in some states and countries. Whether you're a political junkie or just looking to make sense of our electoral process, this episode offers valuable insights in an approachable way. Tune in and join the conversation! Links: Michael Dimino Bio: https://commonwealthlaw.widener.edu/academics/faculty/detail/13/ _ Produced by Podcast Studio X. Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville. Get in touch. Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution. Sign up for the Simple Civics newsletter.
Trash pick up. EMS and 911 service. Roads and sidewalks. Business licenses. School bus routes. These are the things that impact your day-to-day life, and they are all part of local government. But hardly anyone pays attention to local government - until they have a problem. We want to change that. Simple Civics: Greenville County is here to help you learn about and get involved in your local government in Greenville County, South Carolina. Whether you live in downtown Greenville or Possum Kingdom, Marietta or Mauldin, Greer or the Golden Strip, if you care about your community, this podcast is for you. Join us every Tuesday for simple civics lessons on local government in Greenville County, South Carolina.
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