Simple Civics: Greenville County

Latest Episodes:

Small Town, Big Impact: Female Leadership in Travelers Rest Mar 25, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Home Economics: Why Our Housing Market is Out of Reach and What We can Do About It Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Inside SCTAC: Greenville's $6.1 Billion Economic Powerhouse Mar 11, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Understanding Ranked Choice Voting: A Simple Explanation Mar 04, 2025

Show notes

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.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Partisan Voter Registration: What Would It Mean in South Carolina Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Get a clear, nonpartisan explanation of South Carolina's primary election system and proposals to change it.

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.

Understanding Proposals to Change South Carolina Primaries Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Big changes could be coming to South Carolina's primary voting system and the way you register to vote. Learn about the five new bills that could impact how SC residents vote in primaries, including closed primary proposals and ranked-choice voting options. Today we break down the proposed changes to SC's primary voting system. This episode explores how these proposals compare to other states' systems and what they could mean for SC voters.

Links:

Bills:

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3589.htm

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3310.htm

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3396.htm

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/3643.htm

https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=109

National Conference of State Legislatures primary elections types:

https://www.ncsl.org/elections-and-campaigns/state-primary-election-types

Produced by Podcast Studio X.

Simple Civics: Greenville County is a project of Greater Good Greenville.

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Support Simple Civics with a tax-deductible contribution.

Understanding Campaign Finance Reporting Requirements in South Carolina Feb 11, 2025

Show notes

Thinking of running for office or helping on a campaign in South Carolina? In this episode, expert Leigh McGill with Campaign Ethics Consulting Services breaks down the basics of campaign finance reporting. Learn about required disclosures, contribution limits, common pitfalls to avoid, and why it pays to get professional guidance from the start.

Links:

Connect with Leigh McGill: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leigh-mcgill-03aba099/

Campaign Ethics Consulting Services: https://www.campaignethicssc.com/

South Carolina Ethics Commission website: https://ethics.sc.gov/

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.

Show Me the Money: How Campaigns Are Funded Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

Ever wonder how all those political ads and mailers get paid for? Explore the complex world of campaign finance with nonprofit leader John Tynan. Learn the difference between PACs, super PACs, 501(c)(4)s, and more - and how to follow the money trail as an informed voter.

Links:

Connect with John Tynan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-tynan-1446b34b/

South Carolina State Ethics Commission: https://ethics.sc.gov/

Conservation Voters of South Carolina: https://www.cvsc.org/

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.

Pothole Politics: Understanding Roads Repairs and Government Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

Ever wondered how to get that pesky pothole fixed? We talk with GP McLeer, Mayor of Fountain Inn and director of Upstate Mobility Alliance to break down the complex world of local government and transportation. Learn who's responsible for roads, how projects get prioritized, and what you can do to advocate for improvements in your community.

Links:

SCDOT's "Who Owns My Road?" interactive map website: https://ris.scdot.org/RoadwayInformationStreetFinder.aspx

SCDOT Project Viewer Map website: https://www.scdot.org/business/projectviewer.html

GPATS (Greenville Pickens Area Transportation Study) website: https://www.gpats.org/

SCDOT STIP (State Transportation Improvement Program) website: https://www.scdot.org/inside/planning-stip.html

SPATS (Spartanburg Area Transportation Study) website: https://www.spatsmpo.com/

ACATS (Anderson Clemson Area Transportation Study) website: https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/anderson-area-transportation-study/

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.

What to Expect on County Council in 2025 with Chairman Benton Blount Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Benton Blount, the newly elected Greenville County Council Chairman, sits down to discuss his priorities for 2025. He covers hot topics like the county budget, fixing roads, the Unified Development Ordinance, and how to improve transparency and build public trust. Get an inside look at the challenges and opportunities ahead for Greenville County.

Links:

Previous episode with Benton Blount: https://simplecivicsgreenvillecounty.org/learning-as-they-lead-reflections-from-the-heart-of-public-service/

Benton Blount Website: https://www.greenvillecounty.org/Council/CouncilMember.aspx?m=BentonBlount

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.