Partnership Alliance to work with prospects,
‘branding,’ tourism development in 2006

December 29, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Officials with the Partnership for a Greater Greenwood County & Economic Alliance are looking forward to a new year filled with healthy industrial and economic development opportunities for the city and county.
“(The year) 2006 is looking very, very strong for us on several different fronts,” said Jeff Fowler, CEO with the Partnership Alliance.
Fowler said the partnership, which provides leadership and financial support to improve economic growth and education achievement to enhance quality of life in the county, expects to see several announcements concerning new industrial development within the county.
Fowler said the area possibly could see larger industries and companies moving into Greenwood that would have a much greater effect on the community than just their initial employment and initial investment.
“These are the types of companies that are magnets for other companies,” Fowler said, adding that these firms would bring in the potential for future jobs.
Increasing industrial recruitment along with expanding existing industry is one of the main focuses of the Partnership Alliance, which has been in existence in Greenwood for several years. Workforce development is another major focus of the group. Fowler said the goal to develop comprehensive education and training initiatives designed to support the current and future needs of businesses and industry also will receive a major “push” in 2006.
Moving beyond just the workforce development programs that are going on in the school system, Fowler said the partnership wants to “tie the school system in to more of the programs we’re working with on a day-to-day basis” to aid area businesses.
Promoting Greenwood as a destination for tourists and retirees and improving commercial and retail development are also goals of the Partnership Alliance. Fowler said the group’s ability to blend and achieve these focuses by facilitating meetings between community and business leaders has been a significant achievement in 2005.
“We’ve been able to be that person that calls the meeting, and people have responded to that,” Fowler said.
During the past year, new industrial projects in the area have grown from five in 2004 to 16 in 2005, with the Partnership Alliance generating 11 of those projects. The area also has seen a 156 percent increase in new industrial leads — people who have projects and have expressed an interest in the area but have yet to visit — with the Partnership Alliance generating 35 percent of those leads. The Partnership Alliance also has generated a number of new commercial projects and leads, as well as existing industrial projects and leads.
Fowler said the group was able to accomplish this by studying different types of industry and using a recruiting technique that helped the Partnership Alliance identify priority industries for the area.
In the fall, the Partnership Alliance was able to help secure several grants for the area, including a $200,000 Rural Infrastructure Fund grant from the S.C. Department of Commerce and a $400,000 HUD Economic Development Initiative Appropriation grant.
Both grants will be used for renovations to the Federal Building and the creation of a Regional Visitor and Tourism office to be located in the building. The renovations are a part of the Emerald Triangle project, which is a phase of the City Center Master Plan.
Fowler said more trips to Washington are planned for 2006, with the intention of securing additional, more diversified funds for the Greenwood area.
In 2005, the Partnership Alliance also worked to create a new branding image for Greenwood, “Small Town Charm, Big City Business.” Fowler said the group has worked to attract residents, retirees and businesses into the Uptown area with events such as “Live After Five.”
“You’ve got all the charm in this area, all the things that those (typical) families and people in their 30s to 50s are looking for … You’ve got a foster environment for that here right now,” Fowler said. “That’s what we’re trying to get out and let people know.”

Holiday road trip

Rhodes family enjoys following Gamecocks to bowl games

December 29, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Some people will travel great lengths to watch their favorite team.
Greenwood’s Johnny Rhodes and his family are traveling about 1,500 miles.
The Rhodes’ are heading to Shreveport, La., to watch South Carolina play Missouri Friday in the Independence Bowl. The trip is about 750 miles each way and takes about 12 hours by car.
Included in the party is Rhodes, his wife Myra, as well as their daughters Taylor and Morgan, who are students at Greenwood Christian School.
Rhodes, who is retired from Solutia, is the president of the Greenwood chapter of the Gamecock Club. He has been a member of the club for 24 years and is a South Carolina football season ticket holder.
Rhodes has attended five of the last six bowl games the Gamecocks have played in the last 21 years, including the 1984 and ’87 Gator Bowls, the 1995 Carquest Bowl and the 2001 and ’02 Outback Bowls.
“We have always enjoyed the bowl games,” Rhodes said. “Most of them have been in Florida, so you get to enjoy the Florida weather. Plus, we get to watch Carolina play, which is something we love to do. It’s also interesting to get to see the opposing team, because it’s usually a team you don’t get to see that often.”
Rhodes said he particularly enjoyed the 1995 Carquest Bowl. That year, he and Myra took a charter flight, organized by USC, which flew them down to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the day of the game.
The couple was flown back to South Carolina that night, after the game.
“That was nice,” Rhodes said. “But we’ve driven to the rest of the bowl games, and we’re driving this year.”
Morgan and Taylor got their first taste of bowl games in the 2001-02 Outback Bowls. The sisters said they are excited about the trip to Louisiana.
“We’ve never been to Shreveport,” Morgan said.
“It’s a different kind of place for a bowl game. But it’s still exciting.”
This is the first time the family has visited the Shreveport area. Johnny Rhodes said he has been to New Orleans, but never to the northwest corner of Louisiana where the Shreveport-Bossier City area is situated.
Rhodes said he and his family are looking forward to getting there a day early, so they can tour the Louisiana Boardwalk. The Boardwalk is a development on the Red River in Shreveport that has a large selection of restaurants, bars, shops and a movie theater. It has become a popular attraction in the area.
According to Rhodes, the family might also attend a South Carolina pep rally tonight in Shreveport.
“We’re going to take it all in,” Rhodes said.
“It’s always good to have the whole family take a trip together during the holidays. Plus, we get a little break right after Christmas, let all the hype from that die down, then hit the road for the game.”
Rhodes said he has been pleased with the year South Carolina (7-4) has had so far.
He has been particularly impressed with coach Steve Spurrier. Spurrier arrived in Columbia with massive media hype, and, as far as Rhodes is concerned, has lived up to his billing.
“I’ve had a chance to meet with coach Spurrier,” Rhodes said. “He comes off as that cocky guy on TV, but he’s really down to earth and straight forward. He definitely gotten the team this year to overachieve.”
Myra Rhodes, a registered nurse, said there is one aspect of the trip she is seeking most.
“Winning,” she deadpanned, drawing a laugh from the rest of the family.
Johnny Rhodes admits he knows little about the Missouri Tigers (6-5), South Carolina’s Big 12 opponent.
He is aware of Mizzou's dual-threat quarterback Brad Smith, and acknowledges the Gamecocks will have to stymie his running and passing prowess if they hope to win the game.
“The good thing is, coach Spurier has had plenty of time to prepare,” Rhodes said. “I’m sure we’ve got a game plan ready for (Smith).”
One thing is for certain: South Carolina will once again be playing a big game against a team of Tigers.
“We’re always playing Tigers,” Rhodes said. “Whether it’s Clemson, Auburn, or LSU. But I think we’re going to beat these Tigers.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Opinion

Respecting other customs, celebrations all American

December 29, 2005

It would be wrong to think that many South Carolinians did not get offended over conscious efforts to substitute “Happy Holiday” for “Merry Christmas” this year. At the same time, though, most of them are perfectly delighted to hear greetings of “Happy Hanukkah” for their Jewish friends and “Happy Kwanza” for our black American neighbors who celebrate those holidays.
Don’t forget, many Americans celebrate Christmas and Kwanza, so it’s doubly important to them.
Of course, all three holidays are celebrated during the same season of the year so a variety of greetings is and should be expected.

THAT’S THE AMERICAN way, to be sure, and it’s customary in this “nation of immigrants” to extend to others the same kind of courtesy we expect others to extend to us. It doesn’t matter whether it is about religion or ethnic customs or any other special occasion, we have always respected the observances of other Americans.
If we fail to do that, how can we honestly expect others to respect our celebrations, whether we are Christians, Jews, Muslims, Shinto or anything else?
It’s a simple concept, really. It’s nothing more than living the Golden Rule where other Americans are concerned ….. and that applies to celebrations, holidays and every day. Most of all, it also applies to all people.

Obituaries

Eunice Nickles King

Greenville, SC — Eunice Nickles King, 92, of 10 Queen Ann Road, widow of Charles Harold King, died Tuesday, December 27, 2005.
Born April 5, 1913 in Greenwood, SC, she was the daughter of the late Thomas Newton and Hessie Miller Nickles.
She graduated as Valedictorian from Greenwood High School, Class of 1929 and was a 1933 graduate of Winthrop College, Magna Cum Laude. She taught at Cheraw High School, Cheraw, SC from 1933 until 1937.
Mrs. King was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and was active in other church activities. She also served on the Committee for Ministry of Foothills Presbytery.
Surviving are a daughter, Betsy Hicks and her husband, Dave of Hilton Head, SC; two sons: Charles H. King Jr. and his wife, Ginny of Basking Ridge, NJ and Tom King and his wife, Cesily of Spartanburg, SC. Also surviving are seven grandchildren: David Hicks of Chicago, IL, Cindy Young of San Mateo, CA, Hillary King of Charleston, SC, Alexandra King and Jessica King, both of Spartanburg, SC, Timothy King and Andrew King, both of Basking Ridge, NJ. Services will be conducted Friday, December 30, 2005 at 2:00 PM in Harper Chapel of First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Tim Leslie and Reverend Dr. Lewis Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:00 until 8:30 PM at The Mackey Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington Street, Greenville, SC 29601.
The Mackey Mortuary, Greenville, SC.
Paid Obituary

Robert Bernard Ouzts

SALUDA — Services for Robert Bernard Ouzts are 2 p.m. Friday at Mount Enon Baptist Church, conducted by Elder Lee H. Ouzts, assisted by the Revs. Johnny C. Gantt and Raymond Adams. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Pallbearers are cousins.
Flower bearers are cousins and friends.
Honorary pallbearers are band members and musicians.
The family is at the home of an aunt and uncle, Joe B. and Delois Mobley, 184 Wren Road.
Butler and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.