Proterra Inc., which develops and assembles fuel cell hybrid-powered transit vehicles, has announced that it will locate a facility for R&D and assembly of its products at CU-ICAR here in Greenville.

“This new facility will be our first full-scale, state-of-the-art research and development and manufacturing facility for our groundbreaking clean transportation solutions. Several months ago, Proterra retained the help of eRealty Companies Inc. and NPB Capital to assist in the site selection process. After a nationwide search involving some 30 states, we selected Greenville, South Carolina, as a result of the state’s numerous benefits in terms of work force capabilities and research and development support. Additionally, we were impressed by the efforts of the governor, the federal delegation, the local officials and economic development entities which far exceeded our expectations. We look forward to continuing a long and fruitful level of collaboration with the state of South Carolina and City of Greenville.”

“We are very excited to pursue the next stage of Proterra’s manufacturing and development in Greenville” – Jeff Granato,
CEO of Proterra Inc.

Proterra and its partners design, develop and assemble all-electric and battery-dominant hybrid drive solutions and complete vehicles for commercial applications, including transit, school and commercial buses; parcel delivery vehicles; and other class 4-8 trucks. Its revolutionary BE-35 fast charge battery electric transit bus has been tested at the FTA’s Altoona Center as achieving between 17 – 21 mpg (diesel equivalent), a roughly 500% improvement over conventional diesel buses. Proterra’s very first vehicle, a battery-dominant fuel cell-hybrid transit bus funded by the transit administration, is already in service here in Columbia, even though Proterra is headquartered in Golden, Colo., at the Coors Technology Center.

In April 2009, independent verification at the Altoona Test Track resulted in 17.5 to 29.5 MPGe diesel fuel equivalent. Additionally, Proterra is currently recognized by the California Air Resource Board as the only company that meets zero-emission bus technology (Zbus) with a battery electric bus.

Clemson University President James F. Barker said the announcement brings one of the nation’s most innovative transportation companies to Upstate South Carolina.

“This is exciting news for Clemson University, for Greenville, and for South Carolina,” Barker said. “Proterra is an innovative, dynamic company that brings a new dimension to the CU-ICAR campus. Its product and processes fit the CU-ICAR curriculum and our program-driven campus perfectly. We look forward to a great partnership.”

Proterra anticipates that it will invest $68 million and create 1,300 new jobs over the next seven years in Greenville County. The company will require a variety of skilled workers to support functions, such as mechanical assembly, warehouse, logistics, management, engineering and quality assurance.

The Department of Commerce has approved Proterra for the Job Development Credits program, which is a performance-based incentive directly related to new job creation and new capital investment. Additionally, the department will make two grants to Greenville County totaling $3 million to assist with site preparation and infrastructure improvements for the project.

Proterra will lease 25 acres in CU-ICAR’s Technology Neighborhood Three to construct a 240,000-square-foot building initially, with potential expansion into the entire 50-acre site. Construction is expected to begin later this spring.

Information regarding Proterra is available online at www.proterraonline.com. For more information about CU-ICAR, visit www.cuicar.com.

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From the Greenville County blog

You can help build and maintain the growing Greenville County Greenways network by purchasing a 25′ section of the GHS Swamp Rabbit trail for $25.00.

For your tax-deductible support, you will receive a certificate of ownership listing the exact GPS coordinates of your section(s). The Greater Greenville Parks Foundation site assures us that 90% of the monies received will be used to directly mobilize public support and financial resources for public parks, trails, and recreational opportunities in our community.

The Swamp Rabbit Trail is constantly being updated, but you can visit the Greenville Rec site to get the latest map of the trail. Just yesterday, the Greenville News listed several updates coming to the trail soon:

1. Northside Park’s Otter Creek Water Park opens in May.
2. 13.5-acre Loretta Wood Park opens this spring in Princeton.
3. A park showcasing 101-year-old Campbell’s Covered Bridge opens this spring.
4. Lakeside Park’s Seventh Inning Splash Water Park with a giant funnel slide opens in May.
5. Seven athletic fields open this spring at Greenville Technical College Northwest campus, Berea.
6. Cedar Falls 95-acre passive park on Reedy River paddling trail may open this year. Two new sites will provide public access to the river.
7. Greenville Hospital System Swamp Rabbit Trail four-mile segment opens May 7, and completes the paved Greenville-Travelers Rest greenway.
8. Dog parks at Pelham Mill Park and The Pavilion open this spring. Pavilion improvements include: lighted athletic field, playground, Bounce House (indoor children’s play area), and upgraded parking.
9. Pleasant Ridge Camp and Retreat Center opens in May. Camp Spearhead is for individuals with special needs, Greenville Children’s Hospital System’s Camp Courage is for children with cancer and blood disorders.

Meanwhile, be sure to checkout our updated map of Greenville County parks, and as soon as this cold weather lets up, we’ll see you on the Swamp Rabbit Trail!

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From the Greenville County blog

The report provides data gathered from library staff members in the U.S. to determine how libraries are employing a variety of Web 2.0 and social networking tools to promote library programs and services, according to SC.gov.

As can be expected, Facebook was far and away the favorite Web2.0 tool of choice for social media participants. Be sure to follow our Facebook page for Greenville County information pertaining to you and your community.

CREDIT: SC.GOV

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From the Greenville County blog

Indeed, the turn of the century apexed high-times here in Greenville County. For 20 years, Greenville outperformed the U.S. in income growth and the quality of life here steadily rose because of it.

A’las, “what goes up, must come down”, and Greenville County has lost over $1.3 billion in spendable income every year since to prove it.

Timing is on our side now though: Greenville Chamber President and CEO Ben Haskew has a plan to return Greenville County to it’s glory days.

With a budget of $4,000,000, ACCELERATE! has been crafted to build economic momentum for us all. The 5-year program reinforces the Chamber’s vision “to build one of the premiere business communities in the world” and aligns with it’s 4 missions:

1. Collaboration – ACCELERATE! partners with regional economic stakeholders.
2. Community Prosperity – ACCELERATE! spurs entrepreneurial success, quality job growth and improved educational attainment.
3. Voice Of Business – ACCELERATE! ensures that critical business issues are communicated with state and local elected officials.
4. Quality Of Life – ACCELERATE! provides resources for addressing unexpected, mission-critical issues that impact the area’s standard of living.

We can expect increased tax revenues, but with it comes greater resources for community priorities, and a significantly higher standard of living.

With GSP making LEED improvements to the airport and focusing on attracting a new low-cost air carrier, it will encourage more businesses to move to the Upstate. Other plans in the works include: attracting a full-time graduate business school to Greenville, supporting THRIVE, and creating a meaningful Opportunity Resource Fund.

For more information, contact:

Jay Werth, Project Director
Greenville Chamber
864-239-3748
jwerth@greenvillechamber.org
Accelerate Greenville

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From the Greenville County blog

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of South Carolina is a consortium of 4 universities which operate a state office and 15 regional / area centers around the state. These centers offer a variety of services and management training courses tailored to meet the needs of SMBs. SBDC consultants at each site provide management and technical assistance to those wishing to start or expand an enterprise.

Topics for the event include how to set-up a business, forms of business organization, an overview of financial statements, general legal requirements, the elements of an effective business plan, financing options, and how to improve the odds of success. This practical program is designed to help you ask the right questions and find the most important information to make informed business decisions.

Pre-registration and $25 are required.

Thursday, January 28th, at 6:30 – 8:00
University Center, 225 S. Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville
Call 864.370.1545 or email sbostic@clemson.edu for more information.

The South Carolina Small Business Development Center (SBDC) operates in partnership and is partially funded under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration through such funding does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of the cosponsor(s) or participants’ opinions, products or services. All SBDC programs are nondiscriminatory and available to individuals with disabilities.

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From the Greenville County blog

The funds, awarded through FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program, more than double what we received last year, which is needed now more than ever with many students going homeless here amid the recession.

The number of children in SC without a regular home has risen more than 45% since 2007.

FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program Allocation to Greenville County, SC for 2010

For more information on the EFSP grants for 2010, visit the United Way’s EFSB Current Award website.

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From the Greenville County blog

With a G.E. plant here in the Upstate going full-throttle manufacturing wind turbines and now a wind research site at the Clemson Restoration Institute in North Charleston, we may see wind-powered turbines off SC sooner than you think.

Clemson landed a $45 million grant back in November from the DOE to test wind turbines, and this Wednesday’s 4-1 vote from our Budget and Control Board sets the state’s portion of that money into motion.

“We are at the beginning of a journey that will end with one of the world’s most important sites for wind energy research and development based in South Carolina.”
– Nick Rigas director and senior scientist at CRI

Clemson’s Angela Leidinger said they have letters from wind turbine manufacturers General Electric and Siemens saying they will use the new facility when it’s available in about 3 years. With 60% of the current market already, it’s no wonder Gov. Sanford was the only vote against the deal.

With plenty of in-state wind turbine manufacturing going on, South Carolina is poised to take a giant leap into the GREEN marketplace. Our residents are hungry for work, and our ports are the perfect launching point for customers over seas.

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From the Greenville County blog

Tournament organizers will receive a check for $30,000 from the PGA TOUR to enhance the tournament’s charitable endeavors.

Earlier, the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation announced it had raised $651,829 for 78 organizations as a result of last year’s tournament.

The next BMW Charity Pro-Am in Greer, S.C. is May 10-16 for a purse of $600,000.

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From the Greenville County blog

The founders, Tim Malcolm and Kristen L’Orange, will spend today volunteering at the center, located at 1102 Howard Drive in Simpsonville – one stop of many across every state until the end of February.

According to their Mission Statement, the Center for Community Services makes multiple non-profit agency services accessible to individuals and families in need.

We are honored to add The Center for Community Services to our growing Greenville County charities page – a quick-stop location for multiple charities, non-profits, and volunteer & community-oriented organizations throughout Greenville County.

If you’d like your organization listed (no-charge), just let us know.

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From the Greenville County blog

“More care does not necessarily mean better care.”
– Gerard Anderson, a professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

To make matters worse here in South Carolina, we ranked among the worst states in the nation this week for smoking prevention efforts, according to a new report by the American Lung Association, just as our State lawmakers are back in session talking about our lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax issue.

Here are some of the A.L.A. findings:

• Tobacco prevention and control spending. GRADE: F
  Why: S.C. spends $3 million on smoking prevention or 5 percent of what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends.
• Cigarette tax. GRADE: F
  Why: At 7 cents a pack it is the lowest in the nation. Higher cigarette taxes mean fewer people take up the habit, studies show.
• Cessation coverage: GRADE: F
  Why: State doesn’t force private insurers to cover smoking prevention.
• SOURCE: American Lung Association

Well, now you know how the American Lung Association rates our anti-smoking efforts. btw: South Carolina was one of six states to earn all “Fs.”

Bottom line, we have a long way to go on the health care front – both nationally and here in Greenville County. This Tuesday, you have a chance to make a difference in your life by registering with Activate Greenville.

Over the next four years, Activate Upstate will use a $360,000 grant to coordinate a grassroots planning process with the Berea, Nicholtown and Sterling communities to identify environmental and policy changes needed to support good health.

• Activate Upstate’s Kickoff Rally 2010 is Jan. 19, 4:30-7 p.m.
• Carolina First Center, Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville.
• For more information, visit: www.activategreenville.org or call: 864-242-1111.

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From the Greenville County blog