August 31, 2009

CLEAN DIESEL TECHNOLOGY TO HELP "SPARE THE AIR" IN GREENVILLE COUNTY

Greenville County continues to lead local efforts to improve air quality. The county has been awarded $37,200 from SCDHEC to pursue a clean diesel technologies project.

The project takes a multi-faceted approach beginning with installing clean diesel technologies to the county's landfill fleet and extending the clean diesel message out to private organizations, colleges/universities, businesses, and other local governments.

"We are leading by example," says Greenville County Planner Dan Powell. "It has been estimated that more than 60% of vehicle emissions in the United States are caused by diesel trucks and off-road vehicles,"

Greenville County's clean diesel project will reduce diesel emissions, a major contributor of particle matter 2.5 (PM2.5) and ground level ozone (O3) in the Upstate of South Carolina. Work scope includes updating most of the diesel fleet at the county's landfill with clean diesel technology. Such upgrades include the installation of DOC, Diesel Oxidation Catalysis, CCV, Closed Crankcase Ventilation Systems, and one engine repower.

"By initiating this program, Greenville County is taking a proactive initiative prior to the 2012 EPA regulations for off-road emissions," says Sandra Yudice, coordinator of Greenville County's award winning "Spare the Air" program.

The "Spare the Air in Greenville County: Improving Air Quality in Greenville County" campaign, has been lauded by the EPA for its beneficial impact on the environment and is viewed as a creative program that the EPA believes should be duplicated in other areas of the country. The addition of the clean diesel project further strengthens the county's role as a leader in air quality control.

"We have a wonderful quality of life in Greenville County," says Greenville County Administrator Joe Kernell. "Our County's pioneering and proactive efforts to improve air quality and educate the public on these efforts help assure that we remain a thriving and healthy place to work and live."

The Greenville County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) has recently embarked on a multimodal transit corridor alternatives feasibility study for a future high capacity transit system between the cities of Greenville, Mauldin, Simpsonville, and Fountain Inn in Greenville County, South Carolina. The focus of the study is a discontinued freight rail line right-of-way corridor of approximately 3 ½ miles long owned by the GCEDC. Various transit and bikeway options are being considered.

Your input is important. Please attend the upcoming public meeting and let us know what you think!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Open House - 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Conference Room "D" at County Square - 301 University Ridge, Greenville, South Carolina

Questions?

Contact TranSystems Corporation, gmtrimarco@transystems.com, 864-527-6858

June 16,2009

Survey Says

-86% are extremely satisfied or satisfied with Greenville County's "quality of life"

-Growth and Development, Economic Development, and Transportation are the three most important topics that should be addressed by "Imagine Greenville County"

The above results are a small sampling of information obtained from Greenville County's extensive "Imagine Greenville County" survey. The survey was conducted during the fall of 2008 using a modified Dillman technique that randomly selected property owners throughout Greenville County for participation. The sampling size and response was declared "good," with a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

The results of the survey provide public information for development of the "Imagine Greenville County" Comprehensive Plan, establish baseline measurements for future comparison, benchmark attitudes and perceptions regarding key Greenville County issues, and provide ideas for future services.

The sixty question survey addressed nine major areas and also provided space for informative (and entertaining) citizen comments. The survey reveals a large majority of residents are pleased with Greenville County's quality of life and also shows an overwhelming support for clean air and water. There is a desire for recruitment of more "high tech" jobs, and an expressed need for more recreational options. Results in the "Transportation" category tell of a need for improvements in public transit, sidewalk networking, and bike paths.

Responses to the open ended question, "What should Greenville County be twenty years from now?" included the following:

"A stronger version of what it is now, a wholesome family community."

"Not Atlanta!"

"The place everyone wants to live."

"A county proud to be a 'small' county."

"A much larger, diverse county."

Complete results are available on line at

http://www.imaginegreenville.com/common_files//Survey%20Report.pdf

May 20, 2009

Balanced Budget Presented to Greenville County Council

On Tuesday May 19th County Administrator Joe Kernell presented to Greenville County Council a "fiscally sound" biennium budget for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. The budget calls for no tax increases, preserves the County's prestigious Triple-A bond rating, adds personnel in Public Safety, and exceeds the need for adequate reserves.

"It's a good budget that fulfills the County's mission of service," says Council Chairman Butch Kirven.

Mr. Kirven says the County's recent history of solid, conservative fiscal planning put Greenville County in position to deal with the current economic slowdown.

Joe Kernell agrees, adding that the County is not immune to fiscal pressures and had to adjust to severe cuts coming from the Statehouse in Columbia. "In my more than 20 years in public service, this was the most challenging budget, but in the end it is the most satisfying."

"It's amazing that during this economy we have a balanced budget," says Councilor Joe Dill.

Mr. Dill's comments were echoed by Councilor Judy Gilstrap, who says she was "scared" the worldwide recession would put strains on the County budget, but now is "thrilled that we have an outstanding budget."

It's a budget that supports economic development through funding of the GADC and Upstate Alliance, and also increases funding for public transportation by increasing financial support of Greenlink.

A balanced budget that increases service to citizens during a time of economic uncertainty was enough to make Councilor Fred Payne exclaim "I thank God I live in Greenville County, South Carolina."

The budget is up for second reading at the June 2nd County Council meeting.