The City of Greenville launched a dynamic initiative to encourage entrepreneurs, executives and founders to start, grow and keep their businesses in the city and surrounding area. “From Here You Can Change the World” is a bold statement, but Greenville knows it can back it up.
Developed with the support of local business and economic development groups, the marketing initiative will promote the city’s unique, collaborative, supportive and very pro-business entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“We collaborate, we cooperate, we support. Our city understands the mindset of the entrepreneur. We know they don’t just want to make money. They want to make a difference,” said Greenville City Manager John McDonough.
From Here You Can Change the World will educate founders, both local and national, about available tools, including funding resources, incubators and accelerator programs, coaching and mentorship opportunities, networking events, business start-up and growth resources, economic development organizations and dozens of co-working spaces. It will create a one-stop-shop for entrepreneurs and founders and provide evidence that Greenville is primed, ready and waiting to help them drive innovation and be successful.
“Despite the excellent work being done by all of the Upstate Economic Development organizations, we saw a need for a singular message to cut through the clutter and speak directly to entrepreneur,” McDonough said.
The campaign kicked off on September 2 with an event featuring speakers that included Mayor Knox White, City of Greenville City Manager John McDonough, Venture Pitch Carolina President Alex Estevez, Furman University President Dr. Elizabeth Davis, Clemson University Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Dr. Mark Johnson, Greenville Chamber of Commerce President Carlos Phillips and City of Greenville director of economic development Merle Johnson and featuring testimonials from local entrepreneurs. Guests included more than 250 local business, government, economic development and educational leaders.
“Greenville knows how to get things done,” said Merle Johnson, City of Greenville director of economic development. “We have an unsurpassed spirit of collaboration that allows others to make a difference, create tangible impact and leave their mark. The entrepreneurs are the stars of the show; we’re just here to bring all our resources to bear to help them live up to their fullest potential.”
From Here You Can Change the World seeks to capitalize on Greenville’s growing reputation as a destination of choice and is framed through the perspective of entrepreneurs already thriving in Greenville using their stories to illustrate what’s possible here. It showcases our quality of life, cultural amenities, cost of living and the environment, in addition to what founders will get here.
The From Here You Can Change the World initiative includes:
- A website with testimonials, resources, events, programming, jobs, etc.
- Local and national advertising
- Entrepreneur and founder profiles
- Social media channels
- Local and national public relations and media outreach
- Content delivery, including a planned newsletter, podcasts, and a blog
- Branded collateral and presentation materials for prospects and media targets
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