UPSTATE FOREVER

In 2024, land planning and policy staff engaged with local elected and appointed officials and government staff on issues related to smarter land development, with a primary focus on advancing policies that implement city and county comprehensive plans. They partnered on education and advocacy efforts with transit and housing advocates and facilitated a citizens planning academy to educate residents on local land use policies and avenues to influence decision-making. Social media and dedicated email lists were used to engage and activate residents. The organization supported the adoption of a new city of greenville development code, a unified development ordinance in the city of greer, a new zoning ordinance in the city of woodruff, and an improved tree and landscaping ordinance in the city of anderson. Citizens were mobilized to influence the city of greenville's proposed development code and to advance strengthened requirements for riparian buffers in greenville county. The organization also participated in other local planning and policy efforts in the city of spartanburg and spartanburg county.

Other work of upstate forever includes advocacy for projects that impact the upstate community including the partnership to advance the saluda grade rail trail project, administration of the upstate land conservation fund (ulcf), the energy and state policy program that maintains a legislative focus of keeping upstate citizens aware of issues that affect daily life and the health of the upstate community.