Greenville County: Moving Forward In Freedom

Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 6-6-25

Greenville County Meetings (July 7th & 8th, 2025)

Monday, July 7

• 5:00 PM – Finance Committee (Committee Meeting Room)

Tuesday, July 8

• 3:00 PM – Impact Fees Workshop (Council Chambers)

  • Joint workshop with Planning Commission

• 5:00 PM – Public Communication Forum (Committee Meeting Room)

All meetings are held at County Square – 301 University Ridge, Greenville.

Agendas, documents, and livestream links are available on the County Council calendar

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Independence Day Celebrations In Greenville County

This Fourth of July weekend, Greenville County lit up with spectacular fireworks displays, cutting-edge drone light shows, lively festivals, and family-friendly gatherings that brought our community together in a spirit of unity and celebration. From neighborhood cookouts to large-scale public events, residents enjoyed a safe and joyful holiday across the county.

A massive gratitude to our dedicated Sheriff’s Office, EMS teams, local fire departments, and law enforcement across the county.

Your visible presence and readiness allowed families to celebrate freely and safely, knowing professionals were watching over the crowds. Thank you for your constant and relentless service, and thank you to all citizens and visitors of Greenville County for helping ensure that this celebration of our Independence was safe and enjoyable for all!

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Business Spotlight: Upstate Mobility

As Greenville County continues to grow, ensuring residents have access to critical mobility resources is essential to supporting an inclusive and connected community. Upstate Mobility, located in Taylors, is a family-owned business providing specialized mobility equipment and repair services to residents across the Upstate.

Their offerings include power wheelchairs, mobility scooters, lift chairs, and rollators, along with maintenance and rental options for short-term needs. For many in our county, these resources are not a luxury but a lifeline, allowing individuals to maintain independence and participate fully in daily life. Upstate Mobility also assists customers with navigating insurance reimbursements, which can significantly offset the cost of these devices.

I believe companies like this are crucial to the well-being of our region. Their work complements our broader mobility efforts in transportation and accessibility and ensures that the people who need personal mobility solutions can find them locally and reliably.

On a personal note, this issue resonates with me directly. My mother has faced significant mobility challenges, and the lack of comparable services in her area of North Carolina has been a constant struggle for our family. Knowing that businesses like Upstate Mobility exist here in Greenville County gives me confidence that we are creating a supportive environment for all residents, regardless of age or ability.

As we continue to plan for the future of Greenville County, the presence of businesses like Upstate Mobility underscores the importance of partnerships that prioritize independence, dignity, and access for everyone.

If you would like to learn more, they are located at 2801 Wade Hampton Blvd in Taylors and online at upstatemobility.com

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Infrastructure Update: South Hudson Street Bridge Reconstruction

On July 7, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) will begin a full reconstruction of the South Hudson Street bridge over the Reedy River, near Unity Park. The current structure, heavily damaged during Hurricane Helene in late September 2024, will be demolished and replaced with a new, resilient bridge. The estimated budget for the project is $3.7 million, and it’s expected to take approximately eight months, with completion targeted by July 31, 2026.

What’s included?

• Full demolition and replacement of the bridge.

• Drainage improvements and new sidewalks to support pedestrian safety.

• Connections to the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail .

SCDOT closed the bridge after Hurricane Helene left it structurally compromised in late 2024. A small right-of-way parcel (0.028 acres) was purchased from Greenville County Schools on May 27, ensuring construction can begin as planned.

Traffic impact & detour guidance

• The bridge will remain closed until the work concludes in mid‑2026.

• Expect increased travel times between downtown Greenville and surrounding areas. Motorists should follow posted detours on South Hudson Street and consider alternative routes like Augusta and Church streets.

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District 19: A Need To Reclaim Berea’s Historic Character

Over the past decade, Berea has been overwhelmed by a wave of townhome and apartment development that has changed the face of our community. Since joining County Council, I have made it my mission to listen to the people of Berea, who have made it absolutely clear that enough is enough.

I want you to know that I have not approved any rezonings that would result in additional townhome or apartment projects in Berea since taking office. Any multifamily developments you may have seen underway were made possible by zoning decisions that were in place before I was elected.

I understand that thriving local businesses depend on stable, long-term homeownership to succeed. With every rezoning request that comes across my desk, I keep that front and center. By supporting opportunities for homeowners instead of more high-density growth, we are creating the right environment for local businesses to invest and reinvest with confidence and serve our community for years to come.

Holding the line against more large-scale density is part of a deliberate strategy. By doing so, we are giving space for future homeowners and community-based businesses to gradually fill in the gaps, instead of watching them be overtaken by projects that do not reflect Berea’s values.

I will continue to do everything in my power to protect Berea’s character and guide growth in the direction that you have clearly and repeatedly asked for. One of the things that will drastically assist not only Berea, but all of District 19, is discussed in the next section.

District 19 has even harder challenges than other Districts acquiring direct local infrastructure funding, due to the fact that we have almost no municipalities. Impact Fees are a way to assist with this neglect and guarantee that as any new growth begins in our area, adequate infrastructure comes along with it, rather than years down the road on the backs of current property owners like the current model requires.

Keep reading to see where we are in that process!

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Impact Fees: A Continuing Conversation

Greenville County is growing by more than 20 people every single day. That growth brings a massive strain on roads, water, sewer, public safety, parks, and our schools.

This Tuesday, County Council and the Planning Commission will meet jointly with Carson Bise, one of the most respected impact fee consultants in America, with over 30 years of experience and more than 350 successful projects.

Greenville has seen phenomenal growth, bringing new opportunities, jobs, and vibrancy to our region. But I also know how much that growth has cost many of you who have lived here your entire lives: rising property taxes, crowded roads, and overburdened schools.

Impact fees are a fair way for growth to pay its own way, instead of shifting the bill to those who have already invested a lifetime in this community. This is one responsible option to take some of that pressure off current local homeowners.

I know that growth has brought positives, but it has also come at a cost to long-standing citizens. You deserve for us to explore every option that might offer you relief, and that includes an honest, fact-based discussion on impact fees.

That continues this week!

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Chairman’s Corner: “Home Rule”

One of my goals while serving on County Council is to help connect the dots on how your local government actually works. Often, terms you might hear at public meetings, or even in headlines, can seem vague or bureaucratic, even though they directly shape how decisions are made in Greenville County. One of those terms is “Home Rule.”

In simple language, Home Rule is the authority given to counties and cities by the South Carolina Constitution to manage local affairs without needing approval from the State Legislature for every local decision.

Before the Home Rule Act of 1975, counties in South Carolina were largely controlled by laws passed in Columbia. That meant almost every routine policy decision, budgets, ordinances, land use rules, had to flow through state lawmakers, even if it only affected local neighborhoods.

With Home Rule, much of that power was returned to counties and municipalities. It was based on the idea that the people closest to the problem are usually best positioned to solve it. Counties gained the right to make decisions on local ordinances, zoning, local taxes (within limits), public safety services, parks, and certain growth and development policies.

Why does this sometimes cause confusion?

I completely understand why residents who want to hold local government accountable might feel frustrated or confused. It can seem like counties are ignoring state law if they adopt local rules that are different from what people hear about statewide. In reality, though, Home Rule allows counties to adapt local policy in ways that fit their communities, as long as those local decisions don’t violate state law.

For example, someone might wonder why Greenville County can set up its own zoning regulations that differ from a neighboring county. They might assume we are ignoring a state rule, but in fact, Home Rule gives us the legal power to shape local land use rules.

Or, residents might question why County Council studies the possibility of impact fees or adopts specific development standards, assuming these require state approval. In truth, Home Rule gives us the right to manage growth locally, so long as we follow the frameworks outlined in state law.

When does Home Rule apply?

Here are a few examples of local policy areas where Home Rule is at work, and can sometimes be mistaken for ignoring state law:

• Zoning and land development – counties can design their own ordinances

• Animal control rules – counties can establish their own licensing or nuisance laws

• Funding for local libraries, parks, or recreation – driven by county budgets

• Public safety priorities – counties can shape service levels for fire, EMS, and law enforcement within their resources

• Road maintenance – in unincorporated areas, counties can make local investment decisions without consent from Columbia

While the state still holds important limits and guardrails (especially on school funding, constitutional rights, and statewide taxation), Home Rule empowers counties to be responsive and adaptable.

I believe an informed public is a strong public. My commitment is to try and help shine a light on these structures, so everyone in Greenville County understands how your government works, because at the end of the day, it is your government!

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Hopeful for another blessed and prosperous week for you and your families in Greenville County!