Aug. 26, 2025
Tina Belge: Building Thriving Communities Throughout the State | EP 34
In this episode of the Carolina Business Leaders Podcast, we sit down with Tina Belge, the founder of Catalyst Community Consulting and an at-large candidate for the Greenville City Council. Tina discusses her passion for urban planning and affordable housing, her extensive involvement in the Greenville community, and her background, which includes navigating personal challenges that shaped her career path. Tina also discusses her vision for Greenville's future, emphasizing the need for smart growth, efficient transit systems, and maintaining the city's green spaces.
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Your premier HR outsourcing service provider for small to mid-sized businesses
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Thank you for tuning into the
Carolina Business Leaders
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Podcast where we share the
stories of local business
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leaders and impact makers who
are community focused and deeply
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rosed in the Carolinas.
Today's guest is Tina Belgy, a a
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passionate urban planner and
housing advocate.
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She is the founder of Catalyst
Community Consulting and is
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currently running for an at
large seat in the Greenville
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Greenville City Council with the
mission to bring inclusive
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community focused leadership to
local government.
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So, Tina, thanks for joining.
Us.
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Thank you for being here, Tina.
I'm glad we can share her name.
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Christina.
Tina.
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But you know who we're talking
to because she's using the
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nickname Tina.
That's right.
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That's fine.
Well.
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You've shared earlier that
you're from Augusta, but how
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long have you been in the
Greenville area?
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12 years sweet.
Yeah, so you've seen it grow.
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I mean obviously post code but
it's just like shot.
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Up well even before that so my
mom, she went to Daniel, my Papa
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Tucker Clemson.
I would go to like Clemson
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soccer camps.
And so when I was a kid we'd
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come for the zoo.
That's not it for Greenville.
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You.
Go to Columbia Zoo.
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Well, we did.
We mostly did.
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A.
But when I was a baby, like it
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was Greenville because that we
were close with our, you know,
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family parents.
So and then I saw it again and I
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visited again very frequently in
high school and in college and
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just I fell in love with
Greenville.
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And I thought, OK, once I get
out of school, I'm going to come
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right back here.
And we've been ever since.
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Yeah, she can relate.
She's a huge advocate for
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Greenville.
Yeah, I mean, I'm born and
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raised, so there's not many of
us that are left, but this place
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is amazing, amazing.
And I've seen it grown, you
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know, my whole entire life.
He got here in high school and
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you've even seen some grades in
Greenbelt.
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If you're running a small to mid
size business, you know there's
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simply not enough hours in a day
to take care of all your
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business needs.
From managing health insurance
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to payroll, procurement,
advertising, you're going to
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need some help to get that
initial momentum going.
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That's why I would partner with
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But with all that being said,
there's a lot of good things
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happening here.
So what would you say is your
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favorite thing about Greenville
or your favorite part of
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Greenville?
I love two things.
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I love the environment.
I love our trees.
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I love like you can go to the
mountains like Joe Cassie.
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I mean, it's talking about
Greenville County.
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Beautiful though.
Like my favorite spot, but I
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love the people like most, you
know, importantly, I think like
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we have a great art scene.
We've got funky, cool small
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businesses and I don't know,
it's got a great thriving, you
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know, philanthropic arm and
everybody's very community
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centered.
I feel like that.
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Yeah, I think it's cool too with
Greenville.
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It really is so green like in
the downtown area.
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I was just going to say that we
were thinking about the other
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day, was it us?
It was talking.
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I couldn't remember who I was
talking to, but someone, maybe
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it was you, was saying
Greenville is really living out
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the green in Greenville.
I mean, it's just everything's
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green and gorgeous right now,
which is amazing.
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So glad that you mentioned that
because this place is truly
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beautiful.
Yes.
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So you're obviously very
involved in Greenville running
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for City Council, Yes.
Talk about some of the things
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that you're involved with here
in the community.
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Sure.
I'm currently HOA President for
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Twin Lake Cottages and Pete on
the board of our PTA at Summit
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Dr. Elementary.
It's a, you know my 6 year old
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goes there.
So that's a big part of it goes
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eagles.
I also serve on state some
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statewide boards in South
Carolina women's affordable
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housing network very involved
with 10 at the top, which is,
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you know, kind of a professional
planning organization and just
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have volunteered on county parks
and rec volunteered for the city
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for many years Upcountry History
Museum and I'm graduate of
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leadership Greenville well and a
Fermans woman's leadership
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Institute.
Yeah, can't, can't announce yet,
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but I applied for Leadership
Greenville and there's news
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coming out in a few months.
I will give you a good word.
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Thank you.
Thank you.
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So I cannot say that was 10
years ago I did that.
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Yeah, I and to this day so much
has come out of that.
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Oh yeah, I've heard great
things.
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And what's so cool is someone
who was on our podcast, who's a
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very good friend of ours was in
leadership Greenville, one of
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the first classes not to date
him, but he wrote my
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recommendation letter and just
shared how impactful it was for
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him.
And we're pretty involved in the
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community as a couple.
And so I just knew that that was
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a good step to take for us.
But with that being said, I
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mean, we're, as I look at our
calendar, I mean we're overly
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involved, it seems like, but I
tell people we're so busy, but
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it's all good things.
So I can't cut anything out
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because it's all good.
So that being said, I mean, you
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just mentioned all these boards
and organizations you're in.
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So what's really your mission
behind being involved in all
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these organizations?
I mean, I think what you were
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talking about inclusive
community, you know, my
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background is community
development planning, economic
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development planning.
And that's what it is at the end
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of the day.
Like are people thriving?
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Are we doing well?
Are we doing in a community
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centered way?
And that's kind of also what,
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you know, city planning is
about.
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So if it falls in that mission,
I'm about it.
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And I think it's also like
perfectly fine.
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I tell folks all the time, if
you find yourself on a board or
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Commission and you're like, oh,
maybe this isn't a right fit,
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that's OK.
You know, finish up your term
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and like move on to something
that fits you because there is
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only so many limited hours in a
day.
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But I think it's fantastic what
y'all are doing because I can
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tell you the fruits of like the
labor of the time of everything
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for my kids when I have like on
many, many boards and I'm kind
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of selective 2 little ones.
Well, I guess I mean, I can't be
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on, you know, 5 different boards
in a year anymore because of my
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young kids, but that you will
definitely see all of that.
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Well, we hope so.
We we know it'll have to be a
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transition whenever kids come
into the picture, whenever that
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blessing occurs.
We've had lots of conversations
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about the schedule shift.
So Oh my God, I don't know how
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it's going to happen, but
there's going to have to be big
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changes.
So for sure we'll navigate that
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when we get there, yes.
I'd love to jump into Catalyst
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Consulting, yes, about how you
started that, some of the
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challenges involved with that.
Can you just give us a brief
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overview about what it is in
your mission?
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With it, sure.
So it's been about 15 months
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since I started my firm, so
we're pretty new.
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Congratulations.
Thank you for the.
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First year, Nice.
Yes, yes, exactly.
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It's been wonderful.
I mean, there's nothing like,
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you know, being your own boss,
being flexible and making your
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own hours.
But also, you know, consulting
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is an area where you really get
to lean on your own expertise
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and background.
And I thrive in that space.
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Like, I, you know, want to do
the best work I can for my
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client.
So it's a lot of government.
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It's nonprofit and development,
so affordable housing
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development.
And I, I, yeah, it's wonderful
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experience just to be able to
work across the country and help
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solve problems.
I see you're going.
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Are you have to travel a lot
with that or is it mostly
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Greenville focus?
Thankfully, since, you know,
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technology is great, I don't
have to travel too much.
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I can do even even for some
bigger cities I'm working in,
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it'll be like a one or two city
visit, you know, two time visit
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a year.
But here in the state I do visit
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more maybe once a month.
What do you think sparked your
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interest in Urban Development
and city that's?
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A good question.
You know, to be real vulnerable
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here when I was a kid, I, you
know, experienced some housing
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and stability.
You know, my my folks were, were
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going to through some things my
mom was going through, like
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postpartum issues.
And we found ourselves, my twin
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sister and I in different
people's homes at different
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times, thankfully through the
support of our church.
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And I think that kind of stuck
with me.
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Like that was really ingrained.
Like, OK, I remember that kind
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of that feeling.
But we at the end of the day, we
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had, you know, say stable
housing to go back to, right,
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when our, you know, those those
health issues were worked out.
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And I think about how many
people don't have that.
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And I think that just always
drew me into community and
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housing specifically.
Yeah.
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How can people, like, get
involved and help with that
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mission here in Greenville?
Oh, wow, that's a good question.
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There's so many ways.
I mean, one of my clients is
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Habitat for Humanity.
That's a wonderful organization.
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We love them.
We've done builds so good.
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So much of one of the most
recent builds I did, actually,
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the owner that was going to live
in that house with her three
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children came and was right
there with us putting up the
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walls, putting in the windows.
And it was such a sweet
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experience to not only help and
give back to the community, but
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to hear about her story and meet
her family.
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So love them.
Like they put in that sweat
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equity as we.
Call it and that's.
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What all this stuff is about,
it's just giving people the
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opportunity to work and, and you
know, housing is not often a, an
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easy system to navigate and the
market is a market, right.
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And so it's really wonderful how
many nonprofits are out there
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doing the mission.
Another great one I used to work
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at was Greenville Housing Fund.
We were actually the city's kind
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of nonprofit arm for affordable
housing.
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Definitely get on their sign up
list.
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Is it new?
Tiffany Santiago.
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Yeah, she's like really good
friend.
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Oh.
Yeah, OK, good.
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So Tiffany, I told you about her
recently.
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We had gotten lunch and so
active in the community and
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she's like all about the
Greenville housing funds, says.
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She's like one of my best
friends.
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OK, good.
Well, tell her we said hey, OK,
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But it sounds like they had all
kinds of opportunities for the
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community to get involved and
jump in and help.
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So love that.
I can see especially.
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Very good.
So what do you think that?
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So you've also been obviously
been doing this for a while like
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Urban Development, city planning
and all this.
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How has that helped like shape
your background, prepare you for
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launching your own business?
Yes, I mean, I it's impossible
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not to it's, or I should say
it's not possible to go into a
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field like this without having
kind of a multitude of
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experiences.
You know, I've worked on that
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Housing and Urban Development
federal level with some of their
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funds.
I've worked state, I've worked
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locally.
And that's all helped form kind
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of the breadth of what you might
think of as housing plan, your
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community development planning.
And then I switched into urban
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planning, which is like more of
your hard city planning, your
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traffic, your zoning and policy
and land use and all those
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00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,200
things together.
And then I worked also in the
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00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,080
policy and advocacy space.
So I have this big breadth of
225
00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,520
experience that upon any client
or project I can bring to the
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table, and that's what's great
about.
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00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,920
So my knowledge with like,
affordable housing is limited.
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00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,560
Yeah.
How do you, like, how do we
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00:11:23,560 --> 00:11:25,880
promote affordable housing and
how do we better that,
230
00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:27,720
especially when there's like so
many people moving to Greenville
231
00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:30,280
and it's growing so much and
housing prices are shooting up?
232
00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,440
Like how do you address that
issue?
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00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:34,360
You know, here it's really
unique.
234
00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,640
I think in the city we flipped
from about 60% home ownership to
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60% rental and in the last 10
years.
236
00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:44,600
That doesn't.
Surprise me, right?
237
00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:46,040
I mean and.
Apartments are shooting up left
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00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:46,280
and.
Right.
239
00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,520
Yes, exactly, exactly.
And I don't think there's
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00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,520
anything wrong with apartments,
especially as, you know,
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00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,960
focusing them in key areas where
we can have strategic growth.
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00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,040
But that has to come with the
other systems and structures
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00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,720
like good transit to make sure
that all those cars are dumping
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00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,400
into our streets.
So but yeah, the housing, it's
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00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,200
not easy.
You know, I would love to see us
246
00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,480
do some work on not only
increasing our affordable home
247
00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,520
ownership again and building
those home ownership numbers,
248
00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,480
but for those who do rent, you
know, building equity while you
249
00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,640
rent cooperative programs like
other cities have.
250
00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:25,240
And then also just Land Trust
models that keep takes the land
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00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:27,840
out of the equation when trying
to do home ownership.
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00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:31,080
That just makes it more
accessible for our teachers, our
253
00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,560
police officers, folks who
really depend on in the
254
00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:35,320
community.
Yeah.
255
00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,640
So is it like when there's a
higher level of home ownership,
256
00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:41,080
I guess that would make homes
more affordable?
257
00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,440
Is that kind of?
Yes, inventory, yes, yes, yes,
258
00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,240
100%.
The more inventory generally
259
00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:50,120
you're going to have a
stabilization of rents.
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00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,400
You know, we're we need a good
bit of inventory I think to get
261
00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:56,240
to that point, but it's happened
in other places.
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00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,440
So missing middle housing
building in some, you know, step
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00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,880
up smaller density to get there
as well.
264
00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:08,000
OK, so a little bit about you.
As we walked in, Heath is
265
00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,360
wearing his UNC Chapel Hill
shirt.
266
00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,200
Yes, you mentioned that you are
a Tar Heel.
267
00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,240
I am.
So tell us a little bit about
268
00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:17,560
what program you did at UNC
Chapel Hill.
269
00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,720
I come from a world or work in a
world where there's all kinds of
270
00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,760
acronyms and certifications and
no one knows what they mean.
271
00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,680
So tell us what you've got, what
they mean, and what you do with
272
00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:28,120
those.
Yes, I guess.
273
00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:29,560
I guess I have two little
acronyms.
274
00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,880
So MPA.
So I got my Master Public
275
00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,600
Administration.
It's one of the leading schools
276
00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,200
of government in the country.
Yeah.
277
00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,240
Chapel Hill.
Let's go.
278
00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:42,120
That's right.
Did you go to?
279
00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:43,840
Did you do it in person or?
Did you?
280
00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:45,680
I did a hybrid program.
Oh cool.
281
00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:47,560
So it was like half there?
Half.
282
00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:48,880
How often did you have to go
there?
283
00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,080
Just like a few times a year
kind of thing.
284
00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,120
Like your program?
Mine is we kind of go optional.
285
00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,880
So I've been once and then I
don't really have to go again,
286
00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,160
but I can't.
Yeah, we're going in the fall.
287
00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,960
That was an international.
Trip actually we're going more
288
00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,000
important we're going for the
Clemson UNC Chapel football.
289
00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:15,120
So we are going in the fall for.
Football, you see what's?
290
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,080
Important to me, football for
him, not so much, but we are
291
00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,480
going in the fall, so hopefully
we'll get an opportunity to go
292
00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,800
on campus and maybe there's a
day or two you can do some stuff
293
00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,520
while we're there, but.
So I guess you when did you get
294
00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:30,560
that MPA, like right after
undergrad or did you wait a
295
00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:31,120
couple?
Years.
296
00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,480
No, actually, between, I did the
AmeriCorps program, which is
297
00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:36,240
like the Peace Corps but
domestic.
298
00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,520
So I did that and that's just
really brought me back to the
299
00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,840
Greenville area.
I was like, I want to, I want to
300
00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:44,680
get back here.
I'm gonna be around my family
301
00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:48,600
and they had an opening at the
county Redevelopment Authority,
302
00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:50,960
which is local government
through AmeriCorps.
303
00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,160
And I had, you know, been here
since.
304
00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:58,560
But yeah, I got I worked and
commute to do the program
305
00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,440
because it was it was high like
before Covad, you know, they
306
00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:04,480
were just starting to do some of
this.
307
00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,640
I.
Don't think zoom was a thing
308
00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,960
really.
So I sound like so old when I
309
00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:11,520
say that I.
Think it was like Skype or
310
00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:15,720
something.
It was a Skype type thing, but
311
00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:18,360
it was great because I got to
spend a lot of time in that area
312
00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,360
too and they have some really
great planning.
313
00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:23,160
My focus was on community and
economic development.
314
00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:27,560
So study things from
sustainability to, you know, how
315
00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:32,320
do we forego kind of the
traditional economic development
316
00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,840
that's kind of died out and how
do we move to a more of tech
317
00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,160
market and entrepreneurial
market and attract those things
318
00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,480
while making sure how
affordability is addressed and
319
00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:43,720
cost of living and all those
things.
320
00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,960
So how's the, I mean, obviously
City Council is very, I would
321
00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:49,600
say just you're on the go a lot,
very busy.
322
00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,320
Yes, yes.
How has that been so far?
323
00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,880
When did you like announce that
you're running and what inspired
324
00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,120
you to run?
Yeah, I filed in March this
325
00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,000
year.
You know, really I think it
326
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,360
comes down to me being a
planner.
327
00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,840
You know, I, I see where we're
headed.
328
00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,240
I work in the low country a lot.
OK.
329
00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:11,480
So at five, 1015 years from now,
we could be in those same spot,
330
00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:13,200
right?
Where they're not really saying
331
00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,960
quality of living anymore
because of the cost of housing,
332
00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,520
because of the traffic.
Charleston's yeah.
333
00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:22,040
I mean, where in the low country
are you spending your time?
334
00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:24,880
North Charleston?
Georgetown.
335
00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:27,800
Are you going to Allendale at
all or no?
336
00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:32,440
Smaller ones like.
Walter bro Dylan, we've got from
337
00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,480
from Dylan, but our church is
very involved with the Allendale
338
00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,320
community.
That's why I asked about that.
339
00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:39,240
They're doing a lot there, but I
think.
340
00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:44,840
We're doing a whole series of
the state rural development and
341
00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:48,000
it's wonderful because they're
so some of these smaller towns,
342
00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:51,360
they don't have planning staff
and so it's a great way to be
343
00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,600
able to get in and get in there
and lend some expertise.
344
00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,800
And I just love small.
So are you helping small towns
345
00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:01,000
like develop and kind of OK?
Yeah.
346
00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,319
Are they planning to like become
a bigger town or?
347
00:17:04,319 --> 00:17:07,800
Well, whether they plan it or
not, all the data is.
348
00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:09,640
They're all going to be.
It's coming their way.
349
00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,079
Yeah.
So we are kind of quickly
350
00:17:12,079 --> 00:17:15,040
becoming Florida.
Oh.
351
00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:19,960
Wow, yeah.
The halfback situation and our
352
00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,560
in the city too, our retiree
count is really climbing.
353
00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,640
So while we're having a lot of
younger folks move here, our
354
00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,360
average median age is also
rising.
355
00:17:30,360 --> 00:17:34,720
So that does a lot of things, a
lot of good things for tourism
356
00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,880
and things like that, but it's
also like balancing your
357
00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:41,000
workforce and and things.
So yeah, I mean, I can see what
358
00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,240
happens if we don't take care of
traffic, if we are not paying
359
00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:48,840
attention to housing cost, child
care for cutting down our trees
360
00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,240
with all the development, you
know, I see it.
361
00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:52,680
So I just want to make sure we
protect.
362
00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,960
That is Charleston on the way to
becoming a pretty like massive
363
00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,320
economic development.
Oh, it already is.
364
00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:03,080
Yeah, they have a considerable,
no, it really is.
365
00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,640
They have a considerably larger
footprint economic development
366
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,360
wise in Greenville.
I think it's three to four
367
00:18:08,360 --> 00:18:10,360
times.
And so our city is really,
368
00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,680
they've launched a local
Greenville area, Greenville
369
00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:20,480
Economic Development Corporation
to help work towards that to be
370
00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:22,840
just as competitive as a low
country.
371
00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,600
And we certainly will be there I
think soon and that's great.
372
00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,400
Like growth is good.
I'm very pro growth, I'm pro
373
00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:33,240
development.
I am pro smart development
374
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:35,600
though.
Like when I see, you know, giant
375
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,360
something being built and I'm
like, OK, think about all the
376
00:18:38,360 --> 00:18:41,960
cars on the road.
Are we incentivizing them to not
377
00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:45,000
use those?
Or is this building towering
378
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,960
over this park over here?
You know, these are all like
379
00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:49,800
real considerations we have to
make and.
380
00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:51,400
It's you can definitely grow too
quick.
381
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,520
I mean, a lot of people would
argue that Green Hill is growing
382
00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:54,120
too quick.
Well.
383
00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,040
Infrastructure wise, we we
definitely have right and I
384
00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,520
would love to see, you know,
using technology like keep our
385
00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:04,280
red, keep our lights flowing,
keep our cars moving.
386
00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,640
If someone's speeding, if
someone's running a red light,
387
00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,640
which some of this you do have
to stay and change on the state
388
00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,560
level.
But you can use technology like
389
00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:14,080
drones and get to get around
that to it'll show up in the
390
00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:15,520
mail.
You're like, OK, you were going
391
00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:17,880
50 and a 25 I'm sorry that's you
Heath.
392
00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,080
But we need to capture that
revenue and make our streets
393
00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,000
safer and then we can put that
towards like a really efficient
394
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,120
trolley system.
You know, I've lived in cities
395
00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,520
where even medium sized cities
like Knoxville, TN, Yeah.
396
00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,040
I have a great story of
Knoxville, TN and the traffic
397
00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:33,200
light stuff.
There we go.
398
00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:36,320
I mean the young professionals
would get on the trolleys to go
399
00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:37,920
to work.
It was not uncommon.
400
00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:39,280
Yeah, that's cool.
Yeah, I used to live in
401
00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:42,360
Knoxville, OK and said they have
those like drones or at like a
402
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,120
red light.
Yes, they have cameras.
403
00:19:44,120 --> 00:19:47,960
So if you turn right without
stopping all the way, you will
404
00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:49,200
get a ticket in the mail.
That's.
405
00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:52,480
Right and you can put that money
and people know because I mean
406
00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:53,680
I'm sure y'all have seen it
around town.
407
00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:56,280
How many people run a red light?
Yeah, they call it the five
408
00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,560
second rule now in Greenville.
Yeah, you don't.
409
00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,600
You don't take a left like you
got to wait because someone is.
410
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,960
Going to come around, especially
is very especially is extremely
411
00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:06,320
dangerous.
There's a wreck there.
412
00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:06,800
Ms. Every.
Day.
413
00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,360
Daily.
Yes, because I noticed on
414
00:20:09,360 --> 00:20:11,480
Lawrence the other day, they've
done a lot of improvements to
415
00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,040
make the flow better.
But some of the lights, it's so
416
00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:18,360
short when you're trying to get
on the Lawrence or get off
417
00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:21,880
Lawrence, it gets backed up and
so everyone's running the red
418
00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:24,200
because literally the light is
this fast.
419
00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:27,000
It's terrible, yeah.
And we just need to invest more
420
00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,600
in technology to.
Fix that.
421
00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:31,280
Yeah, that's great.
I'm sure there's so much we
422
00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:32,880
could get into about roads and
traffic.
423
00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:34,880
I know, I'm sorry.
No, that's good.
424
00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,320
About fixing the roads and the
potholes, yes.
425
00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:43,160
So on the governor level, I
helped with Governor Mcmasters
426
00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:47,880
campaign when I was in college
and really got insight into what
427
00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,920
your world looks like.
I work in financial services so
428
00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:55,240
this is not my world, but it was
a great experience to really
429
00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:58,320
work all day long, put signs
out, go door knocking and do the
430
00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,960
traditional campaigning.
So with that being said, what
431
00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:02,840
does campaign season look like
for you?
432
00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,680
And then to what are your key or
top priorities that you're
433
00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:08,600
really pushing out to the
community?
434
00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:09,960
For sure.
Yeah.
435
00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:13,160
I mean it, it's a really over a
year long process.
436
00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,520
Even before you file, you've got
to kind of lay some groundwork.
437
00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,480
But we're very, you know, people
powered like you've got just
438
00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,040
some young folks.
And 1st I want to say thank you
439
00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,400
for volunteering.
On It was so fun.
440
00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,960
It was a great college
experience.
441
00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,320
I worked on so many, just
volunteered for so many, you
442
00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:34,720
know, over the years.
You it's just fun camaraderie.
443
00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:36,840
And it is like, just go out
there and meet people.
444
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,720
That's what it's about,
knocking.
445
00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,200
Doors.
Yes, great networking
446
00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,080
opportunity because all the
events the governor would put on
447
00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,880
to his campaign during his
campaign race and whatnot.
448
00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,000
I got to meet so many different
business leaders all over the
449
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,080
state of South Carolina and
people running for positions
450
00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,800
like yours and from you all the
way to the governor, you know,
451
00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:58,320
saying it was a great
opportunity to network and meet
452
00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,440
people.
And I think you find that you
453
00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,640
have a lot more in common when
you're talking to people face to
454
00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,040
face.
I think we've become so
455
00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:10,320
polarized, but the reality is
most people would just want like
456
00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,200
the American dream.
We want that.
457
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,680
We want, you know, stable
housing and, you know, good
458
00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,960
education for our kids, safety,
to be in a safe community.
459
00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:24,800
And those are the things we're
pushing for our our BIG4
460
00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,680
priorities, our housing
affordability, especially for
461
00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:32,520
like our generation younger.
I feel like, you know, it's left
462
00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,040
been left out of that.
You know, it's very hard to to
463
00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:38,240
enter the market.
So flipping that 60%
464
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,480
homeownership and rental,
getting that back closer to a
465
00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:45,440
healthy level, making sure we
reduce traffic through mobility.
466
00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,560
I would love to have a small
efficient trolley system.
467
00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,320
Like imagine if you could just I
mean, y'all on a really good Rd.
468
00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,240
Yeah, you just hop on the
trolley, get downtown or get to
469
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,080
some major.
Areas and being it for sure.
470
00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:57,520
I love the trolleys we have
downtown.
471
00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:58,320
I know.
Me too.
472
00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:00,840
We've.
Been on it one time, but we
473
00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:03,520
didn't know where it was going,
but we just wanted to test it
474
00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:05,440
out.
So we hopped on and yeah, were
475
00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:06,880
you taking this?
And they were like, actually to
476
00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:08,320
the parking lot.
We're like, we'll go.
477
00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:09,120
We just want to.
Go.
478
00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:10,960
Because it's fun.
Yeah.
479
00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:12,680
We used to have street cars and
all that.
480
00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,040
And I would love our buses just
to be like those going out to
481
00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,520
the other municipalities and
going to the big employment
482
00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,600
centers.
Like my husband works, you know,
483
00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,280
near BMW, He's got a supplier,
thousands people, 20,000 people
484
00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,800
carpooled to work every day.
They should be taking the bus.
485
00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,160
But like it's not an efficient
system because we don't invest
486
00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,760
in it.
Next would be trees, making sure
487
00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:35,800
we protect our open space or
green space particularly.
488
00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:39,200
We lost so many trees during the
hurricane and we're sitting on a
489
00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,320
good a few $1,000,000 of tree
fees.
490
00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:44,200
So I would love for for this
city to work with private
491
00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,920
homeowners to get those
replanted because like you said,
492
00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:52,640
like the trees are what keep
Greenville green and the West
493
00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:54,960
side of town, like development
is just taking them down.
494
00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,120
You can look at this heat map
and the east side of town looks
495
00:23:57,120 --> 00:23:59,920
great.
West side of town, not so much.
496
00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:02,560
And then last would be
childcare.
497
00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:05,760
I mean, we live in a childcare
desert and just with some tweaks
498
00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,360
and like zoning and some
interesting models out there
499
00:24:09,360 --> 00:24:12,120
that other cities used, we could
help improve some childcare
500
00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:14,520
acts.
Childcare is a big topic.
501
00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:16,520
I'm hearing.
I'm involved with Greenville
502
00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:18,160
Women Giving.
Yeah, if you're familiar with
503
00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:20,680
the organization.
But they put on several
504
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:22,880
educational events throughout
the year, and the most recent
505
00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:26,120
one I attended was about
childcare, and the statistics
506
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:28,520
were alarming.
OK, so who was it?
507
00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,680
Derrick Lewis.
Yes, yes, yes.
508
00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,440
And he did a great job.
So that was a great session.
509
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,080
I came home and told Heath.
I was like, I had no idea that
510
00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:40,120
it was as bad as it is.
I had a gun for both of my girls
511
00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,800
who are now 3:00 and 6:00 but
still this is very pertinent
512
00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,880
today.
Like I had to get on list before
513
00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:47,360
I was pregnant.
Right, right.
514
00:24:47,360 --> 00:24:50,080
That's what we hear.
And it was still five months
515
00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:53,000
before they.
Started yeah, now I'm here and
516
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,760
we've got friends in the
neighborhood having kids, so the
517
00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,360
wait lists are at least the
local ones were around our
518
00:24:57,360 --> 00:24:59,640
neighborhood, the Goddard School
legacy, the wait lists are two
519
00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,320
years long.
So yes, it is crazy.
520
00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,520
So anyways, love that that's one
of your initiatives, so.
521
00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:06,480
Thank you.
That's a good, I don't know,
522
00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:10,400
entrepreneurial idea.
Absolutely.
523
00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:13,560
More of them.
Yes, in home care providers.
524
00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,240
That's why I say changing some
of the zoning would be helpful.
525
00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:20,160
The center that my daughter is
at now, my 3 year old, it
526
00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,960
couldn't be built today based
on, I mean it could be, but you
527
00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:24,600
have to go all these extra
levels.
528
00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:28,320
So it's hard to get a child care
facility like up in business.
529
00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,120
And four in these four
residential districts, yes.
530
00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,400
Yes, yeah.
Let's see where we could do some
531
00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,560
improvements there then of.
Course and like the Gutter
532
00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,600
School, which is right here next
to us because they have a
533
00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,800
location in Fountain here and
then they open one on Pelham
534
00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:46,000
Road and the one on Pelham from
what I've heard already has wait
535
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,720
lists and they sent a bunch of
students here from the Woodruff
536
00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:52,520
Ride location over there because
of how full it was.
537
00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,720
So even if they open it's quick
spots are taken.
538
00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,800
Yes, what people don't realize
is you can also, if you want to
539
00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:02,960
become an in home care provider,
there's so many benefits to
540
00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,920
that.
Like you can get your grad, your
541
00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:09,760
undergraduate degree paid for,
you can get training, you know,
542
00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:13,000
and honestly, that's some of the
only child care you can get if
543
00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,280
you're somebody who works like
second or third shift or you're
544
00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,000
in kind of a less of a nine to
five.
545
00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,200
But we've got to incentivize
folks to do that because you
546
00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,680
know, that also takes just
knowledge and getting out there
547
00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:26,800
in education.
So what?
548
00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,520
Do you think's been the biggest
shocker of running for City
549
00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:31,440
Council?
Wow.
550
00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,880
Shocker.
Have there been any surprises
551
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:36,520
like, oh, I didn't think that
would be that difficult, or I
552
00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:38,880
didn't think that would be that
easy, or some of that stuff?
553
00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:42,080
That's a good question.
I don't know.
554
00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:45,560
So this is my second time.
I ran for state Senate six years
555
00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:48,200
ago, which was nuts because I
had a six month old.
556
00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:53,080
Good for you.
So it's not my, it's not my
557
00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,120
first rodeo.
So luckily I don't think I've
558
00:26:55,120 --> 00:26:59,280
had any surprises yet.
But you know, everything's
559
00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:02,560
different.
I every race is different.
560
00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:08,640
I think I've pleasantly been
surprised just how these are.
561
00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,920
So I mean, it is technically
like a partisan race, but these
562
00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:15,440
aren't blue or red issues are
very much planning and growth
563
00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:17,360
oriented.
So it doesn't matter who you're
564
00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:19,720
talking to, they understand that
like we've got to be
565
00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:20,840
responsible.
They're good.
566
00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:25,240
Was running for Senate the first
go, Was that any like surprises
567
00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:30,440
there?
Oh, yeah, I got a lot of,
568
00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:32,960
because I just had a child, I
got a lot of like, who's going
569
00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:37,040
to take care of your baby?
And I was just like, yeah, we
570
00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:39,920
have childcare and I have a
husband.
571
00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:45,400
There is a plan.
I mean, just a lot of that.
572
00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:49,160
And how will you manage this and
be a mom?
573
00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,240
And I was just thinking, do they
ask this to men?
574
00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,640
I'm not sure those questions.
And so I'm really lucky to have
575
00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:57,560
just an amazing partner, to be
honest.
576
00:27:57,560 --> 00:28:01,240
Like he is such a rock and he's
the opposite of me.
577
00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:04,880
Like I well, I'm I'm probably an
Amber, but he's like introvert.
578
00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:08,760
So he is just like I'm down to
like watch the kids and he's a
579
00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:10,320
triathlete too, so it works out
well.
580
00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:12,320
So like I'll have my hobby, I
guess.
581
00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:13,560
Right now who's running for
office?
582
00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:14,960
Is it a hobby?
I guess yeah, it.
583
00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:19,160
Takes a lot of time.
The time suck for sure, but he
584
00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,240
can then be like, OK, I'm going
on a three hour run, I'm going
585
00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,120
on a bike ride.
And so it's nice to really
586
00:28:24,120 --> 00:28:25,960
support each each other in those
dreams.
587
00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:28,720
That's amazing.
Well, that's a lot you're taking
588
00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:31,400
on right now.
And like you said, a huge ton
589
00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:35,040
suck, but let's shift real quick
over to your business.
590
00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,520
So, Catalyst Community
Consulting.
591
00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:42,440
What was the most difficult part
of starting your own business?
592
00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,800
Honestly I think just taking the
leap was the hardest part, if
593
00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:52,800
that makes sense.
Like I've always seen myself,
594
00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,320
most of my career was in
government, then worked in non
595
00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:58,480
profit space, so always in the
public sector.
596
00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:00,600
I was like, even though I've
worked a lot with the private
597
00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,440
sector, kind of is that liaison?
It was like, oh, I don't know
598
00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,040
how to do this.
I'm not sure if I can do this.
599
00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:12,440
And I think at some point you
just got to like take that risk.
600
00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:16,080
You got to jump in that boat.
And I've been so pleasantly
601
00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:20,240
surprised.
I haven't had to market or
602
00:29:20,240 --> 00:29:21,760
promote.
Everything's just been through
603
00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:25,480
word of mouth.
And I think that's just lean on
604
00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,400
on yourself and trust yourself
and your expertise.
605
00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,080
That's very fortunate because I
feel like at first, especially
606
00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,160
like a lot of businesses have a
hard time getting going that
607
00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:36,280
first year, three years, you
know, getting momentum.
608
00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:38,240
But it sounds like you've
already accomplished a lot of, I
609
00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:39,880
think.
It's a niche thing to be honest
610
00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:42,160
too.
Not everybody focuses on
611
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,840
affordable housing and it's such
a growing need, right?
612
00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:50,600
I mean, unfortunately, I wish
this was not like a job.
613
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:54,120
The idea is that you like work
yourself out of a job in
614
00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:56,600
something like this, but it's
really important.
615
00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,640
So I just am very fortunate.
I have some great folks who've
616
00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,440
really spoken on my behalf and
gotten new work just across the
617
00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:03,960
country.
So when people come to you and
618
00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,680
they're asking for your
services, are you the subject
619
00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:09,840
matter expert in affordable
housing or is it something else
620
00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:10,920
that you would think that you
are the.
621
00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,400
It could be community
engagement.
622
00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:18,880
I'm big, you know, on processes,
how to engage the community and
623
00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:21,640
how do we make sure that
people's voices are heard in the
624
00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:23,720
planning process.
That's a big part of being, I
625
00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:26,720
guess I didn't say my second
acronym is AICP and the American
626
00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:28,600
Institute for Certified
Planners.
627
00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:32,320
You know, it's about carrying
out what the committees said
628
00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,720
that they care about.
You know, I think at the lot, a
629
00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:38,400
lot of times there's a lot of
decisions made-up here, but in
630
00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:39,960
planning, you really have to
make sure that you're
631
00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:44,920
incorporating that grassroots.
So it's community engagement, it
632
00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,320
affordable housing, but also do
I do city plans I helped with I
633
00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:50,120
helped write the city of T Rs
master plan.
634
00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:52,680
That's T Rs like a beautiful
town.
635
00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:57,520
TR It's just little like towns
like that I get to work in.
636
00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:02,640
So county plans, city plans,
comprehensive plans, master
637
00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:05,520
plans, development codes, fun
stuff.
638
00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:09,120
Love it.
Park plans though too.
639
00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,560
I get to do some of those.
Like State Park, there's local
640
00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:12,160
parks and.
Stuff, Yeah.
641
00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:13,160
State and local parks.
Cool.
642
00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:14,440
Yeah.
That's great.
643
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:18,640
So how do you help your clients
translate ideas into big
644
00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:21,040
meaningful impacts in whatever
location they're in?
645
00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:24,160
Yeah.
I think building up if it's, you
646
00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:26,400
know, from the communities
generally when you're hearing it
647
00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:29,560
from, you might have some
interest coming from elected
648
00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:33,000
officials or government bodies
or even maybe it's a private
649
00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:35,320
developer and they're saying
like we want to do some
650
00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:39,120
affordability in this project.
You're, you're finding, you
651
00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:41,720
know, case studies and research
and best practices.
652
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:44,200
And these are ones I've direct
experience with either carrying
653
00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:46,880
them out, getting them started,
passing policy.
654
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:50,800
But I think a big part of it is
that messaging and communicating
655
00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,560
it up so that no matter what
people feel bought in to
656
00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:57,800
whatever that is.
Because the last thing you want
657
00:31:57,800 --> 00:32:01,400
is somebody like surprised
about, OK, like we're we're
658
00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:04,360
doing missing middle housing and
trying to make some more housing
659
00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:06,840
inventory in our community.
But they don't know what that
660
00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:08,880
means.
And like, it sounds like a very
661
00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:13,000
scary thing.
So I think you're translating
662
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,800
and messaging is a huge part,
but getting that, getting that
663
00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:17,480
buy in.
From the ground, is there a
664
00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:20,400
success story you have with one
of your clients, one that you
665
00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:21,720
could share?
Yeah, OK.
666
00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:32,400
Let me think yes, this one was a
actually for the city of
667
00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:34,600
Greenville very.
Good.
668
00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:37,760
See appropriate good one.
So they're they can no longer be
669
00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:40,760
my client.
Of course, I think technically
670
00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:45,000
not until am elected, but we
just we're not going that route
671
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,720
just to be a kosher.
But yeah, got.
672
00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:51,560
A lot of accusations.
In the past, you know, I, I
673
00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:55,600
worked with them to do a housing
impact analysis and that opened
674
00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:59,200
up fun funding for state
accommodations tax that passed a
675
00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:02,840
few years ago.
Senator Davis out of, you know,
676
00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:07,280
Beaufort area pushed for some of
the accommodations tax for like
677
00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:13,280
for hotels to go towards a 15%
could go towards workforce
678
00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:14,680
housing.
So supporting those who are
679
00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:17,080
actually in the hotels, you
know, doing that.
680
00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:21,800
And locally we could access that
immediately, but statewide we
681
00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:23,400
actually had to write a housing
analysis.
682
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:25,400
Any municipality would have to
write a housing analysis.
683
00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:29,880
What's really funny is that I
argued against that when I was
684
00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:32,000
at the housing fund.
I said that's a whole nother
685
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:33,760
barrier.
That's a whole nother thing we
686
00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:35,240
got to do.
If they already have a master
687
00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:38,840
plan and a comp plan or a comp
plan, the city plan, like why
688
00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:40,200
have to do that?
And now I'm writing them.
689
00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:46,280
It's kind of an ironic tale of
sorts, but I love it because I
690
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:49,480
get to work with all these
different municipalities and
691
00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:52,720
open up funding for them for
this important issue.
692
00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:55,160
Yeah.
Do you have trouble raising your
693
00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,360
voice in some of these meetings
or speaking your mind at all?
694
00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:00,560
Or you just feel free to you?
Know that's what's great about
695
00:34:00,560 --> 00:34:02,520
the consultant.
It's like they're they're
696
00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:05,320
leaning on you for your opinion,
your expertise.
697
00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:09,239
But yeah, certainly, yeah, it'll
be different as as an elected
698
00:34:09,239 --> 00:34:13,600
official to an extent, right.
If a consultants getting up
699
00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:15,679
there and they're saying feel I
don't think I'm going to be like
700
00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:17,400
jumping in and be like, well, I
disagree.
701
00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:21,080
You know, I would imagine do
some of these smaller
702
00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:24,120
communities around the
Charleston area kind of like not
703
00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:26,120
believe you so much when you're
like, hey, your city's going to
704
00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:28,560
grow, your town's going to grow
because Charleston's growing so
705
00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:30,320
much.
Are they like, Nah, we're we're
706
00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:31,480
good or what?
What is there?
707
00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:34,320
Now I think so many of them are
already seeing the pull.
708
00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:36,199
I'd say there's.
Charleston's believable.
709
00:34:36,520 --> 00:34:37,679
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Place is.
710
00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:40,400
Exploding Georgetown.
They get it.
711
00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:43,040
You know, I'd say like
Walterboro, if I think of them,
712
00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,600
you know, their county has
exploded, but their city is kind
713
00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:49,440
of, I think lacking some
economic development and big and
714
00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:51,960
bigger employers.
So, and that's an interesting
715
00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:54,920
thing is because one of the
strategies I've learned from the
716
00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:57,880
low, from the smaller towns, I'd
actually love to see in our
717
00:34:57,880 --> 00:35:03,760
city, they work to push
development into cities so we're
718
00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:07,120
not sprawling everywhere.
And they work with the county to
719
00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:09,720
split their taxes.
I would love to see that in our
720
00:35:09,720 --> 00:35:14,680
own city so that the cities and
counties are working together to
721
00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:19,800
not only prevent prevent sprawl,
the county can help grow their
722
00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:22,880
taxes and the city can take
their portion.
723
00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:25,520
And maybe that put that to
toward workforce housing,
724
00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:28,960
affordable housing, economic
development, you know, and also
725
00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:34,560
you're just growing in smaller
areas that all be walkable.
726
00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:37,200
They'll be good transit, you
know, almost like little mini
727
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:39,920
downtowns.
What if Greenville had, you
728
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:44,000
know, Overbrooks kind of getting
big W Green was getting big, you
729
00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,160
know, like the village area?
What if everywhere it was just
730
00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:50,240
as well planned?
I'm pretty envious of how you
731
00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:53,080
like have tied your passions
with your job.
732
00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:56,640
It feels like every day you're
doing exactly what you love to
733
00:35:56,640 --> 00:35:58,120
do or what you were called to
do.
734
00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:01,280
Do you think that are like, I
know that you talked about your
735
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:03,760
your background growing up and
how that kind of played into
736
00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:06,680
some of your housing passions,
but what about just like the
737
00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:09,240
Urban Development and the
helping communities?
738
00:36:09,240 --> 00:36:11,000
Like what is it that fuels you
with all that?
739
00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:16,400
You know, I think actually that
same experience, like being in
740
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:20,600
other people's homes and that
was my community, my church and
741
00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:25,800
like all the families and I also
played like group spores.
742
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,280
I did Clemson soccer, like all
those things.
743
00:36:28,640 --> 00:36:31,760
I, I like a team aspect.
I like when I was in college, I
744
00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:34,080
was like an RA, like I, I don't,
you know what I mean?
745
00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:38,440
I like community building.
I find it to be a second family.
746
00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:44,440
And so I think planning is also
just like bringing the community
747
00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:46,960
into that process.
I think on top of it, I just
748
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,440
love cool new things.
Like I have like a ridiculous
749
00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:52,240
list of like whenever a new
restaurant opens or a new shop.
750
00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,840
I mean, I and that's what I
loved about Greenville over the
751
00:36:55,840 --> 00:36:59,080
past so many years, but I've
also seen a lot of really good
752
00:36:59,080 --> 00:37:02,120
small businesses closed too.
So I think that's an important
753
00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:06,240
and crucial support our city.
Let's keep it vibrant, Let's
754
00:37:06,240 --> 00:37:08,800
keep it funky.
Like, I don't want us all like
755
00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:12,960
painted over brick and, you
know, like these, you know,
756
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:15,480
murals that are just like,
printed like, let's get some
757
00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:18,360
cool, like Yum.
And.
758
00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:22,640
Yeah, yeah, like when they
painted over the Coca-Cola like
759
00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:23,480
Neural.
Yeah, I know.
760
00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:25,560
That was sad.
I mean, how many people have had
761
00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:27,640
their engagement?
In front of that, I mean
762
00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:29,320
everyone has and they put
something else there.
763
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:31,120
I just saw it the other day.
It says.
764
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:32,720
Green Greenbelt looks.
Like a postcard.
765
00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:35,120
I saw that, yeah.
But since you brought up the
766
00:37:35,120 --> 00:37:39,520
restaurants and we also have a
list of restaurants and anytime
767
00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,880
there's a new one, we go try it
right away.
768
00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:45,600
But with as busy as we are with
working podcast, my ladies club,
769
00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:46,960
all the things we haven't been
able to do it.
770
00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:49,360
So we made a mission like a week
or two ago that we're going to
771
00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:51,280
go to all the new places over
the next like month.
772
00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:54,200
And so with that being said.
So awesome.
773
00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:56,120
I'm making it quicker than he
is.
774
00:37:56,360 --> 00:37:59,160
OK so with that being said, new
restaurants, have you tried
775
00:37:59,160 --> 00:38:01,760
Demarco's?
Have you tried the Matador Abyss
776
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:04,760
Stir any of the new ones?
Demarcos.
777
00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:06,560
How'd you like it?
Very good.
778
00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,640
We're going for his birthday, so
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
779
00:38:10,160 --> 00:38:12,200
Yes.
OK, well, we're going to shift
780
00:38:12,200 --> 00:38:15,360
gears just a little bit to talk
more about kind of challenges in
781
00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:17,520
your career and before we close
out.
782
00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:22,200
So whether it's government, your
campaign or personal life, you
783
00:38:22,200 --> 00:38:24,600
know, what would you say are
some of the biggest professional
784
00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:27,000
challenges that you face
throughout your career?
785
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:38,400
It's a good one, I think.
I think, well, when you're in
786
00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:41,840
government that I think that's
particularly hard.
787
00:38:42,920 --> 00:38:44,000
I would think every day is a
challenge.
788
00:38:46,600 --> 00:38:49,400
You're, you know, you're think
about it, OK, Like, I was
789
00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:51,360
nicknamed Leslie Knope in
college, do you know what I'm
790
00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:53,120
saying?
I was vice president of my
791
00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,800
student body.
I passed ordinances as in
792
00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:56,960
student government.
I was good.
793
00:38:57,160 --> 00:39:00,280
Leadership leader.
Yes, but you go into you're the
794
00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:03,040
youngest person again.
You're a young female in an
795
00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:08,200
office and you're banging your
head against the wall because
796
00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:09,960
you're just like, I want to
innovate, I want to use
797
00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:10,920
technology.
It's hard.
798
00:39:10,920 --> 00:39:13,600
To make anything happen.
It's so slow.
799
00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,040
And so, and that's the huge part
this campaign is like innovating
800
00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:19,520
governments.
That's what I do in my work and
801
00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:22,840
that's what I want to bring to
council because I'm like, you
802
00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:26,080
know, business license, like why
are we printing out APDF and
803
00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:28,480
turning it in and in person at a
physical building?
804
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:32,160
I'm just like, this is 2025.
That's not going to incentivize
805
00:39:32,160 --> 00:39:34,600
any business.
And and can we incentivize, can
806
00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:37,840
we give them access to the
chamber or next Gen. or the
807
00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:43,120
Greenville economic development,
like all of those things I think
808
00:39:44,880 --> 00:39:46,920
are important.
And yeah, so government slow.
809
00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:48,080
That's definitely has been a
challenge.
810
00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:50,560
Nonprofits, you, you wear like 3
hats.
811
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:52,680
It's the opposite problem.
Maybe.
812
00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:56,160
So I like actually really have
enjoyed the private sector and
813
00:39:56,160 --> 00:40:00,520
kind of balancing all of it.
But you have to make your voice
814
00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:02,320
known.
It doesn't matter who you are.
815
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:06,600
Don't be afraid of it, embrace
it, and just trust yourself.
816
00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,200
Nice.
When you look back on your like
817
00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,680
background and your upbringing,
do you have any mentors that
818
00:40:11,680 --> 00:40:15,480
really helped you through that
more that are helping you today,
819
00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:17,280
maybe even.
Yes, I do.
820
00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:20,000
I do.
My first boss actually when I
821
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:25,640
moved, you know, back to the
area, my boss with Greenville
822
00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:29,400
County Redevelopment Authority.
She's still my mentor.
823
00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:32,520
She's the best.
And what's great is we've been
824
00:40:32,520 --> 00:40:36,320
actually been able to, you know,
work together even in different
825
00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:38,480
capacities.
And she just always comes out
826
00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:40,600
and supports me.
I'm a, if you're listening, I
827
00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:44,440
love you.
She's just over a huge rock.
828
00:40:44,520 --> 00:40:48,360
And actually I, when I started
my consulting business, she was
829
00:40:48,360 --> 00:40:50,440
inspired and she ended up
starting her own business.
830
00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:52,960
And so that's been just like a
wonderful.
831
00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:55,800
Circle right there, yeah.
It really is.
832
00:40:55,800 --> 00:41:00,320
It really is.
Yeah, of course My parents, they
833
00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:05,280
are like very politically
involved and active and
834
00:41:05,280 --> 00:41:09,120
actually, you know, we're
probably more opposite sides of
835
00:41:09,120 --> 00:41:13,960
the political spectrum.
But they that's why I think I
836
00:41:13,960 --> 00:41:17,200
enjoy the work I do and why I'm
good at it, is that I can see
837
00:41:17,600 --> 00:41:20,480
things from multiple
perspectives and understand it
838
00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:23,200
and.
Yeah, well.
839
00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:27,080
I personally find myself more of
an independent right.
840
00:41:27,440 --> 00:41:33,080
I feel like economically maybe
liberal, but you know, for, you
841
00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:35,920
know, for our generation, for
access to housing, for, you
842
00:41:35,920 --> 00:41:37,000
know, child care those.
Things.
843
00:41:37,560 --> 00:41:40,160
But like, I believe in small
government, I believe in fiscal
844
00:41:40,160 --> 00:41:42,600
responsibility, and I think I
get those from my parents and
845
00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:45,440
they, we debated everything at
the dinner table every night,
846
00:41:45,480 --> 00:41:47,640
really.
Yes, practice for you.
847
00:41:48,120 --> 00:41:51,720
I mean, it kind of is and I'm
really grateful for their their
848
00:41:51,720 --> 00:41:54,000
civic engagement.
I don't think everybody gets
849
00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:57,800
that in their home.
I left high school not knowing
850
00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,080
the difference between like a
conservative, liberal, like I
851
00:42:00,080 --> 00:42:02,280
didn't know.
And maybe that's OK, honestly,
852
00:42:02,280 --> 00:42:04,640
maybe we need to like.
Well, I just didn't know.
853
00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:05,920
I'm like, I don't know what my
parents vote for.
854
00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:06,960
I don't know what I would vote
for.
855
00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:09,400
I don't know who the issues are.
Like I was in a bubble.
856
00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:13,080
I just like, didn't didn't that?
Carry there after high school it
857
00:42:13,080 --> 00:42:15,320
went even till like more
recently I.
858
00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:18,080
Mean in college I started to
understand a little bit and then
859
00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:20,480
it was like after graduation I
was like OK you're like way more
860
00:42:20,480 --> 00:42:22,560
now I can have an opinion on
some of these things especially
861
00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:25,720
now I'm working yes that kind of
thing but yeah I was just I I
862
00:42:25,720 --> 00:42:28,280
was one of those ones that had a
very different like experience
863
00:42:28,280 --> 00:42:31,600
growing up where I just didn't
have which it was almost my
864
00:42:31,600 --> 00:42:33,800
fault because I was like so out
of the loop with everything but.
865
00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:37,880
What what advice would you give
to a young professional, maybe a
866
00:42:37,880 --> 00:42:41,840
young woman that wants to move
into politics, an industry
867
00:42:41,840 --> 00:42:46,960
that's still primarily older and
men, and I'm in an industry
868
00:42:46,960 --> 00:42:49,840
that's primarily men, which I
love working with.
869
00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:52,520
But you know, what advice would
you give to a young girl that
870
00:42:52,560 --> 00:42:54,600
wants to be in the position that
you're in now?
871
00:42:56,360 --> 00:42:59,800
Of course, I mean like anything,
do the work, right.
872
00:42:59,880 --> 00:43:04,640
You know how you show up,
putting the time in is
873
00:43:04,640 --> 00:43:10,080
important, but also just again,
not don't be afraid to be
874
00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:12,560
yourself.
You know, you might, oh, I'm
875
00:43:12,640 --> 00:43:16,880
coming off assertive or
whatever, you know, that's at
876
00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:19,880
the end of the day, you know, do
the work, do the research, know
877
00:43:19,880 --> 00:43:24,440
your craft and advocate for
yourself at every point.
878
00:43:24,800 --> 00:43:27,760
No, I'm sorry.
No, like, well, I think this.
879
00:43:27,760 --> 00:43:30,480
No, like, you know, as much as
you can.
880
00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:31,760
Yeah.
And it's hard.
881
00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:33,440
It's so hard.
I mean, I've been in places
882
00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:37,200
where I not felt supported and
didn't feel like I could do
883
00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:40,240
that.
But you got to like, trust
884
00:43:40,240 --> 00:43:41,520
yourself.
How'd you get over that hurdle?
885
00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:48,840
I think it was other women,
other or other other employees
886
00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:52,680
who were supportive and that,
you know, build your village,
887
00:43:52,680 --> 00:43:53,920
right?
Got to have that.
888
00:43:53,920 --> 00:43:56,160
My kids, my family, my friends,
they ground me.
889
00:43:56,160 --> 00:43:59,160
At the end of the day, I'm sure
y'all ground each other.
890
00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:04,200
So having that for sure.
So let's Fast forward 1015
891
00:44:04,200 --> 00:44:06,280
years.
You win City Council, maybe you
892
00:44:06,280 --> 00:44:08,240
go on to something else.
And what?
893
00:44:08,520 --> 00:44:11,320
Yeah.
What kind of legacy are you
894
00:44:11,320 --> 00:44:12,880
hoping to leave?
Oh gosh.
895
00:44:13,360 --> 00:44:15,160
And do you?
Yeah, I mean that right now
896
00:44:15,160 --> 00:44:17,280
we're focused on City Council.
Maybe you have personal
897
00:44:17,280 --> 00:44:20,720
aspirations for else but.
I don't know to be honest with
898
00:44:20,720 --> 00:44:21,360
you.
Like.
899
00:44:21,360 --> 00:44:22,800
Or how do you want people to
remember?
900
00:44:23,120 --> 00:44:27,960
OK, yeah.
I mean, yeah, I, I want to have
901
00:44:27,960 --> 00:44:32,560
set Greenville on the path to
maintain the quality of life
902
00:44:32,560 --> 00:44:35,720
that we have now and even
improve it for some people who
903
00:44:35,720 --> 00:44:37,440
are not experiencing that same
quality.
904
00:44:37,640 --> 00:44:40,560
That's what I want.
I want us to have a more
905
00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:46,040
walkable mobile city, one that
weathers high housing cost, one
906
00:44:46,040 --> 00:44:49,880
that expands our child care or
after school or summer programs,
907
00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:53,920
you know, invest in our parks,
some that have been neglected in
908
00:44:53,920 --> 00:44:56,520
some neighborhoods.
I just want it to be a place
909
00:44:56,520 --> 00:45:00,880
where everybody can thrive in it
and make sure it's accessible
910
00:45:00,880 --> 00:45:04,160
because I feel like, you know,
the way we're going, the trends,
911
00:45:04,320 --> 00:45:05,640
you know, I look at data all
day.
912
00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:09,760
Yeah, the trends scare me.
I just want to be a place that
913
00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:14,440
my kids can live and be proud of
and feel like it's some place
914
00:45:14,440 --> 00:45:15,880
for everybody.
I love that you're a dated
915
00:45:15,880 --> 00:45:18,480
person.
All day, every day.
916
00:45:18,520 --> 00:45:20,000
That's love that I can.
Relate to that.
917
00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:21,120
That's awesome.
Yeah.
918
00:45:21,520 --> 00:45:23,400
Well, cool.
Well, we'll wrap it up here, but
919
00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:25,840
I do want to ask if anyone's
listening and wants to get
920
00:45:25,840 --> 00:45:28,120
involved with your campaign or
wants to get involved with
921
00:45:28,120 --> 00:45:30,400
Catalyst, how can they, how can
they find you and how can they
922
00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:35,280
get they get?
Involvedsocatalyst-cc.org is a
923
00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:39,000
website and actually I'll be
hiring for an intern soon.
924
00:45:39,640 --> 00:45:44,680
So please check it out.
And if you like urban planning,
925
00:45:44,680 --> 00:45:50,520
GIS, any focus in nonprofit or
development, and then from a
926
00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:52,800
campaign, it's just Tina
bellagy.com.
927
00:45:52,920 --> 00:45:57,520
So pretty good.
See, you can look at all the
928
00:45:57,520 --> 00:46:01,280
priorities for the campaign in
depth solutions, but also time
929
00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:03,200
to volunteer in all of our
events.
930
00:46:03,520 --> 00:46:04,920
Well, cool.
Well, Tina, best of luck.
931
00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:06,040
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
932
00:46:06,760 --> 00:46:08,200
Tina, I appreciate you being
here.
00:00:08,600 --> 00:00:10,400
Thank you for tuning into the
Carolina Business Leaders
2
00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,680
Podcast where we share the
stories of local business
3
00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:15,880
leaders and impact makers who
are community focused and deeply
4
00:00:15,880 --> 00:00:20,000
rosed in the Carolinas.
Today's guest is Tina Belgy, a a
5
00:00:20,000 --> 00:00:22,520
passionate urban planner and
housing advocate.
6
00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:25,520
She is the founder of Catalyst
Community Consulting and is
7
00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:27,840
currently running for an at
large seat in the Greenville
8
00:00:27,880 --> 00:00:30,560
Greenville City Council with the
mission to bring inclusive
9
00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:33,440
community focused leadership to
local government.
10
00:00:33,440 --> 00:00:34,600
So, Tina, thanks for joining.
Us.
11
00:00:34,600 --> 00:00:38,000
Thank you for being here, Tina.
I'm glad we can share her name.
12
00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:39,600
Christina.
Tina.
13
00:00:39,920 --> 00:00:41,960
But you know who we're talking
to because she's using the
14
00:00:41,960 --> 00:00:43,240
nickname Tina.
That's right.
15
00:00:44,080 --> 00:00:45,000
That's fine.
Well.
16
00:00:45,200 --> 00:00:47,240
You've shared earlier that
you're from Augusta, but how
17
00:00:47,240 --> 00:00:48,800
long have you been in the
Greenville area?
18
00:00:48,960 --> 00:00:51,720
12 years sweet.
Yeah, so you've seen it grow.
19
00:00:51,800 --> 00:00:54,240
I mean obviously post code but
it's just like shot.
20
00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:58,920
Up well even before that so my
mom, she went to Daniel, my Papa
21
00:00:58,920 --> 00:01:01,040
Tucker Clemson.
I would go to like Clemson
22
00:01:01,040 --> 00:01:03,440
soccer camps.
And so when I was a kid we'd
23
00:01:03,440 --> 00:01:06,480
come for the zoo.
That's not it for Greenville.
24
00:01:06,480 --> 00:01:07,480
You.
Go to Columbia Zoo.
25
00:01:08,160 --> 00:01:09,360
Well, we did.
We mostly did.
26
00:01:09,920 --> 00:01:14,960
A.
But when I was a baby, like it
27
00:01:14,960 --> 00:01:16,920
was Greenville because that we
were close with our, you know,
28
00:01:16,920 --> 00:01:19,840
family parents.
So and then I saw it again and I
29
00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:23,160
visited again very frequently in
high school and in college and
30
00:01:23,160 --> 00:01:24,640
just I fell in love with
Greenville.
31
00:01:24,640 --> 00:01:27,840
And I thought, OK, once I get
out of school, I'm going to come
32
00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:29,960
right back here.
And we've been ever since.
33
00:01:30,560 --> 00:01:32,840
Yeah, she can relate.
She's a huge advocate for
34
00:01:32,840 --> 00:01:34,280
Greenville.
Yeah, I mean, I'm born and
35
00:01:34,280 --> 00:01:37,760
raised, so there's not many of
us that are left, but this place
36
00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:40,240
is amazing, amazing.
And I've seen it grown, you
37
00:01:40,240 --> 00:01:42,240
know, my whole entire life.
He got here in high school and
38
00:01:42,240 --> 00:01:44,040
you've even seen some grades in
Greenbelt.
39
00:01:44,880 --> 00:01:47,480
If you're running a small to mid
size business, you know there's
40
00:01:47,480 --> 00:01:50,000
simply not enough hours in a day
to take care of all your
41
00:01:50,000 --> 00:01:52,640
business needs.
From managing health insurance
42
00:01:52,640 --> 00:01:55,680
to payroll, procurement,
advertising, you're going to
43
00:01:55,680 --> 00:01:57,720
need some help to get that
initial momentum going.
44
00:01:58,240 --> 00:01:59,840
That's why I would partner with
Quest Co.
45
00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:02,840
They take care of all the behind
the scenes administrative and HR
46
00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:06,000
work, letting you focus on what
truly matters, which is running
47
00:02:06,000 --> 00:02:10,039
your business.
SQUESTCO Questco.
48
00:02:10,560 --> 00:02:13,960
Visit questco.net or call your
local QUESTCO representative
49
00:02:13,960 --> 00:02:19,600
Thomas Owens at 864-477-0843 to
get started today.
50
00:02:20,040 --> 00:02:22,000
But with all that being said,
there's a lot of good things
51
00:02:22,000 --> 00:02:24,400
happening here.
So what would you say is your
52
00:02:24,400 --> 00:02:27,040
favorite thing about Greenville
or your favorite part of
53
00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,960
Greenville?
I love two things.
54
00:02:30,960 --> 00:02:34,160
I love the environment.
I love our trees.
55
00:02:34,160 --> 00:02:37,240
I love like you can go to the
mountains like Joe Cassie.
56
00:02:37,240 --> 00:02:38,440
I mean, it's talking about
Greenville County.
57
00:02:38,440 --> 00:02:41,880
Beautiful though.
Like my favorite spot, but I
58
00:02:41,880 --> 00:02:45,760
love the people like most, you
know, importantly, I think like
59
00:02:45,760 --> 00:02:49,080
we have a great art scene.
We've got funky, cool small
60
00:02:49,080 --> 00:02:55,080
businesses and I don't know,
it's got a great thriving, you
61
00:02:55,080 --> 00:02:58,520
know, philanthropic arm and
everybody's very community
62
00:02:58,520 --> 00:02:59,840
centered.
I feel like that.
63
00:02:59,920 --> 00:03:01,560
Yeah, I think it's cool too with
Greenville.
64
00:03:01,560 --> 00:03:03,680
It really is so green like in
the downtown area.
65
00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:05,800
I was just going to say that we
were thinking about the other
66
00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:07,000
day, was it us?
It was talking.
67
00:03:07,000 --> 00:03:09,320
I couldn't remember who I was
talking to, but someone, maybe
68
00:03:09,320 --> 00:03:12,200
it was you, was saying
Greenville is really living out
69
00:03:12,200 --> 00:03:14,560
the green in Greenville.
I mean, it's just everything's
70
00:03:14,560 --> 00:03:16,880
green and gorgeous right now,
which is amazing.
71
00:03:16,880 --> 00:03:19,600
So glad that you mentioned that
because this place is truly
72
00:03:19,600 --> 00:03:20,360
beautiful.
Yes.
73
00:03:20,880 --> 00:03:23,280
So you're obviously very
involved in Greenville running
74
00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:25,720
for City Council, Yes.
Talk about some of the things
75
00:03:25,720 --> 00:03:27,240
that you're involved with here
in the community.
76
00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:31,040
Sure.
I'm currently HOA President for
77
00:03:31,040 --> 00:03:36,560
Twin Lake Cottages and Pete on
the board of our PTA at Summit
78
00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:41,480
Dr. Elementary.
It's a, you know my 6 year old
79
00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:45,040
goes there.
So that's a big part of it goes
80
00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:49,680
eagles.
I also serve on state some
81
00:03:49,680 --> 00:03:52,120
statewide boards in South
Carolina women's affordable
82
00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:56,360
housing network very involved
with 10 at the top, which is,
83
00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:01,360
you know, kind of a professional
planning organization and just
84
00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:05,280
have volunteered on county parks
and rec volunteered for the city
85
00:04:05,680 --> 00:04:10,880
for many years Upcountry History
Museum and I'm graduate of
86
00:04:10,880 --> 00:04:15,240
leadership Greenville well and a
Fermans woman's leadership
87
00:04:15,240 --> 00:04:17,640
Institute.
Yeah, can't, can't announce yet,
88
00:04:17,640 --> 00:04:21,120
but I applied for Leadership
Greenville and there's news
89
00:04:21,120 --> 00:04:24,960
coming out in a few months.
I will give you a good word.
90
00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:26,320
Thank you.
Thank you.
91
00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:29,520
So I cannot say that was 10
years ago I did that.
92
00:04:29,560 --> 00:04:35,080
Yeah, I and to this day so much
has come out of that.
93
00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:36,840
Oh yeah, I've heard great
things.
94
00:04:36,840 --> 00:04:39,520
And what's so cool is someone
who was on our podcast, who's a
95
00:04:39,520 --> 00:04:42,640
very good friend of ours was in
leadership Greenville, one of
96
00:04:42,640 --> 00:04:47,160
the first classes not to date
him, but he wrote my
97
00:04:47,160 --> 00:04:51,520
recommendation letter and just
shared how impactful it was for
98
00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,560
him.
And we're pretty involved in the
99
00:04:53,560 --> 00:04:56,760
community as a couple.
And so I just knew that that was
100
00:04:56,760 --> 00:05:00,040
a good step to take for us.
But with that being said, I
101
00:05:00,040 --> 00:05:03,440
mean, we're, as I look at our
calendar, I mean we're overly
102
00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:06,960
involved, it seems like, but I
tell people we're so busy, but
103
00:05:06,960 --> 00:05:09,880
it's all good things.
So I can't cut anything out
104
00:05:09,880 --> 00:05:12,640
because it's all good.
So that being said, I mean, you
105
00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:15,080
just mentioned all these boards
and organizations you're in.
106
00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:18,320
So what's really your mission
behind being involved in all
107
00:05:18,320 --> 00:05:21,400
these organizations?
I mean, I think what you were
108
00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:23,520
talking about inclusive
community, you know, my
109
00:05:23,520 --> 00:05:26,040
background is community
development planning, economic
110
00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:28,080
development planning.
And that's what it is at the end
111
00:05:28,080 --> 00:05:30,160
of the day.
Like are people thriving?
112
00:05:30,160 --> 00:05:32,480
Are we doing well?
Are we doing in a community
113
00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,520
centered way?
And that's kind of also what,
114
00:05:34,600 --> 00:05:36,000
you know, city planning is
about.
115
00:05:36,000 --> 00:05:38,800
So if it falls in that mission,
I'm about it.
116
00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:41,000
And I think it's also like
perfectly fine.
117
00:05:41,000 --> 00:05:43,640
I tell folks all the time, if
you find yourself on a board or
118
00:05:43,640 --> 00:05:46,040
Commission and you're like, oh,
maybe this isn't a right fit,
119
00:05:46,200 --> 00:05:48,200
that's OK.
You know, finish up your term
120
00:05:48,680 --> 00:05:51,000
and like move on to something
that fits you because there is
121
00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:52,880
only so many limited hours in a
day.
122
00:05:52,880 --> 00:05:55,760
But I think it's fantastic what
y'all are doing because I can
123
00:05:55,760 --> 00:05:59,480
tell you the fruits of like the
labor of the time of everything
124
00:06:00,360 --> 00:06:03,040
for my kids when I have like on
many, many boards and I'm kind
125
00:06:03,040 --> 00:06:10,160
of selective 2 little ones.
Well, I guess I mean, I can't be
126
00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:13,000
on, you know, 5 different boards
in a year anymore because of my
127
00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:16,840
young kids, but that you will
definitely see all of that.
128
00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:19,800
Well, we hope so.
We we know it'll have to be a
129
00:06:19,800 --> 00:06:22,520
transition whenever kids come
into the picture, whenever that
130
00:06:22,520 --> 00:06:25,680
blessing occurs.
We've had lots of conversations
131
00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:28,720
about the schedule shift.
So Oh my God, I don't know how
132
00:06:28,760 --> 00:06:30,840
it's going to happen, but
there's going to have to be big
133
00:06:30,840 --> 00:06:32,960
changes.
So for sure we'll navigate that
134
00:06:32,960 --> 00:06:36,080
when we get there, yes.
I'd love to jump into Catalyst
135
00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,200
Consulting, yes, about how you
started that, some of the
136
00:06:39,200 --> 00:06:41,200
challenges involved with that.
Can you just give us a brief
137
00:06:41,240 --> 00:06:42,920
overview about what it is in
your mission?
138
00:06:42,920 --> 00:06:46,960
With it, sure.
So it's been about 15 months
139
00:06:46,960 --> 00:06:49,400
since I started my firm, so
we're pretty new.
140
00:06:49,440 --> 00:06:51,200
Congratulations.
Thank you for the.
141
00:06:51,360 --> 00:06:53,840
First year, Nice.
Yes, yes, exactly.
142
00:06:53,840 --> 00:06:57,080
It's been wonderful.
I mean, there's nothing like,
143
00:06:57,760 --> 00:07:02,360
you know, being your own boss,
being flexible and making your
144
00:07:02,360 --> 00:07:05,520
own hours.
But also, you know, consulting
145
00:07:05,520 --> 00:07:08,520
is an area where you really get
to lean on your own expertise
146
00:07:08,520 --> 00:07:11,040
and background.
And I thrive in that space.
147
00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,080
Like, I, you know, want to do
the best work I can for my
148
00:07:14,080 --> 00:07:16,760
client.
So it's a lot of government.
149
00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:20,360
It's nonprofit and development,
so affordable housing
150
00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:23,560
development.
And I, I, yeah, it's wonderful
151
00:07:23,560 --> 00:07:27,280
experience just to be able to
work across the country and help
152
00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:29,120
solve problems.
I see you're going.
153
00:07:29,120 --> 00:07:31,480
Are you have to travel a lot
with that or is it mostly
154
00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,680
Greenville focus?
Thankfully, since, you know,
155
00:07:34,680 --> 00:07:37,560
technology is great, I don't
have to travel too much.
156
00:07:37,560 --> 00:07:40,320
I can do even even for some
bigger cities I'm working in,
157
00:07:40,320 --> 00:07:44,840
it'll be like a one or two city
visit, you know, two time visit
158
00:07:44,840 --> 00:07:48,360
a year.
But here in the state I do visit
159
00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:50,840
more maybe once a month.
What do you think sparked your
160
00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:53,400
interest in Urban Development
and city that's?
161
00:07:53,440 --> 00:07:59,360
A good question.
You know, to be real vulnerable
162
00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:03,960
here when I was a kid, I, you
know, experienced some housing
163
00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:07,480
and stability.
You know, my my folks were, were
164
00:08:07,480 --> 00:08:09,800
going to through some things my
mom was going through, like
165
00:08:09,800 --> 00:08:14,080
postpartum issues.
And we found ourselves, my twin
166
00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,680
sister and I in different
people's homes at different
167
00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:19,080
times, thankfully through the
support of our church.
168
00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:21,760
And I think that kind of stuck
with me.
169
00:08:21,760 --> 00:08:25,360
Like that was really ingrained.
Like, OK, I remember that kind
170
00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,520
of that feeling.
But we at the end of the day, we
171
00:08:28,520 --> 00:08:31,760
had, you know, say stable
housing to go back to, right,
172
00:08:31,760 --> 00:08:35,520
when our, you know, those those
health issues were worked out.
173
00:08:35,520 --> 00:08:39,200
And I think about how many
people don't have that.
174
00:08:40,039 --> 00:08:42,559
And I think that just always
drew me into community and
175
00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,240
housing specifically.
Yeah.
176
00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,320
How can people, like, get
involved and help with that
177
00:08:47,320 --> 00:08:50,560
mission here in Greenville?
Oh, wow, that's a good question.
178
00:08:51,160 --> 00:08:53,920
There's so many ways.
I mean, one of my clients is
179
00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:56,600
Habitat for Humanity.
That's a wonderful organization.
180
00:08:56,600 --> 00:09:00,040
We love them.
We've done builds so good.
181
00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:02,560
So much of one of the most
recent builds I did, actually,
182
00:09:03,040 --> 00:09:06,840
the owner that was going to live
in that house with her three
183
00:09:06,840 --> 00:09:10,680
children came and was right
there with us putting up the
184
00:09:10,680 --> 00:09:13,240
walls, putting in the windows.
And it was such a sweet
185
00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:16,600
experience to not only help and
give back to the community, but
186
00:09:16,600 --> 00:09:19,160
to hear about her story and meet
her family.
187
00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,200
So love them.
Like they put in that sweat
188
00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:24,040
equity as we.
Call it and that's.
189
00:09:24,040 --> 00:09:26,080
What all this stuff is about,
it's just giving people the
190
00:09:26,080 --> 00:09:31,360
opportunity to work and, and you
know, housing is not often a, an
191
00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:34,960
easy system to navigate and the
market is a market, right.
192
00:09:35,080 --> 00:09:39,040
And so it's really wonderful how
many nonprofits are out there
193
00:09:39,040 --> 00:09:41,960
doing the mission.
Another great one I used to work
194
00:09:41,960 --> 00:09:45,040
at was Greenville Housing Fund.
We were actually the city's kind
195
00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:46,960
of nonprofit arm for affordable
housing.
196
00:09:47,120 --> 00:09:48,680
Definitely get on their sign up
list.
197
00:09:48,680 --> 00:09:49,880
Is it new?
Tiffany Santiago.
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00:09:50,760 --> 00:09:52,680
Yeah, she's like really good
friend.
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00:09:52,680 --> 00:09:53,520
Oh.
Yeah, OK, good.
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00:09:53,640 --> 00:09:56,640
So Tiffany, I told you about her
recently.
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We had gotten lunch and so
active in the community and
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00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:02,320
she's like all about the
Greenville housing funds, says.
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00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:03,600
She's like one of my best
friends.
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00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:05,480
OK, good.
Well, tell her we said hey, OK,
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00:10:06,280 --> 00:10:09,640
But it sounds like they had all
kinds of opportunities for the
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community to get involved and
jump in and help.
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00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:14,120
So love that.
I can see especially.
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00:10:14,240 --> 00:10:17,120
Very good.
So what do you think that?
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00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:19,640
So you've also been obviously
been doing this for a while like
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Urban Development, city planning
and all this.
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00:10:21,680 --> 00:10:26,120
How has that helped like shape
your background, prepare you for
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00:10:26,120 --> 00:10:31,560
launching your own business?
Yes, I mean, I it's impossible
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00:10:31,560 --> 00:10:37,000
not to it's, or I should say
it's not possible to go into a
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00:10:37,000 --> 00:10:39,520
field like this without having
kind of a multitude of
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00:10:39,520 --> 00:10:41,040
experiences.
You know, I've worked on that
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00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,640
Housing and Urban Development
federal level with some of their
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00:10:45,640 --> 00:10:47,480
funds.
I've worked state, I've worked
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00:10:47,480 --> 00:10:51,680
locally.
And that's all helped form kind
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00:10:51,680 --> 00:10:55,600
of the breadth of what you might
think of as housing plan, your
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00:10:55,600 --> 00:10:58,840
community development planning.
And then I switched into urban
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planning, which is like more of
your hard city planning, your
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00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:05,920
traffic, your zoning and policy
and land use and all those
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00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,200
things together.
And then I worked also in the
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00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:11,080
policy and advocacy space.
So I have this big breadth of
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00:11:11,080 --> 00:11:14,520
experience that upon any client
or project I can bring to the
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table, and that's what's great
about.
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00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:19,920
So my knowledge with like,
affordable housing is limited.
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00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:23,560
Yeah.
How do you, like, how do we
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00:11:23,560 --> 00:11:25,880
promote affordable housing and
how do we better that,
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especially when there's like so
many people moving to Greenville
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00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:30,280
and it's growing so much and
housing prices are shooting up?
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00:11:30,280 --> 00:11:32,440
Like how do you address that
issue?
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00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:34,360
You know, here it's really
unique.
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00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,640
I think in the city we flipped
from about 60% home ownership to
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60% rental and in the last 10
years.
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00:11:43,440 --> 00:11:44,600
That doesn't.
Surprise me, right?
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00:11:44,600 --> 00:11:46,040
I mean and.
Apartments are shooting up left
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00:11:46,040 --> 00:11:46,280
and.
Right.
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00:11:46,280 --> 00:11:48,520
Yes, exactly, exactly.
And I don't think there's
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00:11:48,520 --> 00:11:51,520
anything wrong with apartments,
especially as, you know,
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00:11:51,520 --> 00:11:54,960
focusing them in key areas where
we can have strategic growth.
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00:11:56,040 --> 00:11:59,040
But that has to come with the
other systems and structures
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00:11:59,040 --> 00:12:02,720
like good transit to make sure
that all those cars are dumping
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00:12:03,120 --> 00:12:06,400
into our streets.
So but yeah, the housing, it's
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00:12:06,400 --> 00:12:08,200
not easy.
You know, I would love to see us
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00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:11,480
do some work on not only
increasing our affordable home
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00:12:11,480 --> 00:12:14,520
ownership again and building
those home ownership numbers,
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00:12:14,720 --> 00:12:17,480
but for those who do rent, you
know, building equity while you
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00:12:17,480 --> 00:12:20,640
rent cooperative programs like
other cities have.
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00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:25,240
And then also just Land Trust
models that keep takes the land
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00:12:25,240 --> 00:12:27,840
out of the equation when trying
to do home ownership.
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00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:31,080
That just makes it more
accessible for our teachers, our
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00:12:31,080 --> 00:12:34,560
police officers, folks who
really depend on in the
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00:12:34,560 --> 00:12:35,320
community.
Yeah.
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00:12:35,360 --> 00:12:38,640
So is it like when there's a
higher level of home ownership,
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00:12:38,680 --> 00:12:41,080
I guess that would make homes
more affordable?
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00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:44,440
Is that kind of?
Yes, inventory, yes, yes, yes,
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00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:47,240
100%.
The more inventory generally
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00:12:47,440 --> 00:12:50,120
you're going to have a
stabilization of rents.
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00:12:51,520 --> 00:12:54,400
You know, we're we need a good
bit of inventory I think to get
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00:12:54,400 --> 00:12:56,240
to that point, but it's happened
in other places.
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00:12:56,240 --> 00:13:00,440
So missing middle housing
building in some, you know, step
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00:13:00,440 --> 00:13:02,880
up smaller density to get there
as well.
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00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:08,000
OK, so a little bit about you.
As we walked in, Heath is
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00:13:08,000 --> 00:13:10,360
wearing his UNC Chapel Hill
shirt.
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00:13:10,400 --> 00:13:13,200
Yes, you mentioned that you are
a Tar Heel.
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00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:15,240
I am.
So tell us a little bit about
268
00:13:15,240 --> 00:13:17,560
what program you did at UNC
Chapel Hill.
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00:13:17,920 --> 00:13:20,720
I come from a world or work in a
world where there's all kinds of
270
00:13:20,720 --> 00:13:23,760
acronyms and certifications and
no one knows what they mean.
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00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,680
So tell us what you've got, what
they mean, and what you do with
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00:13:26,680 --> 00:13:28,120
those.
Yes, I guess.
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00:13:28,240 --> 00:13:29,560
I guess I have two little
acronyms.
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00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:33,880
So MPA.
So I got my Master Public
275
00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:36,600
Administration.
It's one of the leading schools
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00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:38,200
of government in the country.
Yeah.
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00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:39,240
Chapel Hill.
Let's go.
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00:13:40,040 --> 00:13:42,120
That's right.
Did you go to?
279
00:13:42,120 --> 00:13:43,840
Did you do it in person or?
Did you?
280
00:13:43,840 --> 00:13:45,680
I did a hybrid program.
Oh cool.
281
00:13:45,680 --> 00:13:47,560
So it was like half there?
Half.
282
00:13:47,640 --> 00:13:48,880
How often did you have to go
there?
283
00:13:50,920 --> 00:13:53,080
Just like a few times a year
kind of thing.
284
00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:56,120
Like your program?
Mine is we kind of go optional.
285
00:13:56,120 --> 00:13:59,880
So I've been once and then I
don't really have to go again,
286
00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,160
but I can't.
Yeah, we're going in the fall.
287
00:14:02,400 --> 00:14:05,960
That was an international.
Trip actually we're going more
288
00:14:05,960 --> 00:14:09,000
important we're going for the
Clemson UNC Chapel football.
289
00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:15,120
So we are going in the fall for.
Football, you see what's?
290
00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:18,080
Important to me, football for
him, not so much, but we are
291
00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,480
going in the fall, so hopefully
we'll get an opportunity to go
292
00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:24,800
on campus and maybe there's a
day or two you can do some stuff
293
00:14:24,800 --> 00:14:27,520
while we're there, but.
So I guess you when did you get
294
00:14:27,520 --> 00:14:30,560
that MPA, like right after
undergrad or did you wait a
295
00:14:30,560 --> 00:14:31,120
couple?
Years.
296
00:14:31,200 --> 00:14:34,480
No, actually, between, I did the
AmeriCorps program, which is
297
00:14:34,480 --> 00:14:36,240
like the Peace Corps but
domestic.
298
00:14:36,960 --> 00:14:40,520
So I did that and that's just
really brought me back to the
299
00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:42,840
Greenville area.
I was like, I want to, I want to
300
00:14:42,840 --> 00:14:44,680
get back here.
I'm gonna be around my family
301
00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:48,600
and they had an opening at the
county Redevelopment Authority,
302
00:14:48,600 --> 00:14:50,960
which is local government
through AmeriCorps.
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00:14:50,960 --> 00:14:53,160
And I had, you know, been here
since.
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00:14:53,800 --> 00:14:58,560
But yeah, I got I worked and
commute to do the program
305
00:14:58,560 --> 00:15:02,440
because it was it was high like
before Covad, you know, they
306
00:15:02,440 --> 00:15:04,480
were just starting to do some of
this.
307
00:15:05,200 --> 00:15:06,640
I.
Don't think zoom was a thing
308
00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:09,960
really.
So I sound like so old when I
309
00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:11,520
say that I.
Think it was like Skype or
310
00:15:11,520 --> 00:15:15,720
something.
It was a Skype type thing, but
311
00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:18,360
it was great because I got to
spend a lot of time in that area
312
00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:20,360
too and they have some really
great planning.
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00:15:20,880 --> 00:15:23,160
My focus was on community and
economic development.
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00:15:23,160 --> 00:15:27,560
So study things from
sustainability to, you know, how
315
00:15:27,560 --> 00:15:32,320
do we forego kind of the
traditional economic development
316
00:15:32,320 --> 00:15:35,840
that's kind of died out and how
do we move to a more of tech
317
00:15:35,840 --> 00:15:39,160
market and entrepreneurial
market and attract those things
318
00:15:39,160 --> 00:15:42,480
while making sure how
affordability is addressed and
319
00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:43,720
cost of living and all those
things.
320
00:15:44,080 --> 00:15:47,960
So how's the, I mean, obviously
City Council is very, I would
321
00:15:47,960 --> 00:15:49,600
say just you're on the go a lot,
very busy.
322
00:15:49,920 --> 00:15:52,320
Yes, yes.
How has that been so far?
323
00:15:52,320 --> 00:15:54,880
When did you like announce that
you're running and what inspired
324
00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,120
you to run?
Yeah, I filed in March this
325
00:15:57,160 --> 00:16:00,000
year.
You know, really I think it
326
00:16:00,000 --> 00:16:01,360
comes down to me being a
planner.
327
00:16:02,000 --> 00:16:04,840
You know, I, I see where we're
headed.
328
00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:07,240
I work in the low country a lot.
OK.
329
00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:11,480
So at five, 1015 years from now,
we could be in those same spot,
330
00:16:11,560 --> 00:16:13,200
right?
Where they're not really saying
331
00:16:13,200 --> 00:16:15,960
quality of living anymore
because of the cost of housing,
332
00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:18,520
because of the traffic.
Charleston's yeah.
333
00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:22,040
I mean, where in the low country
are you spending your time?
334
00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:24,880
North Charleston?
Georgetown.
335
00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:27,800
Are you going to Allendale at
all or no?
336
00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:32,440
Smaller ones like.
Walter bro Dylan, we've got from
337
00:16:32,440 --> 00:16:35,480
from Dylan, but our church is
very involved with the Allendale
338
00:16:35,480 --> 00:16:37,320
community.
That's why I asked about that.
339
00:16:37,640 --> 00:16:39,240
They're doing a lot there, but I
think.
340
00:16:40,560 --> 00:16:44,840
We're doing a whole series of
the state rural development and
341
00:16:44,840 --> 00:16:48,000
it's wonderful because they're
so some of these smaller towns,
342
00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:51,360
they don't have planning staff
and so it's a great way to be
343
00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:54,600
able to get in and get in there
and lend some expertise.
344
00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:58,800
And I just love small.
So are you helping small towns
345
00:16:58,800 --> 00:17:01,000
like develop and kind of OK?
Yeah.
346
00:17:01,120 --> 00:17:04,319
Are they planning to like become
a bigger town or?
347
00:17:04,319 --> 00:17:07,800
Well, whether they plan it or
not, all the data is.
348
00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:09,640
They're all going to be.
It's coming their way.
349
00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:12,079
Yeah.
So we are kind of quickly
350
00:17:12,079 --> 00:17:15,040
becoming Florida.
Oh.
351
00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:19,960
Wow, yeah.
The halfback situation and our
352
00:17:20,480 --> 00:17:24,560
in the city too, our retiree
count is really climbing.
353
00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:27,640
So while we're having a lot of
younger folks move here, our
354
00:17:27,640 --> 00:17:30,360
average median age is also
rising.
355
00:17:30,360 --> 00:17:34,720
So that does a lot of things, a
lot of good things for tourism
356
00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:36,880
and things like that, but it's
also like balancing your
357
00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:41,000
workforce and and things.
So yeah, I mean, I can see what
358
00:17:41,000 --> 00:17:44,240
happens if we don't take care of
traffic, if we are not paying
359
00:17:44,240 --> 00:17:48,840
attention to housing cost, child
care for cutting down our trees
360
00:17:48,840 --> 00:17:51,240
with all the development, you
know, I see it.
361
00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:52,680
So I just want to make sure we
protect.
362
00:17:52,680 --> 00:17:55,960
That is Charleston on the way to
becoming a pretty like massive
363
00:17:55,960 --> 00:17:58,320
economic development.
Oh, it already is.
364
00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:03,080
Yeah, they have a considerable,
no, it really is.
365
00:18:03,400 --> 00:18:06,640
They have a considerably larger
footprint economic development
366
00:18:06,640 --> 00:18:08,360
wise in Greenville.
I think it's three to four
367
00:18:08,360 --> 00:18:10,360
times.
And so our city is really,
368
00:18:10,440 --> 00:18:14,680
they've launched a local
Greenville area, Greenville
369
00:18:14,680 --> 00:18:20,480
Economic Development Corporation
to help work towards that to be
370
00:18:20,480 --> 00:18:22,840
just as competitive as a low
country.
371
00:18:22,840 --> 00:18:25,600
And we certainly will be there I
think soon and that's great.
372
00:18:25,600 --> 00:18:28,400
Like growth is good.
I'm very pro growth, I'm pro
373
00:18:28,400 --> 00:18:33,240
development.
I am pro smart development
374
00:18:33,240 --> 00:18:35,600
though.
Like when I see, you know, giant
375
00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:38,360
something being built and I'm
like, OK, think about all the
376
00:18:38,360 --> 00:18:41,960
cars on the road.
Are we incentivizing them to not
377
00:18:41,960 --> 00:18:45,000
use those?
Or is this building towering
378
00:18:45,000 --> 00:18:47,960
over this park over here?
You know, these are all like
379
00:18:47,960 --> 00:18:49,800
real considerations we have to
make and.
380
00:18:49,800 --> 00:18:51,400
It's you can definitely grow too
quick.
381
00:18:51,400 --> 00:18:53,520
I mean, a lot of people would
argue that Green Hill is growing
382
00:18:53,520 --> 00:18:54,120
too quick.
Well.
383
00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,040
Infrastructure wise, we we
definitely have right and I
384
00:18:57,040 --> 00:19:00,520
would love to see, you know,
using technology like keep our
385
00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:04,280
red, keep our lights flowing,
keep our cars moving.
386
00:19:04,440 --> 00:19:06,640
If someone's speeding, if
someone's running a red light,
387
00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:08,640
which some of this you do have
to stay and change on the state
388
00:19:08,640 --> 00:19:10,560
level.
But you can use technology like
389
00:19:10,560 --> 00:19:14,080
drones and get to get around
that to it'll show up in the
390
00:19:14,080 --> 00:19:15,520
mail.
You're like, OK, you were going
391
00:19:15,520 --> 00:19:17,880
50 and a 25 I'm sorry that's you
Heath.
392
00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:21,080
But we need to capture that
revenue and make our streets
393
00:19:21,080 --> 00:19:24,000
safer and then we can put that
towards like a really efficient
394
00:19:24,000 --> 00:19:26,120
trolley system.
You know, I've lived in cities
395
00:19:26,120 --> 00:19:29,520
where even medium sized cities
like Knoxville, TN, Yeah.
396
00:19:29,560 --> 00:19:32,040
I have a great story of
Knoxville, TN and the traffic
397
00:19:32,040 --> 00:19:33,200
light stuff.
There we go.
398
00:19:33,680 --> 00:19:36,320
I mean the young professionals
would get on the trolleys to go
399
00:19:36,320 --> 00:19:37,920
to work.
It was not uncommon.
400
00:19:37,960 --> 00:19:39,280
Yeah, that's cool.
Yeah, I used to live in
401
00:19:39,280 --> 00:19:42,360
Knoxville, OK and said they have
those like drones or at like a
402
00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,120
red light.
Yes, they have cameras.
403
00:19:44,120 --> 00:19:47,960
So if you turn right without
stopping all the way, you will
404
00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:49,200
get a ticket in the mail.
That's.
405
00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:52,480
Right and you can put that money
and people know because I mean
406
00:19:52,480 --> 00:19:53,680
I'm sure y'all have seen it
around town.
407
00:19:53,800 --> 00:19:56,280
How many people run a red light?
Yeah, they call it the five
408
00:19:56,280 --> 00:19:58,560
second rule now in Greenville.
Yeah, you don't.
409
00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,600
You don't take a left like you
got to wait because someone is.
410
00:20:01,600 --> 00:20:04,960
Going to come around, especially
is very especially is extremely
411
00:20:04,960 --> 00:20:06,320
dangerous.
There's a wreck there.
412
00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:06,800
Ms. Every.
Day.
413
00:20:06,880 --> 00:20:09,360
Daily.
Yes, because I noticed on
414
00:20:09,360 --> 00:20:11,480
Lawrence the other day, they've
done a lot of improvements to
415
00:20:11,480 --> 00:20:15,040
make the flow better.
But some of the lights, it's so
416
00:20:15,040 --> 00:20:18,360
short when you're trying to get
on the Lawrence or get off
417
00:20:18,360 --> 00:20:21,880
Lawrence, it gets backed up and
so everyone's running the red
418
00:20:21,880 --> 00:20:24,200
because literally the light is
this fast.
419
00:20:24,200 --> 00:20:27,000
It's terrible, yeah.
And we just need to invest more
420
00:20:27,000 --> 00:20:28,600
in technology to.
Fix that.
421
00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:31,280
Yeah, that's great.
I'm sure there's so much we
422
00:20:31,280 --> 00:20:32,880
could get into about roads and
traffic.
423
00:20:33,080 --> 00:20:34,880
I know, I'm sorry.
No, that's good.
424
00:20:34,960 --> 00:20:37,320
About fixing the roads and the
potholes, yes.
425
00:20:37,960 --> 00:20:43,160
So on the governor level, I
helped with Governor Mcmasters
426
00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:47,880
campaign when I was in college
and really got insight into what
427
00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:50,920
your world looks like.
I work in financial services so
428
00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:55,240
this is not my world, but it was
a great experience to really
429
00:20:55,240 --> 00:20:58,320
work all day long, put signs
out, go door knocking and do the
430
00:20:58,320 --> 00:21:00,960
traditional campaigning.
So with that being said, what
431
00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:02,840
does campaign season look like
for you?
432
00:21:03,320 --> 00:21:06,680
And then to what are your key or
top priorities that you're
433
00:21:06,680 --> 00:21:08,600
really pushing out to the
community?
434
00:21:08,600 --> 00:21:09,960
For sure.
Yeah.
435
00:21:09,960 --> 00:21:13,160
I mean it, it's a really over a
year long process.
436
00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:17,520
Even before you file, you've got
to kind of lay some groundwork.
437
00:21:17,760 --> 00:21:20,480
But we're very, you know, people
powered like you've got just
438
00:21:20,480 --> 00:21:23,040
some young folks.
And 1st I want to say thank you
439
00:21:23,040 --> 00:21:25,400
for volunteering.
On It was so fun.
440
00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:26,960
It was a great college
experience.
441
00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:31,320
I worked on so many, just
volunteered for so many, you
442
00:21:31,320 --> 00:21:34,720
know, over the years.
You it's just fun camaraderie.
443
00:21:34,720 --> 00:21:36,840
And it is like, just go out
there and meet people.
444
00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:38,720
That's what it's about,
knocking.
445
00:21:38,720 --> 00:21:41,200
Doors.
Yes, great networking
446
00:21:41,200 --> 00:21:44,080
opportunity because all the
events the governor would put on
447
00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,880
to his campaign during his
campaign race and whatnot.
448
00:21:47,280 --> 00:21:50,000
I got to meet so many different
business leaders all over the
449
00:21:50,000 --> 00:21:52,080
state of South Carolina and
people running for positions
450
00:21:52,080 --> 00:21:54,800
like yours and from you all the
way to the governor, you know,
451
00:21:54,800 --> 00:21:58,320
saying it was a great
opportunity to network and meet
452
00:21:58,320 --> 00:22:00,440
people.
And I think you find that you
453
00:22:00,440 --> 00:22:03,640
have a lot more in common when
you're talking to people face to
454
00:22:03,640 --> 00:22:06,040
face.
I think we've become so
455
00:22:07,160 --> 00:22:10,320
polarized, but the reality is
most people would just want like
456
00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:14,200
the American dream.
We want that.
457
00:22:14,200 --> 00:22:17,680
We want, you know, stable
housing and, you know, good
458
00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:21,960
education for our kids, safety,
to be in a safe community.
459
00:22:22,120 --> 00:22:24,800
And those are the things we're
pushing for our our BIG4
460
00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:28,680
priorities, our housing
affordability, especially for
461
00:22:28,680 --> 00:22:32,520
like our generation younger.
I feel like, you know, it's left
462
00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,040
been left out of that.
You know, it's very hard to to
463
00:22:35,040 --> 00:22:38,240
enter the market.
So flipping that 60%
464
00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:40,480
homeownership and rental,
getting that back closer to a
465
00:22:40,480 --> 00:22:45,440
healthy level, making sure we
reduce traffic through mobility.
466
00:22:45,520 --> 00:22:48,560
I would love to have a small
efficient trolley system.
467
00:22:48,560 --> 00:22:51,320
Like imagine if you could just I
mean, y'all on a really good Rd.
468
00:22:51,480 --> 00:22:54,240
Yeah, you just hop on the
trolley, get downtown or get to
469
00:22:54,240 --> 00:22:56,080
some major.
Areas and being it for sure.
470
00:22:56,080 --> 00:22:57,520
I love the trolleys we have
downtown.
471
00:22:57,520 --> 00:22:58,320
I know.
Me too.
472
00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:00,840
We've.
Been on it one time, but we
473
00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:03,520
didn't know where it was going,
but we just wanted to test it
474
00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:05,440
out.
So we hopped on and yeah, were
475
00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:06,880
you taking this?
And they were like, actually to
476
00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:08,320
the parking lot.
We're like, we'll go.
477
00:23:08,320 --> 00:23:09,120
We just want to.
Go.
478
00:23:09,840 --> 00:23:10,960
Because it's fun.
Yeah.
479
00:23:11,000 --> 00:23:12,680
We used to have street cars and
all that.
480
00:23:13,040 --> 00:23:16,040
And I would love our buses just
to be like those going out to
481
00:23:16,040 --> 00:23:18,520
the other municipalities and
going to the big employment
482
00:23:18,520 --> 00:23:20,600
centers.
Like my husband works, you know,
483
00:23:20,880 --> 00:23:25,280
near BMW, He's got a supplier,
thousands people, 20,000 people
484
00:23:25,280 --> 00:23:27,800
carpooled to work every day.
They should be taking the bus.
485
00:23:27,800 --> 00:23:30,160
But like it's not an efficient
system because we don't invest
486
00:23:30,160 --> 00:23:32,760
in it.
Next would be trees, making sure
487
00:23:32,760 --> 00:23:35,800
we protect our open space or
green space particularly.
488
00:23:35,800 --> 00:23:39,200
We lost so many trees during the
hurricane and we're sitting on a
489
00:23:39,200 --> 00:23:41,320
good a few $1,000,000 of tree
fees.
490
00:23:41,320 --> 00:23:44,200
So I would love for for this
city to work with private
491
00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,920
homeowners to get those
replanted because like you said,
492
00:23:47,920 --> 00:23:52,640
like the trees are what keep
Greenville green and the West
493
00:23:52,640 --> 00:23:54,960
side of town, like development
is just taking them down.
494
00:23:54,960 --> 00:23:57,120
You can look at this heat map
and the east side of town looks
495
00:23:57,120 --> 00:23:59,920
great.
West side of town, not so much.
496
00:24:01,040 --> 00:24:02,560
And then last would be
childcare.
497
00:24:02,640 --> 00:24:05,760
I mean, we live in a childcare
desert and just with some tweaks
498
00:24:05,760 --> 00:24:09,360
and like zoning and some
interesting models out there
499
00:24:09,360 --> 00:24:12,120
that other cities used, we could
help improve some childcare
500
00:24:12,120 --> 00:24:14,520
acts.
Childcare is a big topic.
501
00:24:14,520 --> 00:24:16,520
I'm hearing.
I'm involved with Greenville
502
00:24:16,520 --> 00:24:18,160
Women Giving.
Yeah, if you're familiar with
503
00:24:18,160 --> 00:24:20,680
the organization.
But they put on several
504
00:24:20,680 --> 00:24:22,880
educational events throughout
the year, and the most recent
505
00:24:22,880 --> 00:24:26,120
one I attended was about
childcare, and the statistics
506
00:24:26,120 --> 00:24:28,520
were alarming.
OK, so who was it?
507
00:24:28,680 --> 00:24:30,680
Derrick Lewis.
Yes, yes, yes.
508
00:24:30,680 --> 00:24:33,440
And he did a great job.
So that was a great session.
509
00:24:33,440 --> 00:24:36,080
I came home and told Heath.
I was like, I had no idea that
510
00:24:36,080 --> 00:24:40,120
it was as bad as it is.
I had a gun for both of my girls
511
00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:42,800
who are now 3:00 and 6:00 but
still this is very pertinent
512
00:24:42,800 --> 00:24:45,880
today.
Like I had to get on list before
513
00:24:45,880 --> 00:24:47,360
I was pregnant.
Right, right.
514
00:24:47,360 --> 00:24:50,080
That's what we hear.
And it was still five months
515
00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:53,000
before they.
Started yeah, now I'm here and
516
00:24:53,000 --> 00:24:54,760
we've got friends in the
neighborhood having kids, so the
517
00:24:54,760 --> 00:24:57,360
wait lists are at least the
local ones were around our
518
00:24:57,360 --> 00:24:59,640
neighborhood, the Goddard School
legacy, the wait lists are two
519
00:24:59,640 --> 00:25:02,320
years long.
So yes, it is crazy.
520
00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:04,520
So anyways, love that that's one
of your initiatives, so.
521
00:25:04,840 --> 00:25:06,480
Thank you.
That's a good, I don't know,
522
00:25:06,480 --> 00:25:10,400
entrepreneurial idea.
Absolutely.
523
00:25:10,800 --> 00:25:13,560
More of them.
Yes, in home care providers.
524
00:25:13,560 --> 00:25:16,240
That's why I say changing some
of the zoning would be helpful.
525
00:25:17,480 --> 00:25:20,160
The center that my daughter is
at now, my 3 year old, it
526
00:25:20,160 --> 00:25:22,960
couldn't be built today based
on, I mean it could be, but you
527
00:25:22,960 --> 00:25:24,600
have to go all these extra
levels.
528
00:25:24,600 --> 00:25:28,320
So it's hard to get a child care
facility like up in business.
529
00:25:28,320 --> 00:25:31,120
And four in these four
residential districts, yes.
530
00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:34,400
Yes, yeah.
Let's see where we could do some
531
00:25:34,400 --> 00:25:36,560
improvements there then of.
Course and like the Gutter
532
00:25:36,560 --> 00:25:38,600
School, which is right here next
to us because they have a
533
00:25:38,600 --> 00:25:41,800
location in Fountain here and
then they open one on Pelham
534
00:25:41,800 --> 00:25:46,000
Road and the one on Pelham from
what I've heard already has wait
535
00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,720
lists and they sent a bunch of
students here from the Woodruff
536
00:25:49,720 --> 00:25:52,520
Ride location over there because
of how full it was.
537
00:25:52,520 --> 00:25:55,720
So even if they open it's quick
spots are taken.
538
00:25:55,760 --> 00:25:58,800
Yes, what people don't realize
is you can also, if you want to
539
00:25:58,800 --> 00:26:02,960
become an in home care provider,
there's so many benefits to
540
00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:04,920
that.
Like you can get your grad, your
541
00:26:04,920 --> 00:26:09,760
undergraduate degree paid for,
you can get training, you know,
542
00:26:10,120 --> 00:26:13,000
and honestly, that's some of the
only child care you can get if
543
00:26:13,000 --> 00:26:15,280
you're somebody who works like
second or third shift or you're
544
00:26:15,280 --> 00:26:17,000
in kind of a less of a nine to
five.
545
00:26:18,560 --> 00:26:22,200
But we've got to incentivize
folks to do that because you
546
00:26:22,200 --> 00:26:25,680
know, that also takes just
knowledge and getting out there
547
00:26:25,680 --> 00:26:26,800
in education.
So what?
548
00:26:26,800 --> 00:26:29,520
Do you think's been the biggest
shocker of running for City
549
00:26:29,520 --> 00:26:31,440
Council?
Wow.
550
00:26:31,720 --> 00:26:34,880
Shocker.
Have there been any surprises
551
00:26:34,880 --> 00:26:36,520
like, oh, I didn't think that
would be that difficult, or I
552
00:26:36,520 --> 00:26:38,880
didn't think that would be that
easy, or some of that stuff?
553
00:26:39,440 --> 00:26:42,080
That's a good question.
I don't know.
554
00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:45,560
So this is my second time.
I ran for state Senate six years
555
00:26:45,560 --> 00:26:48,200
ago, which was nuts because I
had a six month old.
556
00:26:49,480 --> 00:26:53,080
Good for you.
So it's not my, it's not my
557
00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,120
first rodeo.
So luckily I don't think I've
558
00:26:55,120 --> 00:26:59,280
had any surprises yet.
But you know, everything's
559
00:26:59,280 --> 00:27:02,560
different.
I every race is different.
560
00:27:04,120 --> 00:27:08,640
I think I've pleasantly been
surprised just how these are.
561
00:27:08,640 --> 00:27:11,920
So I mean, it is technically
like a partisan race, but these
562
00:27:11,920 --> 00:27:15,440
aren't blue or red issues are
very much planning and growth
563
00:27:15,440 --> 00:27:17,360
oriented.
So it doesn't matter who you're
564
00:27:17,360 --> 00:27:19,720
talking to, they understand that
like we've got to be
565
00:27:19,720 --> 00:27:20,840
responsible.
They're good.
566
00:27:21,480 --> 00:27:25,240
Was running for Senate the first
go, Was that any like surprises
567
00:27:25,240 --> 00:27:30,440
there?
Oh, yeah, I got a lot of,
568
00:27:30,440 --> 00:27:32,960
because I just had a child, I
got a lot of like, who's going
569
00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:37,040
to take care of your baby?
And I was just like, yeah, we
570
00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:39,920
have childcare and I have a
husband.
571
00:27:41,120 --> 00:27:45,400
There is a plan.
I mean, just a lot of that.
572
00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:49,160
And how will you manage this and
be a mom?
573
00:27:49,160 --> 00:27:51,240
And I was just thinking, do they
ask this to men?
574
00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:55,640
I'm not sure those questions.
And so I'm really lucky to have
575
00:27:55,640 --> 00:27:57,560
just an amazing partner, to be
honest.
576
00:27:57,560 --> 00:28:01,240
Like he is such a rock and he's
the opposite of me.
577
00:28:01,240 --> 00:28:04,880
Like I well, I'm I'm probably an
Amber, but he's like introvert.
578
00:28:04,880 --> 00:28:08,760
So he is just like I'm down to
like watch the kids and he's a
579
00:28:08,760 --> 00:28:10,320
triathlete too, so it works out
well.
580
00:28:10,320 --> 00:28:12,320
So like I'll have my hobby, I
guess.
581
00:28:12,360 --> 00:28:13,560
Right now who's running for
office?
582
00:28:13,560 --> 00:28:14,960
Is it a hobby?
I guess yeah, it.
583
00:28:14,960 --> 00:28:19,160
Takes a lot of time.
The time suck for sure, but he
584
00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:22,240
can then be like, OK, I'm going
on a three hour run, I'm going
585
00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:24,120
on a bike ride.
And so it's nice to really
586
00:28:24,120 --> 00:28:25,960
support each each other in those
dreams.
587
00:28:26,440 --> 00:28:28,720
That's amazing.
Well, that's a lot you're taking
588
00:28:28,720 --> 00:28:31,400
on right now.
And like you said, a huge ton
589
00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:35,040
suck, but let's shift real quick
over to your business.
590
00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,520
So, Catalyst Community
Consulting.
591
00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:42,440
What was the most difficult part
of starting your own business?
592
00:28:45,560 --> 00:28:48,800
Honestly I think just taking the
leap was the hardest part, if
593
00:28:48,800 --> 00:28:52,800
that makes sense.
Like I've always seen myself,
594
00:28:53,120 --> 00:28:56,320
most of my career was in
government, then worked in non
595
00:28:56,320 --> 00:28:58,480
profit space, so always in the
public sector.
596
00:28:58,480 --> 00:29:00,600
I was like, even though I've
worked a lot with the private
597
00:29:00,600 --> 00:29:04,440
sector, kind of is that liaison?
It was like, oh, I don't know
598
00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,040
how to do this.
I'm not sure if I can do this.
599
00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:12,440
And I think at some point you
just got to like take that risk.
600
00:29:12,760 --> 00:29:16,080
You got to jump in that boat.
And I've been so pleasantly
601
00:29:16,080 --> 00:29:20,240
surprised.
I haven't had to market or
602
00:29:20,240 --> 00:29:21,760
promote.
Everything's just been through
603
00:29:21,760 --> 00:29:25,480
word of mouth.
And I think that's just lean on
604
00:29:25,480 --> 00:29:28,400
on yourself and trust yourself
and your expertise.
605
00:29:28,400 --> 00:29:31,080
That's very fortunate because I
feel like at first, especially
606
00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:34,160
like a lot of businesses have a
hard time getting going that
607
00:29:34,160 --> 00:29:36,280
first year, three years, you
know, getting momentum.
608
00:29:36,280 --> 00:29:38,240
But it sounds like you've
already accomplished a lot of, I
609
00:29:38,240 --> 00:29:39,880
think.
It's a niche thing to be honest
610
00:29:39,880 --> 00:29:42,160
too.
Not everybody focuses on
611
00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:46,840
affordable housing and it's such
a growing need, right?
612
00:29:46,840 --> 00:29:50,600
I mean, unfortunately, I wish
this was not like a job.
613
00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:54,120
The idea is that you like work
yourself out of a job in
614
00:29:54,120 --> 00:29:56,600
something like this, but it's
really important.
615
00:29:56,600 --> 00:29:59,640
So I just am very fortunate.
I have some great folks who've
616
00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:02,440
really spoken on my behalf and
gotten new work just across the
617
00:30:02,440 --> 00:30:03,960
country.
So when people come to you and
618
00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,680
they're asking for your
services, are you the subject
619
00:30:06,680 --> 00:30:09,840
matter expert in affordable
housing or is it something else
620
00:30:09,840 --> 00:30:10,920
that you would think that you
are the.
621
00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,400
It could be community
engagement.
622
00:30:15,320 --> 00:30:18,880
I'm big, you know, on processes,
how to engage the community and
623
00:30:18,880 --> 00:30:21,640
how do we make sure that
people's voices are heard in the
624
00:30:21,640 --> 00:30:23,720
planning process.
That's a big part of being, I
625
00:30:23,720 --> 00:30:26,720
guess I didn't say my second
acronym is AICP and the American
626
00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:28,600
Institute for Certified
Planners.
627
00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:32,320
You know, it's about carrying
out what the committees said
628
00:30:32,320 --> 00:30:34,720
that they care about.
You know, I think at the lot, a
629
00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:38,400
lot of times there's a lot of
decisions made-up here, but in
630
00:30:38,400 --> 00:30:39,960
planning, you really have to
make sure that you're
631
00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:44,920
incorporating that grassroots.
So it's community engagement, it
632
00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:48,320
affordable housing, but also do
I do city plans I helped with I
633
00:30:48,320 --> 00:30:50,120
helped write the city of T Rs
master plan.
634
00:30:50,120 --> 00:30:52,680
That's T Rs like a beautiful
town.
635
00:30:52,880 --> 00:30:57,520
TR It's just little like towns
like that I get to work in.
636
00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:02,640
So county plans, city plans,
comprehensive plans, master
637
00:31:02,640 --> 00:31:05,520
plans, development codes, fun
stuff.
638
00:31:07,280 --> 00:31:09,120
Love it.
Park plans though too.
639
00:31:09,120 --> 00:31:11,560
I get to do some of those.
Like State Park, there's local
640
00:31:11,560 --> 00:31:12,160
parks and.
Stuff, Yeah.
641
00:31:12,160 --> 00:31:13,160
State and local parks.
Cool.
642
00:31:13,360 --> 00:31:14,440
Yeah.
That's great.
643
00:31:14,440 --> 00:31:18,640
So how do you help your clients
translate ideas into big
644
00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:21,040
meaningful impacts in whatever
location they're in?
645
00:31:21,040 --> 00:31:24,160
Yeah.
I think building up if it's, you
646
00:31:24,160 --> 00:31:26,400
know, from the communities
generally when you're hearing it
647
00:31:26,400 --> 00:31:29,560
from, you might have some
interest coming from elected
648
00:31:29,560 --> 00:31:33,000
officials or government bodies
or even maybe it's a private
649
00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:35,320
developer and they're saying
like we want to do some
650
00:31:35,320 --> 00:31:39,120
affordability in this project.
You're, you're finding, you
651
00:31:39,120 --> 00:31:41,720
know, case studies and research
and best practices.
652
00:31:41,720 --> 00:31:44,200
And these are ones I've direct
experience with either carrying
653
00:31:44,200 --> 00:31:46,880
them out, getting them started,
passing policy.
654
00:31:47,760 --> 00:31:50,800
But I think a big part of it is
that messaging and communicating
655
00:31:50,800 --> 00:31:54,560
it up so that no matter what
people feel bought in to
656
00:31:54,560 --> 00:31:57,800
whatever that is.
Because the last thing you want
657
00:31:57,800 --> 00:32:01,400
is somebody like surprised
about, OK, like we're we're
658
00:32:01,400 --> 00:32:04,360
doing missing middle housing and
trying to make some more housing
659
00:32:04,360 --> 00:32:06,840
inventory in our community.
But they don't know what that
660
00:32:06,840 --> 00:32:08,880
means.
And like, it sounds like a very
661
00:32:09,320 --> 00:32:13,000
scary thing.
So I think you're translating
662
00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:15,800
and messaging is a huge part,
but getting that, getting that
663
00:32:16,080 --> 00:32:17,480
buy in.
From the ground, is there a
664
00:32:17,480 --> 00:32:20,400
success story you have with one
of your clients, one that you
665
00:32:20,400 --> 00:32:21,720
could share?
Yeah, OK.
666
00:32:21,720 --> 00:32:32,400
Let me think yes, this one was a
actually for the city of
667
00:32:32,400 --> 00:32:34,600
Greenville very.
Good.
668
00:32:34,600 --> 00:32:37,760
See appropriate good one.
So they're they can no longer be
669
00:32:37,760 --> 00:32:40,760
my client.
Of course, I think technically
670
00:32:40,760 --> 00:32:45,000
not until am elected, but we
just we're not going that route
671
00:32:45,000 --> 00:32:47,720
just to be a kosher.
But yeah, got.
672
00:32:47,720 --> 00:32:51,560
A lot of accusations.
In the past, you know, I, I
673
00:32:51,560 --> 00:32:55,600
worked with them to do a housing
impact analysis and that opened
674
00:32:55,600 --> 00:32:59,200
up fun funding for state
accommodations tax that passed a
675
00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:02,840
few years ago.
Senator Davis out of, you know,
676
00:33:02,840 --> 00:33:07,280
Beaufort area pushed for some of
the accommodations tax for like
677
00:33:07,280 --> 00:33:13,280
for hotels to go towards a 15%
could go towards workforce
678
00:33:13,280 --> 00:33:14,680
housing.
So supporting those who are
679
00:33:14,680 --> 00:33:17,080
actually in the hotels, you
know, doing that.
680
00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:21,800
And locally we could access that
immediately, but statewide we
681
00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:23,400
actually had to write a housing
analysis.
682
00:33:23,400 --> 00:33:25,400
Any municipality would have to
write a housing analysis.
683
00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:29,880
What's really funny is that I
argued against that when I was
684
00:33:29,880 --> 00:33:32,000
at the housing fund.
I said that's a whole nother
685
00:33:32,000 --> 00:33:33,760
barrier.
That's a whole nother thing we
686
00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:35,240
got to do.
If they already have a master
687
00:33:35,240 --> 00:33:38,840
plan and a comp plan or a comp
plan, the city plan, like why
688
00:33:38,840 --> 00:33:40,200
have to do that?
And now I'm writing them.
689
00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:46,280
It's kind of an ironic tale of
sorts, but I love it because I
690
00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:49,480
get to work with all these
different municipalities and
691
00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:52,720
open up funding for them for
this important issue.
692
00:33:52,880 --> 00:33:55,160
Yeah.
Do you have trouble raising your
693
00:33:55,160 --> 00:33:57,360
voice in some of these meetings
or speaking your mind at all?
694
00:33:57,360 --> 00:34:00,560
Or you just feel free to you?
Know that's what's great about
695
00:34:00,560 --> 00:34:02,520
the consultant.
It's like they're they're
696
00:34:02,520 --> 00:34:05,320
leaning on you for your opinion,
your expertise.
697
00:34:06,360 --> 00:34:09,239
But yeah, certainly, yeah, it'll
be different as as an elected
698
00:34:09,239 --> 00:34:13,600
official to an extent, right.
If a consultants getting up
699
00:34:13,600 --> 00:34:15,679
there and they're saying feel I
don't think I'm going to be like
700
00:34:15,760 --> 00:34:17,400
jumping in and be like, well, I
disagree.
701
00:34:17,880 --> 00:34:21,080
You know, I would imagine do
some of these smaller
702
00:34:21,080 --> 00:34:24,120
communities around the
Charleston area kind of like not
703
00:34:24,120 --> 00:34:26,120
believe you so much when you're
like, hey, your city's going to
704
00:34:26,120 --> 00:34:28,560
grow, your town's going to grow
because Charleston's growing so
705
00:34:28,560 --> 00:34:30,320
much.
Are they like, Nah, we're we're
706
00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:31,480
good or what?
What is there?
707
00:34:31,480 --> 00:34:34,320
Now I think so many of them are
already seeing the pull.
708
00:34:34,560 --> 00:34:36,199
I'd say there's.
Charleston's believable.
709
00:34:36,520 --> 00:34:37,679
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Place is.
710
00:34:37,679 --> 00:34:40,400
Exploding Georgetown.
They get it.
711
00:34:40,480 --> 00:34:43,040
You know, I'd say like
Walterboro, if I think of them,
712
00:34:43,040 --> 00:34:45,600
you know, their county has
exploded, but their city is kind
713
00:34:45,600 --> 00:34:49,440
of, I think lacking some
economic development and big and
714
00:34:49,440 --> 00:34:51,960
bigger employers.
So, and that's an interesting
715
00:34:51,960 --> 00:34:54,920
thing is because one of the
strategies I've learned from the
716
00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:57,880
low, from the smaller towns, I'd
actually love to see in our
717
00:34:57,880 --> 00:35:03,760
city, they work to push
development into cities so we're
718
00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:07,120
not sprawling everywhere.
And they work with the county to
719
00:35:07,120 --> 00:35:09,720
split their taxes.
I would love to see that in our
720
00:35:09,720 --> 00:35:14,680
own city so that the cities and
counties are working together to
721
00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:19,800
not only prevent prevent sprawl,
the county can help grow their
722
00:35:19,800 --> 00:35:22,880
taxes and the city can take
their portion.
723
00:35:22,880 --> 00:35:25,520
And maybe that put that to
toward workforce housing,
724
00:35:25,520 --> 00:35:28,960
affordable housing, economic
development, you know, and also
725
00:35:28,960 --> 00:35:34,560
you're just growing in smaller
areas that all be walkable.
726
00:35:34,560 --> 00:35:37,200
They'll be good transit, you
know, almost like little mini
727
00:35:37,200 --> 00:35:39,920
downtowns.
What if Greenville had, you
728
00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:44,000
know, Overbrooks kind of getting
big W Green was getting big, you
729
00:35:44,000 --> 00:35:47,160
know, like the village area?
What if everywhere it was just
730
00:35:47,160 --> 00:35:50,240
as well planned?
I'm pretty envious of how you
731
00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:53,080
like have tied your passions
with your job.
732
00:35:53,120 --> 00:35:56,640
It feels like every day you're
doing exactly what you love to
733
00:35:56,640 --> 00:35:58,120
do or what you were called to
do.
734
00:35:58,480 --> 00:36:01,280
Do you think that are like, I
know that you talked about your
735
00:36:01,360 --> 00:36:03,760
your background growing up and
how that kind of played into
736
00:36:03,760 --> 00:36:06,680
some of your housing passions,
but what about just like the
737
00:36:06,760 --> 00:36:09,240
Urban Development and the
helping communities?
738
00:36:09,240 --> 00:36:11,000
Like what is it that fuels you
with all that?
739
00:36:12,480 --> 00:36:16,400
You know, I think actually that
same experience, like being in
740
00:36:16,400 --> 00:36:20,600
other people's homes and that
was my community, my church and
741
00:36:20,840 --> 00:36:25,800
like all the families and I also
played like group spores.
742
00:36:25,800 --> 00:36:28,280
I did Clemson soccer, like all
those things.
743
00:36:28,640 --> 00:36:31,760
I, I like a team aspect.
I like when I was in college, I
744
00:36:31,760 --> 00:36:34,080
was like an RA, like I, I don't,
you know what I mean?
745
00:36:34,080 --> 00:36:38,440
I like community building.
I find it to be a second family.
746
00:36:38,920 --> 00:36:44,440
And so I think planning is also
just like bringing the community
747
00:36:44,440 --> 00:36:46,960
into that process.
I think on top of it, I just
748
00:36:46,960 --> 00:36:49,440
love cool new things.
Like I have like a ridiculous
749
00:36:49,440 --> 00:36:52,240
list of like whenever a new
restaurant opens or a new shop.
750
00:36:53,000 --> 00:36:55,840
I mean, I and that's what I
loved about Greenville over the
751
00:36:55,840 --> 00:36:59,080
past so many years, but I've
also seen a lot of really good
752
00:36:59,080 --> 00:37:02,120
small businesses closed too.
So I think that's an important
753
00:37:02,120 --> 00:37:06,240
and crucial support our city.
Let's keep it vibrant, Let's
754
00:37:06,240 --> 00:37:08,800
keep it funky.
Like, I don't want us all like
755
00:37:09,120 --> 00:37:12,960
painted over brick and, you
know, like these, you know,
756
00:37:13,040 --> 00:37:15,480
murals that are just like,
printed like, let's get some
757
00:37:15,480 --> 00:37:18,360
cool, like Yum.
And.
758
00:37:18,520 --> 00:37:22,640
Yeah, yeah, like when they
painted over the Coca-Cola like
759
00:37:22,640 --> 00:37:23,480
Neural.
Yeah, I know.
760
00:37:23,520 --> 00:37:25,560
That was sad.
I mean, how many people have had
761
00:37:25,560 --> 00:37:27,640
their engagement?
In front of that, I mean
762
00:37:27,640 --> 00:37:29,320
everyone has and they put
something else there.
763
00:37:29,320 --> 00:37:31,120
I just saw it the other day.
It says.
764
00:37:31,120 --> 00:37:32,720
Green Greenbelt looks.
Like a postcard.
765
00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:35,120
I saw that, yeah.
But since you brought up the
766
00:37:35,120 --> 00:37:39,520
restaurants and we also have a
list of restaurants and anytime
767
00:37:39,520 --> 00:37:41,880
there's a new one, we go try it
right away.
768
00:37:42,560 --> 00:37:45,600
But with as busy as we are with
working podcast, my ladies club,
769
00:37:45,600 --> 00:37:46,960
all the things we haven't been
able to do it.
770
00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:49,360
So we made a mission like a week
or two ago that we're going to
771
00:37:49,360 --> 00:37:51,280
go to all the new places over
the next like month.
772
00:37:51,760 --> 00:37:54,200
And so with that being said.
So awesome.
773
00:37:54,520 --> 00:37:56,120
I'm making it quicker than he
is.
774
00:37:56,360 --> 00:37:59,160
OK so with that being said, new
restaurants, have you tried
775
00:37:59,160 --> 00:38:01,760
Demarco's?
Have you tried the Matador Abyss
776
00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:04,760
Stir any of the new ones?
Demarcos.
777
00:38:04,760 --> 00:38:06,560
How'd you like it?
Very good.
778
00:38:06,760 --> 00:38:09,640
We're going for his birthday, so
I'm glad you enjoyed it.
779
00:38:10,160 --> 00:38:12,200
Yes.
OK, well, we're going to shift
780
00:38:12,200 --> 00:38:15,360
gears just a little bit to talk
more about kind of challenges in
781
00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:17,520
your career and before we close
out.
782
00:38:18,000 --> 00:38:22,200
So whether it's government, your
campaign or personal life, you
783
00:38:22,200 --> 00:38:24,600
know, what would you say are
some of the biggest professional
784
00:38:24,600 --> 00:38:27,000
challenges that you face
throughout your career?
785
00:38:30,720 --> 00:38:38,400
It's a good one, I think.
I think, well, when you're in
786
00:38:38,400 --> 00:38:41,840
government that I think that's
particularly hard.
787
00:38:42,920 --> 00:38:44,000
I would think every day is a
challenge.
788
00:38:46,600 --> 00:38:49,400
You're, you know, you're think
about it, OK, Like, I was
789
00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:51,360
nicknamed Leslie Knope in
college, do you know what I'm
790
00:38:51,360 --> 00:38:53,120
saying?
I was vice president of my
791
00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,800
student body.
I passed ordinances as in
792
00:38:55,800 --> 00:38:56,960
student government.
I was good.
793
00:38:57,160 --> 00:39:00,280
Leadership leader.
Yes, but you go into you're the
794
00:39:00,280 --> 00:39:03,040
youngest person again.
You're a young female in an
795
00:39:03,040 --> 00:39:08,200
office and you're banging your
head against the wall because
796
00:39:08,200 --> 00:39:09,960
you're just like, I want to
innovate, I want to use
797
00:39:09,960 --> 00:39:10,920
technology.
It's hard.
798
00:39:10,920 --> 00:39:13,600
To make anything happen.
It's so slow.
799
00:39:15,000 --> 00:39:18,040
And so, and that's the huge part
this campaign is like innovating
800
00:39:18,040 --> 00:39:19,520
governments.
That's what I do in my work and
801
00:39:19,520 --> 00:39:22,840
that's what I want to bring to
council because I'm like, you
802
00:39:22,840 --> 00:39:26,080
know, business license, like why
are we printing out APDF and
803
00:39:26,080 --> 00:39:28,480
turning it in and in person at a
physical building?
804
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:32,160
I'm just like, this is 2025.
That's not going to incentivize
805
00:39:32,160 --> 00:39:34,600
any business.
And and can we incentivize, can
806
00:39:34,600 --> 00:39:37,840
we give them access to the
chamber or next Gen. or the
807
00:39:37,840 --> 00:39:43,120
Greenville economic development,
like all of those things I think
808
00:39:44,880 --> 00:39:46,920
are important.
And yeah, so government slow.
809
00:39:46,920 --> 00:39:48,080
That's definitely has been a
challenge.
810
00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:50,560
Nonprofits, you, you wear like 3
hats.
811
00:39:50,880 --> 00:39:52,680
It's the opposite problem.
Maybe.
812
00:39:53,400 --> 00:39:56,160
So I like actually really have
enjoyed the private sector and
813
00:39:56,160 --> 00:40:00,520
kind of balancing all of it.
But you have to make your voice
814
00:40:00,520 --> 00:40:02,320
known.
It doesn't matter who you are.
815
00:40:02,320 --> 00:40:06,600
Don't be afraid of it, embrace
it, and just trust yourself.
816
00:40:06,880 --> 00:40:09,200
Nice.
When you look back on your like
817
00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:11,680
background and your upbringing,
do you have any mentors that
818
00:40:11,680 --> 00:40:15,480
really helped you through that
more that are helping you today,
819
00:40:15,480 --> 00:40:17,280
maybe even.
Yes, I do.
820
00:40:17,280 --> 00:40:20,000
I do.
My first boss actually when I
821
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:25,640
moved, you know, back to the
area, my boss with Greenville
822
00:40:25,640 --> 00:40:29,400
County Redevelopment Authority.
She's still my mentor.
823
00:40:29,400 --> 00:40:32,520
She's the best.
And what's great is we've been
824
00:40:32,520 --> 00:40:36,320
actually been able to, you know,
work together even in different
825
00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:38,480
capacities.
And she just always comes out
826
00:40:38,480 --> 00:40:40,600
and supports me.
I'm a, if you're listening, I
827
00:40:40,680 --> 00:40:44,440
love you.
She's just over a huge rock.
828
00:40:44,520 --> 00:40:48,360
And actually I, when I started
my consulting business, she was
829
00:40:48,360 --> 00:40:50,440
inspired and she ended up
starting her own business.
830
00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:52,960
And so that's been just like a
wonderful.
831
00:40:53,760 --> 00:40:55,800
Circle right there, yeah.
It really is.
832
00:40:55,800 --> 00:41:00,320
It really is.
Yeah, of course My parents, they
833
00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:05,280
are like very politically
involved and active and
834
00:41:05,280 --> 00:41:09,120
actually, you know, we're
probably more opposite sides of
835
00:41:09,120 --> 00:41:13,960
the political spectrum.
But they that's why I think I
836
00:41:13,960 --> 00:41:17,200
enjoy the work I do and why I'm
good at it, is that I can see
837
00:41:17,600 --> 00:41:20,480
things from multiple
perspectives and understand it
838
00:41:20,480 --> 00:41:23,200
and.
Yeah, well.
839
00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:27,080
I personally find myself more of
an independent right.
840
00:41:27,440 --> 00:41:33,080
I feel like economically maybe
liberal, but you know, for, you
841
00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:35,920
know, for our generation, for
access to housing, for, you
842
00:41:35,920 --> 00:41:37,000
know, child care those.
Things.
843
00:41:37,560 --> 00:41:40,160
But like, I believe in small
government, I believe in fiscal
844
00:41:40,160 --> 00:41:42,600
responsibility, and I think I
get those from my parents and
845
00:41:42,600 --> 00:41:45,440
they, we debated everything at
the dinner table every night,
846
00:41:45,480 --> 00:41:47,640
really.
Yes, practice for you.
847
00:41:48,120 --> 00:41:51,720
I mean, it kind of is and I'm
really grateful for their their
848
00:41:51,720 --> 00:41:54,000
civic engagement.
I don't think everybody gets
849
00:41:54,000 --> 00:41:57,800
that in their home.
I left high school not knowing
850
00:41:57,800 --> 00:42:00,080
the difference between like a
conservative, liberal, like I
851
00:42:00,080 --> 00:42:02,280
didn't know.
And maybe that's OK, honestly,
852
00:42:02,280 --> 00:42:04,640
maybe we need to like.
Well, I just didn't know.
853
00:42:04,640 --> 00:42:05,920
I'm like, I don't know what my
parents vote for.
854
00:42:05,920 --> 00:42:06,960
I don't know what I would vote
for.
855
00:42:06,960 --> 00:42:09,400
I don't know who the issues are.
Like I was in a bubble.
856
00:42:09,400 --> 00:42:13,080
I just like, didn't didn't that?
Carry there after high school it
857
00:42:13,080 --> 00:42:15,320
went even till like more
recently I.
858
00:42:15,360 --> 00:42:18,080
Mean in college I started to
understand a little bit and then
859
00:42:18,120 --> 00:42:20,480
it was like after graduation I
was like OK you're like way more
860
00:42:20,480 --> 00:42:22,560
now I can have an opinion on
some of these things especially
861
00:42:22,560 --> 00:42:25,720
now I'm working yes that kind of
thing but yeah I was just I I
862
00:42:25,720 --> 00:42:28,280
was one of those ones that had a
very different like experience
863
00:42:28,280 --> 00:42:31,600
growing up where I just didn't
have which it was almost my
864
00:42:31,600 --> 00:42:33,800
fault because I was like so out
of the loop with everything but.
865
00:42:34,520 --> 00:42:37,880
What what advice would you give
to a young professional, maybe a
866
00:42:37,880 --> 00:42:41,840
young woman that wants to move
into politics, an industry
867
00:42:41,840 --> 00:42:46,960
that's still primarily older and
men, and I'm in an industry
868
00:42:46,960 --> 00:42:49,840
that's primarily men, which I
love working with.
869
00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:52,520
But you know, what advice would
you give to a young girl that
870
00:42:52,560 --> 00:42:54,600
wants to be in the position that
you're in now?
871
00:42:56,360 --> 00:42:59,800
Of course, I mean like anything,
do the work, right.
872
00:42:59,880 --> 00:43:04,640
You know how you show up,
putting the time in is
873
00:43:04,640 --> 00:43:10,080
important, but also just again,
not don't be afraid to be
874
00:43:10,080 --> 00:43:12,560
yourself.
You know, you might, oh, I'm
875
00:43:12,640 --> 00:43:16,880
coming off assertive or
whatever, you know, that's at
876
00:43:16,880 --> 00:43:19,880
the end of the day, you know, do
the work, do the research, know
877
00:43:19,880 --> 00:43:24,440
your craft and advocate for
yourself at every point.
878
00:43:24,800 --> 00:43:27,760
No, I'm sorry.
No, like, well, I think this.
879
00:43:27,760 --> 00:43:30,480
No, like, you know, as much as
you can.
880
00:43:30,480 --> 00:43:31,760
Yeah.
And it's hard.
881
00:43:31,760 --> 00:43:33,440
It's so hard.
I mean, I've been in places
882
00:43:33,440 --> 00:43:37,200
where I not felt supported and
didn't feel like I could do
883
00:43:37,200 --> 00:43:40,240
that.
But you got to like, trust
884
00:43:40,240 --> 00:43:41,520
yourself.
How'd you get over that hurdle?
885
00:43:45,120 --> 00:43:48,840
I think it was other women,
other or other other employees
886
00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:52,680
who were supportive and that,
you know, build your village,
887
00:43:52,680 --> 00:43:53,920
right?
Got to have that.
888
00:43:53,920 --> 00:43:56,160
My kids, my family, my friends,
they ground me.
889
00:43:56,160 --> 00:43:59,160
At the end of the day, I'm sure
y'all ground each other.
890
00:43:59,160 --> 00:44:04,200
So having that for sure.
So let's Fast forward 1015
891
00:44:04,200 --> 00:44:06,280
years.
You win City Council, maybe you
892
00:44:06,280 --> 00:44:08,240
go on to something else.
And what?
893
00:44:08,520 --> 00:44:11,320
Yeah.
What kind of legacy are you
894
00:44:11,320 --> 00:44:12,880
hoping to leave?
Oh gosh.
895
00:44:13,360 --> 00:44:15,160
And do you?
Yeah, I mean that right now
896
00:44:15,160 --> 00:44:17,280
we're focused on City Council.
Maybe you have personal
897
00:44:17,280 --> 00:44:20,720
aspirations for else but.
I don't know to be honest with
898
00:44:20,720 --> 00:44:21,360
you.
Like.
899
00:44:21,360 --> 00:44:22,800
Or how do you want people to
remember?
900
00:44:23,120 --> 00:44:27,960
OK, yeah.
I mean, yeah, I, I want to have
901
00:44:27,960 --> 00:44:32,560
set Greenville on the path to
maintain the quality of life
902
00:44:32,560 --> 00:44:35,720
that we have now and even
improve it for some people who
903
00:44:35,720 --> 00:44:37,440
are not experiencing that same
quality.
904
00:44:37,640 --> 00:44:40,560
That's what I want.
I want us to have a more
905
00:44:40,560 --> 00:44:46,040
walkable mobile city, one that
weathers high housing cost, one
906
00:44:46,040 --> 00:44:49,880
that expands our child care or
after school or summer programs,
907
00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:53,920
you know, invest in our parks,
some that have been neglected in
908
00:44:53,920 --> 00:44:56,520
some neighborhoods.
I just want it to be a place
909
00:44:56,520 --> 00:45:00,880
where everybody can thrive in it
and make sure it's accessible
910
00:45:00,880 --> 00:45:04,160
because I feel like, you know,
the way we're going, the trends,
911
00:45:04,320 --> 00:45:05,640
you know, I look at data all
day.
912
00:45:06,360 --> 00:45:09,760
Yeah, the trends scare me.
I just want to be a place that
913
00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:14,440
my kids can live and be proud of
and feel like it's some place
914
00:45:14,440 --> 00:45:15,880
for everybody.
I love that you're a dated
915
00:45:15,880 --> 00:45:18,480
person.
All day, every day.
916
00:45:18,520 --> 00:45:20,000
That's love that I can.
Relate to that.
917
00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:21,120
That's awesome.
Yeah.
918
00:45:21,520 --> 00:45:23,400
Well, cool.
Well, we'll wrap it up here, but
919
00:45:23,400 --> 00:45:25,840
I do want to ask if anyone's
listening and wants to get
920
00:45:25,840 --> 00:45:28,120
involved with your campaign or
wants to get involved with
921
00:45:28,120 --> 00:45:30,400
Catalyst, how can they, how can
they find you and how can they
922
00:45:30,400 --> 00:45:35,280
get they get?
Involvedsocatalyst-cc.org is a
923
00:45:35,280 --> 00:45:39,000
website and actually I'll be
hiring for an intern soon.
924
00:45:39,640 --> 00:45:44,680
So please check it out.
And if you like urban planning,
925
00:45:44,680 --> 00:45:50,520
GIS, any focus in nonprofit or
development, and then from a
926
00:45:50,520 --> 00:45:52,800
campaign, it's just Tina
bellagy.com.
927
00:45:52,920 --> 00:45:57,520
So pretty good.
See, you can look at all the
928
00:45:57,520 --> 00:46:01,280
priorities for the campaign in
depth solutions, but also time
929
00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:03,200
to volunteer in all of our
events.
930
00:46:03,520 --> 00:46:04,920
Well, cool.
Well, Tina, best of luck.
931
00:46:05,120 --> 00:46:06,040
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
932
00:46:06,760 --> 00:46:08,200
Tina, I appreciate you being
here.