January 14, 2021, Vol. 11, Issue 1
TEN COUNTIES | ONE UPSTATE | STRONGER TOGETHER
FOCUS ON THE FUTURE - UNDERSTANDING THE "NEW NORMAL"

Written By: Focus on the Future Panelists

Many say that we are headed for a “new normal”. Do you think your business/organization/community has been changed forever or do you think things will eventually settle back to a similar style as existed pre-pandemic? Why?

“Never let a good crisis go to waste”...Winston Churchill. I can say the way healthcare has shifted from this crisis has formed the “new normal”. We have had to rely heavily upon more efficient ways of conducting business, with fewer resources.  Both have been points of discussion for years. We were forced to implement more options around telehealth and we now see that expanding into many different subspecialties. Additionally, the interfacility collaboration has proven hospitals are more capable of sharing resources, raising levels of care in the community hospitals and fully utilizing the assets available. This will result in more use of community hospitals and decompressing the larger tertiary facilities. – Justin Benfield

I have hope, especially with the latest news, that a vaccine will be successful and then distributed successfully. So, I have hope that life will return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. – Neal Collins

I am certain my business has been changed forever. The pandemic has really provided a reason to fast forward my industry’s use of technology. There has been dramatic innovation and adoption as it relates to a real estate tour, basic communication, and ability to collaborate with partners anywhere, anytime. – David Feild

ACRE GRANTS AWARDED TO ENTREPRENEUR AGRIBUSINESS IN THE UPSTATE

Written By: Kyle Player, Executive Director of Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE)

Kyle Player, Executive Director of Agribusiness Center for Research and Entrepreneurship (ACRE) talks about the ACRE curriculum and funding and introduces grant recipients Lover Farms in Pickens County and The RobinHood Group’s Farmers Market Flavors Ice Cream Company in Union County.

ACRE was established in 2017 with a goal to promote agribusiness in South Carolina, particularly innovative, out-of-the-box thinkers. ACRE helps small-business owners stay in business longer, reach more people, find new markets, and supplies grant funding. The main goal of ACRE is to support entrepreneurs in realizing their dream of having an agribusiness in South Carolina.

ACRE provides two programs to support entrepreneurship. The first is the Curriculum program, taught by the Clemson Agribusiness Extension Team. Businesses learn how to prepare a business plan and a business pitch. Upon successful completion of the program, a panel of judges selects multiple businesses to receive up to $5,000 each.

JANUARY 14th | 6:30 to 7:30 PM
Virtual Event

JANUARY 15th | 12:00 to 1:00 PM
Virtual Event

JANUARY 15th | 9:00 AM
Virtual Event
JANUARY 21st | 3:00 to 4:00 PM

GUEST SPEAKER | Dr. Jonathan Knoche, Medical Consultant, Divisions of Immunization and Acute Disease Epidemiology, SCDHEC

TATT board members and partners, business and community leaders, and county representatives are gathering virtually twice each month for local updates that help us stay connected even when we can't meet in person.
GIVE HELP

RED CROSS OF THE UPSTATE
Fully Recovered from COVID-19?
(GREENVILLE COUNTY)

GREENWOOD PATHWAY HOUSE
Help Fight Homelessness
(GREENWOOD COUNTY)

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY - OCONEE
Donate Items to the Resale Store
(OCONEE COUNTY)
Ten at the Top has created a web repository of links to key information on COVID-19. With schools, organizations, businesses and many others canceling events and altering schedules due to the COVID-19 virus, having access to reliable and timely information as well as details about available resources is critical. 
A lot of people are facing food insecurity, perhaps for the first time, during the COVID-19 crisis. Our Upstate Food Access Map lists food resources across the Upstate.
The Upstate has plenty of natural resources for you to explore and still maintain your distance—you can find them on our Outdoor Activity and Recreation Interactive Map.