S.C. community hoping to feel the 'Greencastle Effect'

Monday, August 31, 2009

GREENCASTLE -- Spartanburg, S.C. leaders are looking to Greencastle as a model sustainable community.

Seeking to shape local sustainability initiatives, Mayor Bill Barnet and a recently formed group of interested citizens invited Greencastle Mayor Sue Murray and Sustainability Commission Chair Steve Setchell to Spartanburg for a series of conversations. Murray and Setchell visited the South Carolina city of nearly 40,000 residents recently.

Coining a new phrase, Mayor Barnet said, "The Greencastle Effect is a model for broad citizen engagement in creating sustainable communities." Barnet referred to the more than 100 local citizens who helped create "The Sustainable Greencastle Report: Environmental Solutions to Strengthen Our Community, Economy, Culture, and Quality of Life" (available on the City of Greencastle home page: www.cityofgreencastle.com).

A number of the citizen-led reports recommendations are now being pursued in Greencastle, including:

Greencastle Downtown Farmers' Market

* Expanding the Downtown Farmers' Market

* Distributing local food for neighbors in need

* Appointing a sustainability commission

* Creating an energy conservation challenge

* Planting a community garden

* Strengthening community supported agriculture (CSA) programs

* Gathering a local food producer directory

* Promoting a "Buy Local" campaign

* Building awareness for continuing existing and building new recycling and waste disposal programs

"I appreciate Mayor Bill Barnet and other Spartanburg leaders' recognition of Greencastle's community-wide sustainability effort," said Mayor Murray. "I also want to thank our many citizens who continue to provide leadership and other contributions to these meaningful outcomes for our quality of life."

Out of appreciation for Murray and Setchell's visit, the Spartanburg sustainability group will make a contribution to Greencastle's community garden project north of Franklin Street and adjacent to the A-Way Home Shelter.

Located in South Carolina's Upstate region, Spartanburg is home to six higher education institutions, a major BMW manufacturing facility, and the world headquarters of Extended Stay Hotels, Advance America, QS/1 Data Systems, Milliken & Company, and Denny's. It is also the county seat to 275,000 residents of Spartanburg County.

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"Located in South Carolina's Upstate region, Spartanburg is home to six higher education institutions, a major BMW manufacturing facility, and the world headquarters of Extended Stay Hotels, Advance America, QS/1 Data Systems, Milliken & Company, and Denny's. It is also the county seat to 275,000 residents of Spartanburg County"

It looks like we need advice from them on how to bring JOBS to our community.

-- Posted by LangdonUlger on Mon, Aug 31, 2009, at 7:33 AM
i have went to the g'castle farmers market the past 2 weeks. I feel prices are much to high. I understand this is a business and it cost money but I remember the park farmer market , there were a few major farms but it was usually the little people, back yard farmers and prices were better. I understand the prices on everything are going up. But isn't this also to help our fellow towns man/women?

-- Posted by Sand mann on Mon, Aug 31, 2009, at 10:03 AM
In response to the comment about prices being too high...

If you think that is true, don't buy anything from the market. Their prices would quickly drop if everyone shared your opinion and decided something about it.

My guess is that most people believe it is worth a little extra to get home grown, fresh food. It's impossible for a small farmer to compete with Wal-Mart's or Aldi's prices. Keep in mind you are paying for the added value of fresh home grown vegetables.

-- Posted by chaas013 on Tue, Sep 1, 2009, at 9:18 AM
chaas013,

i didn't buy and alot of farmers packed up their items. So i guess i was not the only one whom thought that way. i understand it's home grown , but stands are everywhere this time of the year. !

no biggie for me

-- Posted by Sand mann on Tue, Sep 1, 2009, at 5:33 PM

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