Community Capital Alliance focusing on Rock Hill economic development

CN2 News

ROCK HILL, S.C. (CN2 NEWS) – The South Carolina Community Capital Alliance is spending its second day in Rock Hill.

More than 200 guest are attending the organization’s conference happening at the Rock Hill Sports and event center.

The alliance works to increase capital resources for South Carolina’s most under served and under-capitalized communities.

At the event several speakers highlighted topics in impact investing, community financing tools, and other tactics to support community economic development across the state.

The conference also focusing on Rock Hill development, using the downtown area, Knowledge Park and the City’s South-Side Revitalization to show how a town can create a new vision.

“Part of what we do with this conference is we come to projects like this.” said Alliance Board Member, Deborah McKetty. “We get to see the before and the after and then we really get to talk to the developers. Who were the visionaries behind this project? How were the nuts and bolts put together? Where did the financing come from? How did the community’s vision turn into an actual project that’s serving the community in the way that it is? So that’s kind of the whole purpose of this, to really understand how these projects happen.”

South Carolina Community Capital Alliance Honors Ashely Teasdel & Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation with 2023 Community Champion Awards

CRBJ BizWire

Deputy Secretary Teasdel

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The South Carolina Community Capital Alliance (the “Alliance”) is proud to announce that Ashely Teasdel, Deputy Secretary of Commerce of the South Carolina Department of Commerce (S.C. Commerce), and the Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation (RHEDC) are the recipients of the 2023 Community Champion Awards. The award is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual or organization by the Alliance and is presented annually to a local leader and organization that has made significant contributions to community economic development.

Since its launch in 2011, the Alliance has been dedicated to increasing capital resources for South Carolina’s underserved and undercapitalized communities and providing job creation opportunities that make a difference in people’s lives. Deputy Secretary Teasdel has been an integral part of this effort since the organization’s inception, working to create and sustain partnerships to bring resources to improve the economic well-being of South Carolina’s citizens. The Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation is being recognized for their years of commitment to advancing economic growth in the Rock Hill area including the Knowledge Park redevelopment strategy, promoting mixed-use redevelopment of the urban core of Rock Hill connecting historic downtown and Winthrop University.

Prior to being promoted to Deputy Secretary of Commerce in 2021, Teasdel served as Director of the S.C. Commerce’s Business Services Division. During her tenure as Director of Business Services, she successfully merged the functions of the division through deliberate efforts to integrate the division’s purpose of what S.C. Commerce has dubbed as “Service After the Sale.” Teasdel was instrumental in the launch of support resources for start-ups and existing companies; accelerated the use of B2B platforms for specific industries; managed an initiative to build minority business engagement that included supplier outreach experiences; and developed ally outreach for effective coordination of small business support for more sourcing needs. Teasdel is an active board member of the SC Economic Developers Association (SCEDA) and the Business Development Corporation (CDC) of SC.

Rock Hill Economic Development Corporation is committed to representing the business, educational, and community interests of the city while promoting jobs and supporting growth in Rock Hill. By fostering increased employment opportunities and partnering on redevelopment projects, RHEDC improves the quality of life for Rock Hill residents. In recent years, RHEDC has played a key role in facilitating the redevelopment of the urban core through the Knowledge Park Action Plan, leading to $400 million of investment in downtown Rock Hill, and is a partner in the Clinton ConNEXTion strategic plan for attracting jobs, businesses, and housing to the historic neighborhoods in South Rock Hill. Through RHEDC’s Talent Pipeline program, educational institutions and local businesses build supportive relationships with students through employment, internship, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Conservation voters group announces three additions to board of directors

Ken Harvin (Left), Ann Warner (Middle) and Michael Brown (Right) are the newest member of the Conservation voter group. (FILE/PHOTO)

WACH Fox 57

SOUTH CAROLINA (WACH) — The Conservation Voters of South Carolina Education Fund (CVSCEF) announced that three members will be joining their board of directors.

Michael Brown of the Sustaining Way, Ken Harvin of the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED) and Ann Warner of the Women's Rights and Empowerment Network (WREN)will be joining the board, according to a statement from the group on Tuesday.

Brown, the Executive Director of Sustaining Way, served 12 years to his community as the District One Representative for Spartanburg County Council, first African American Vice-Chair and chaired the Public Safety and Judiciary Committee, and was a member of the Economic Development Committee establishing 20,000 jobs delivering more than $8 billion of development. He has a bachelor's in political science from Alabama A&M University, a master's of public administration from the Ohio State University, and a J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law.

Harvin, Rural Program Director at SCACED, spent 20 years as a community development practitioner in communities of color, addressing issues of social inequality using community-building and organizing principles. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps, later gaining a master's degree in nonprofit management with a specialization in community development finance from the New School Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy, according to an official statement.

Warner, CEO of WREN, leads strategic visioning and planning for the organization. According to a statement, she has more than 20 years of experience advocating for the rights of women and girls around the world. She was a joint master of international affairs and master of public health from Columbia University and a bachelor's of arts in English from Wellesley College. As well as a graduate from the Riley Institute's Diversity Leaders Initiative.

“Ann, Ken, and Michael are all leaders at organizations that partner closely with CVSCEF in our work to protect our environment in an equitable way,” said John Tynan, CVSCEF Executive Director in a statement. “Their individual and community-based expertise will ensure that the policies and programs that CVSCEF advances will reflect input from both partners and communities, continuing to help us build a strong, effective, and equitable conservation movement in South Carolina.”

Officials say CVSCEF is dedicated to maximizing the participation of conservation-minded citizens in public policy decisions at the state and local levels regarding South Carolina’s environment and natural resources.

Statewide Community Economic Development Association Honors South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus with SCACED 2022 Legislator of the Year Award

Soda City BizWire

COLUMBIA, S.C. —After years of milestone successes and achievements in the South Carolina General Assembly, and for championing numerous community development initiatives, the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus (SCLBC) received the 2022 Legislator of the Year Award from the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED) at the association’s 2023 Legislative Luncheon on Wednesday.

SCACED’s annual Legislator of the Year Award recognizes legislators who support the community economic development industry. In 2022, SCLBC played a key role in supporting the appropriation of $2 million for the Community Economic Development Fund which provides grants to certified community development organizations. The community economic development grants support workforce and attainable housing development and preservation, small business funding and technical assistance, workforce training, and other community development initiatives.

“On behalf of the members of the South Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, I thank SCACED for bestowing us this honor on the 50th anniversary of the caucus’ formation,” said SCLBC Chairman Representative Ivory Torrey Thigpen. “We reaffirm our support and commitment to the work SCACED does in our communities. We too envision a South Carolina where each person has the opportunity to build, grow, and own their future.”

SCACED President & CEO, Bernie Mazyck, appointed Chair of Federal Reserve of Richmond's Charlotte Board of Directors

CRBJ BizWire

CHARLESTON, S.C. —The Board of Directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (“Richmond Fed”) appointed Bernie Mazyck, President & CEO of the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED), as Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond’s Charlotte Board on December 8, 2022.

Mazyck has served on the Federal Reserve of Richmond’s Charlotte Board since 2019 and is currently on his second three-year term. He’ll serve as Chair of the Charlotte Board for a one-year term through the end of 2023. Mazyck also previously served on the Federal Reserve of Richmond’s Community Development Advisory Council.

Part of the nation’s central bank, The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is one of 12 regional Reserve Banks working together with the Board of Governors to support a healthy economy and deliver on their mission to foster economic stability and strength. The Richmond Fed connects with community and business leaders across the Fifth Federal Reserve District — including the Carolinas, District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, and most of West Virginia — to monitor economic conditions, address issues facing our communities, and share this information with monetary and financial policymakers.

Reestablish statewide Individual Development Account program

Greenwood Index-Journal
By Kristi King-Brock
SCACED Board Chair & Executive Director of Anderson Interfaith Ministries,

Once one of the most popular and impactful programs offered through nonprofits and community development groups across the state, the statewide Individual Development Account (IDA) program was offered for 20-plus years before its funding was exhausted in 2020. Since then, South Carolina families and individuals have persevered through a global pandemic and are currently facing historic economic and financial pressures. Now that the state legislature will be convening this fall to decide how to allocate state fiscal recovery funds received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), an opportunity presents itself for the legislature to provide much needed boost and strengthen the financial stability of South Carolina’s citizens and families through reestablishing a statewide IDA Program.

The South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED), an organization which I’m proud to serve as board chair, earlier this year proposed their American Rescue Plan Economic Equity Agenda, including a recommendation of $10 million be allocated to fund a statewide IDA Program through the state Department of Social Services of state Department of Commerce.

The IDA Program is a 3:1 matched savings account program that allows individuals to use their savings and match money toward any of three productive assets: a home, a small business, or post-secondary education. Participants are required to save their funds and participate in financial literacy education and asset-based trainings before having access to their match funds.

Ribbon Cutting Set for The Opportunity Center: A New Collaborative Workspace including Business Incubator & Training Facility

NORTH CHARLESTON — Four nonprofits are now housed under the same roof, but the groups are doing more than simply sharing real estate.

The organizations at the recently opened Opportunity Center also share a similar vision: Make the space a one-stop shop for economic services that can lead to generational wealth for underserved entrepreneurs.

That vision can be accomplished as the four organizations — South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development, the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation, Increasing H.O.P.E and Homes of Hope Inc. — pool their resources and work together, said Bernie Mazyck, CEO of SCACED.

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ABC News 4
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — After breaking ground over a year and a half ago, a center aimed at helping Lowcountry residents with their finances finally had its grand opening on Thursday.

The Opportunity Center is one of the first facilities of its kind and will give a chance for financial development by creating what officials call an “entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

Click here to read full article.

CRBJ BizWire
North Charleston, SC – Monday, March 21, 2022: A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony including an open house, food, and tours of the building will take place on Thursday, March 31st at 11:00 a.m. at The Opportunity Center! The new facility is located at 8570 Rivers Avenue in North Charleston. Officials from the involved charitable organizations as well as other dignitaries will be on hand to answer questions and help demonstrate the impact the facility will have on the region.

Click here to read full article.

Charleston City Paper
Officials with North Charleston’s new facility, The Opportunity Center, cut the ribbon on the building Thursday morning during an open house that offered food and tours of the building to guests.

The Opportunity Center, a new concept for a nonprofit-led economic development hub, was built in 2019 out of a former 31,250-square-foot furniture store off Rivers Avenue. 

Click here to read full article.

SCACED & SCORH Announce 2022 Community Garden Grant Awardees

[Charleston, SC] March 2, 2022 – South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development (SCACED), in partnership with South Carolina Office of Rural Health (SCORH), announced today twenty-one (21) awardees of the 2022 Community Garden Grants.

The grant awards were offered through South Carolina’s Health Equity Initiative, part of a national project the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) supported by funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act.

This year’s awardees span across the state and a variety of industries, ranging from churches, nonprofit community organizations, schools, municipalities, and farms. This year’s awardees, listed alphabetically, include:

• Bell Von Dur Harv

• Blackville Community Development Corporation

• Carolina Human Reinvestment

• Chesterfield-Marlboro Economic Opportunity Council

• DOW Farm

• Ebenezer AME Church

• City of Florence

• Greater Lake City Community Resource Center

• Human Foundation

• Lynwood Family Farm

• Mount Zion Baptist Church

• Palmetto Works Community Development Corporation

• Rambling Rosa Farm

• Seasoned Seafood/Benefit Corporation

• Sumter County Master Gardener Association

• Synergy Garden at Presbyterian Fellowship

• Veggie Cupboard Community Garden & Greenhouse

• Victory Gardens International

• Waccamaw Economic Opportunity Council

• WhistleBritches Farm & Garden

• Winthrop University

The objective of this year’s grant program was to make available twenty (20) single grant awards in the amount of $3,000 each for the establishment and expansion of community gardens in low-income, rural communities. The Community Garden grants offer training paired with funding to support minority and veteran producers in furthering the production of fruits and vegetables as an important source of fresh food and nutrition to communities lacking access to locally grown produce.

About SCACED (www.scaced.org)

SCACED is a coalition of over 150 individuals and organizations who support the development of healthy and economically sustainable communities throughout South Carolina. For over 25 years, SCACED and its members have worked collaboratively to build wealth and create economic opportunity for all SC residents including a focus on minority communities and other groups who have been left out of the economic mainstream. 

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