I joined dozens of Greenville’s top business, civic, arts, and education leaders on an Intercommunity Leadership Visit — a biennial multiday deep dive designed to spark ideas, build connections, and inspire the future of our city. Destination: Boise, ID.
Why Boise?
The “City of Trees” has become one of the nation’s fastest-rising mid-sized metros, consistently landing on lists of America’s best places to live and work — sound familiar? Like Greenville, Boise has built a thriving, walkable downtown, cultivated community pride, and is now navigating the challenges that come with success: housing affordability, childcare, and infrastructure. Keep scrolling for some of the highlights day-by-day.
What leaders learned
Mayor Knox White, City of Greenville
Growth doesn’t have to mean losing our character.
“It’s a bigger city than Greenville. The buildings are bigger, the population is bigger, and yet it’s a very walkable downtown... I think it can give us some additional confidence that, as we grow, we can still manage our growth. We can still make Greenville a quality place to live.”
Dr. Larry Miller, President of Greenville Technical College
Corporate partnerships can transform the quality of life for residents.
“When we visited The Fieldhouse from the Albertson Foundation, that was just amazing. I’d love to see our city cultivate those kinds of partnerships in the future for our residents.”
Heath Dillard, President + CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC
The community integrates art and the urban setting with nature in a way we need to continue to bridge.
“There were some really interesting art installations that add to non-typical areas of downtown that are a surprise and delight. You wouldn’t expect murals along alleys on the back of restaurants. They have wide sidewalks, and the scenery is really beautiful.”
Danielle’s top moments
Day 1
“I want it to feel like we’re shoving 10 pounds of potatoes into a five-pound bag.”
That’s how Greenville Chamber CEO Carlos Phillips described just how much we’re going to accomplish over the next three days of our Intercommunity Leadership Visit.
In case you missed it, this week, I’m reporting live — well, as live as a daily newsletter can be — from Boise, ID. I’ve tagged along with 80 Greenville leaders across sectors to spark ideas, build connections, and inspire the future of our city.
Greenville Chamber Board Chair Traci Newkirk asked us to:
- Slow down
- Notice
- Be curious
As I’m typing this, I’m preparing for a sunrise hike to kick off our first full day of programming. I’m excited to take you along with me.
Day 2
Art is everywhere in Boise, ID. From love letters to the city painted in utility boxes to a giant pink tree — which is the perfect spot to swing — it was clear just how much this city values spaces for its residents to enjoy art in public places, much like Greenville.
Have your camera ready at every corner in Boise, because there’s always something worth capturing. | Photos by GVLtoday
There was one spot in particular that I would love to see us take inspiration from in Greenville: Freak Alley. Founded in 2002, the alley is block-long showcase of art. It’s tucked off a central pedestrian area of Boise, and each summer, a large painting event allows artists and community members to transform the ever-changing gallery.
Day 3
The Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s amphitheater is unlike any other theater experience. Nestled in the foothills along the Boise River, it blends performance and nature. Instead of velvet curtains and climate-controlled halls, audiences gather under the open sky.
We took a tour of the space on our Intercommunity Leadership Visit. If you missed it, I’m tagging along with ~80 Greenville leaders as they connect and collaborate in Boise, ID.
The design, inspired by The Globe Theatre, is circular and seats 770 patrons. There isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Where would you want to see something like this in Greenville? Should we have a bigger venue for outdoor performances in Falls Park? Reply in the comments of this article and let me know what you think.
Day 4
I spent my final day in Boise riding a bike along the Greenbelt and exploring the city, which reminded me a lot of the Swamp Rabbit Trail, as it’s right along the Boise River.
One thing I noticed was how clean the water is. In fact, people river surf there. It’s hard to imagine people fully swimming in the Reedy River, but maybe someday?
