10.10.2024

Today’s Forecast

73º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:32 a.m. | Sunset 7:00 p.m.

A Message From Our Team

Please join us in supporting recovery efforts for our neighbors in Western NC. Our hearts are heavy for our friends, family, and team members affected by the destruction of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath. 100% of donations will be sent to BeLoved Asheville, supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region. Donate now.

Understanding the proposed penny tax

Understanding Greenville County’s proposed penny tax that will be on your ballot

The penny tax funds would help fix local roads. | Photo by Jay King for the Greenville Journal

We recently shared our election guide with you to help prepare for your trip to the polls next month. As you research candidates and questions on your ballot, we wanted to dive deeper on the penny tax referendum you’ll see on your ballot in Greenville County.

What is a penny tax?

A penny tax is a 1% sales tax on retail purchases in the county excluding items like gas + groceries and — if approved — it would be in effect from May 1, 2025 to April 30, 2033.

It’s the first time in 10 years Greenville County has a penny sales tax referendum on the ballot, and when you see it — it’s long (like ~800 words long).

Don’t we already have that?

Actually, no. Greenville is one of only a few counties (three, to be exact) in the state that has never had a penny tax. Right now, we just pay the 6% state sales tax. The last time Greenville County tried to enact a penny tax in 2014, voters did not approve it.

How much will it raise?

If the 1% sales tax is approved, it is estimated to generate $1,046,832,000 over the next eight years. Here’s how that money would be spent:

$473,919,000 for 1,445 road improvement, repaving + reconstruction projects
$216,100,000 for 51 intersection improvement projects
$313,200,000 for 31 roadway safety + congestion relief projects
$43,613,000 for 37 bridge + road-related drainage projects

Why is it so wordy?

The reason the referendum is ~800 words is because it lists priority projects within each of these categories. You can look up your sample ballot to see the full list. Reminder: The voter registration deadline was extended to Monday, Oct. 14 — so there’s still time to register to vote.

Asked

Do you understand the penny tax?

A. Yes, this was helpful.
B. No, I still have more questions.

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Events

Thursday, Oct. 10

Be well. Be human. with lululemon | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 5:30 p.m. | Camperdown Plaza | Free | Marcus Brown, Olivia Daniels Jones, and Adekunle Olusanya will lead you through play, connection, and movement for World Mental Health Day.
Radio Room Presents: Mike Farris | Thursday, Oct. 10 | 7-11 p.m. | Swanson’s Warehouse | $20+ | Enjoy live music from this singer rooted in early-American gospel and blues.

Friday, Oct. 11

Haunted Car Wash | Friday, Oct. 11 | 6-10 p.m. | 2788 South Carolina 14, Greer | $30 | Get your car cleaned while being entertained by ghosts, ghouls, and other creepy surprises.
Piano Bar Party | Friday, Oct. 11 | Jack n’ Diane’s Dueling Pianos | Free entry | Request your favorite songs, sing your heart out, and enjoy a night out at this dueling piano bar.

Saturday, Oct. 12

TD Saturday Market | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 8 a.m.-12 p.m. | Main Street | Free entry | Take a walk downtown and shop 75+ local vendors.
Greer Ghost Tours: Graveyard Tour | Saturday, Oct. 12 | 7-8 p.m. | Greer City Cemetery | $8+ | This family-friendly ghost tour features fun and phantoms.

Sunday, Oct. 13

Second Annual Piedmont Pickle Festival | Sunday, Oct. 13 | 2-8 p.m. | Carolina Bauernhaus Greenville | $15+ | Indulge in all things pickle at this annual festival.

Calendar of events here

Click here to have your event featured.

Development

Coming soon to County Square

We have new drawings of what’s to come. | Rendering by RocaPoint Partners

Developers unveiled more new tenants coming soon to the $1 billion County Square redevelopment in Downtown Greenville:

Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails

Making its East Coast debut, this restaurant is “centered around the idea of classic home-cooked meals” with 150 menu options, including all-day breakfast favorites.
Sip on a drink from the bar or grab a seat in the dining room to indulge in Italian street food like truffle chips + signature Italian dishes like lobster and shrimp pasta, beef carpaccio, lasagna, chicken parmesan, bolognese, and wood-fired pizza.

CRÚ Food & Wine Bar

At it’s first SC location, this restaurants promises to be “an accessible and enjoyable way to experience wine tasting.” Boasting 40+ wines by the glass and 300+ bottles from around the world, you can sip as you enjoy a Napa-inspired menu with charcuterie boards, stone-fired pizzas, and other appetizers and entrees.

MOA Korean BBQ

Joining its locations in Charlotte and Columbia, this Korean barbecue spot will have 30-40 grill tables for cooking meats and vegetables tableside.

10+ more future tenants

News Notes

Edu

The Greenville County School District says it will ask state lawmakers to forgive the eight days of school lost during and after Helene. The district notes its school days are 30 minutes longer than the state requires, which could support their argument. (The Post and Courier Greenville)

Civic

Governor Henry McMaster declared Friday, Oct. 11 “Team South Carolina Day” in Greenville County. State agencies + organizations will be at Greenville Technical College’s Student Success Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a one-stop opportunity to learn about relief resources.

Plan Ahead

euphoria will host “Hope for Hospitality,” a brunch event on Sunday, Oct. 20 at Larkin’s Sawmill. Enjoy brunch-inspired bites from local chefs as you bid on silent auction items and listen to live music. Proceeds support hospitality workers in crisis through the Southern Smoke Foundation.

Cause

The Peace Center is collecting non-perishable food items to restock local food pantries. If you are attending an upcoming show, you can bring donations with you, or you can drop them off weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Kids

Speaking of collections, The Upcountry History Museum is collecting children’s books, coloring books, journals, packs of crayons, markers, and colored pencils for kids in Western NC until Sunday, Nov. 17.

Seasonal

Calling all bakers. The Holiday Gingerbread Exhibit at the Residence Inn/SpringHill Suites is looking for 50 amateur and 50 professional bakers for its third annual competition. Applications are due Monday, Oct. 28.

Outdoors

Another Round Greenville is extending its par two disc golf residency at New Realm Brewing on Wednesdays. It’s $5 to play with a 100% cash payout to the winner + 10% off food and drinks for participants.

Biz

Chances are, our average reader hasn’t heard about many of the young companies in Greenville’s booming start up ecosystem. We’re looking to change that with our new series Founderville. Submit a start up for us to feature.

Biz

Calling all remote working professionals. Looking for a community that sparks creativity, inspires collaboration, and drives personal + professional success? Enter: Endeavor. Their bright, spacious coworking spaces in the heart of downtown are perfect for boosting productivity and growing your network. Become a member.*

Seasonal

Ready for a night of fright? Madworld Haunted Attraction is open through Saturday, Nov. 2, bringing chills + thrills for the whole family. Think: Moonlit mini golf, haunted axe throwing, creepy carnival games, ghoulish food, and no-scare medallions for the faint of heart. Book your haunt.*

Number

🍳 Greenville brunched for a cause

Table 301’s Brunch for a Cause is back

June | Brunchin’ is a habit, so it wasn’t surprising to see our Brunch City Guide in the top spot to kick off summer 2024.
Photo by GVLtoday

$60,000. That’s how much Table 301’s Brunch for a Cause raised on Saturday, Oct. 5 by donating 100% of their sales during brunch and lunch service to support Helene relief.

The money was split between the American Red Cross + The World Central Kitchen with 1,892 guests dining across seven downtown restaurants. Plus, 165 staff members made it all possible.

Brunch for a Cause started at Soby’s in 2004 in response to the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. Since then, it has raised $220,000+ for relief efforts following natural disasters.

The Buy

Suede Chelsea boots — they’re the perfect fall/winter staple for your closet that offers you comfortable wear with ankle support and a slim silhouette.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Danielle

From the editor

This morning, I’m thinking of our teams at TBAYtoday + LALtoday who are currently covering the historic Hurricane Milton. You can click on those links to follow their Instagrams for live coverage.

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