I hopped off the plane at BOI... | Photo by the City of Boise
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
Carlos Phillips delivered remarks at our opening reception. | Photo by GVLtoday
“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.
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
Have your camera ready at every corner in Boise, because there’s always something worth capturing. | Photos by GVLtoday
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
Freak Alley is the second most-visited spot in Idaho, behind “THE BLUE” aka Boise State’s blue turf. | Photo 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
With a natural landscape like that, there’s no backdrop needed. | Photo by the Greenville Chamber
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?
Asked
Asked
Boise ranked No. 2 on US News and World Report’s list of “Best Places to Live” in 2024. Where did Greenville fall on the same list?
“A Chorus Line” | Friday, Sept. 12-Sunday, Sept. 28 | Times vary | Greenville Theatre | $45 | This iconic, Tony-winning musical returns with raw stories of passion, sacrifice, and the pursuit of Broadway dreams.*
Conestee Nature Preserve’s Hops and Herons Beer Festival | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Conestee Nature Preserve | Celebrate the 5th annual Hops & Herons with 25+ local brews, live music from The Brooks Dixon Band, food trucks, and fun outdoor activities for all ages.*
Thursday, Oct. 16
Mill Village Farms Culinary Concert | 6:30-9 p.m. | Hotel Hartness | $175 | Enjoy an evening of artisanal liqueurs, 5+ wine-paired tastings, live music, and a live auction to support local youth and urban gardening efforts.*
Think you’re on the right track for retirement? It often pays to have a professional double-check your plan.
Capital City Financial Partners is offering two complimentary sessions to help you see exactly where you stand and how to improve your strategy. Here’s what you’ll get:
A one-on-one meeting for an in-depth review
A personalized retirement “report card”
Two clear strategies tailored to your unique goals
Cork & Cleaver Steakhouse is moving into the former Urban Wren space at Markley Station in the West End. The 6,200-sqft restaurant will be the first Greenville location for Columbia-based Happy Fork Hospitality Group. No opening date has been announced. (Upstate Business Journal)
Civic
The City of Greenville will spend $1.17 million on 0.69 acres, adding to its six-acre Haynie-Sirrine property. Leaders want to use the land for affordable housing and open space near County Square. Officials plan to hire a land planner this fall to shape the vision alongside residents. (The Post and Courier Greenville)
Number
4,500. That’s how many more child care spots Greenville County needs, according to Greenville First Steps. At a needs assessment meeting on Sept. 5, leaders cited workforce shortages, low wages, and affordability as major barriers. With average weekly costs topping $240 for infants, the nonprofit says solutions will require businesses and community partners. (Greenville Journal)
Health
Bon Secours St. Francis signed a three-year partnership with PKL Park. Sports medicine and orthopedic teams will provide on-site coverage at pickleball tournaments and leagues, aiming to prevent and treat the sport’s common injuries while connecting players with Bon Secours’ broader wellness services. (Greenville Journal)
Outdoors
The Joro spiders are back. Starting this month, the invasive yellow arachnids — with striped abdomens and gold-tinged webs — will appear across the Upstate. They rarely bite, but their massive webs near homes and porches make them hard to miss — here’s what they look like. Experts say: squish ’em.(The Post and Courier Greenville)
Cause
Habitat Greenville’s Dinner on Ice returns Oct. 21 at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Guests dine on the arena floor served by Swamp Rabbits players, with auctions and music. This year also marks the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary of building affordable homes. (Greenville Journal)
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Category
Community
A phone for words left unspoken
This is the first Wind Phone in the Upstate, but you can explore them all over the world. | Photos by Conestee Nature Preserve
Tucked away in Conestee Nature Preserve, a simple rotary phone waits in the Rock Garden. It isn’t connected to anything, yet it carries the weight of countless conversations.
Known as a Wind Phone, the unconnected telephone offers a quiet, reflective space for visitors to share unspoken words with loved ones who have died, are missing, or otherwise out of reach. Adriana Brooks created the Wind Phone in honor of her daughter, Adele, describing Conestee as a place of healing.
“I’ve had a few losses over the last few years, and my grief process always includes time at Conestee,” she said. “I came across the Wind Phone idea and thought about just how beautiful of an addition it would be to an already healing place.”
You can find the Wind Phone a short walk from entrance D off Fork Shoals Road.
“I hope it’s a place for others to find comfort and hope.”
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Have you been to Boise? I will have some free time to explore on Friday before my flight home. I have some recommendations from SEAtoday, but I’d love to hear from you. Reply to this email and let me know what I can’t miss.
‡ Investment Advisory Services offered through Integrated Advisors Network (“Integrated”), an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Certain Representatives of Capital City Financial Partners are also registered with and offer securities through, APW Capital, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC, 100 Enterprise Drive, Suite 504, Rockaway, NJ 07866, (800) 637-3211. Capital City Financial Partners is neither affiliated with nor under common control of APW Capital. Capital City Financial Partners is affiliated with, but not under common control of, Integrated Advisors Network. Disclosures ADV |Privacy Policy |Form CRS
