Project Update: 4/23/2007
The Genesis Team is in the process of completing numerous fundamental tasks as it begins the planning process for the Savannah River Basin Textile Recovery Plan and Redevelopment Plan for Graniteville.
Genesis Consulting Group, with the assistance of the Economic Development Partnership, is finalizing the membership of the Projects overall Steering Committee, and Stakeholder Groups for the Applachian Region (Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties); the Upper Savannah Region (Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick and Saluda Counties); the Lower Savannah Region (Aiken and Edgefield Counties); and Graniteville/Vaucluse/Warrenville. An informational “kick-off” meeting for all the groups’ members is being planned for mid-May.
A work plan and schedule for the Project has been prepared, and completion of the recommendations and report is expected by November 1, 2007. The Genesis Team members have commenced work on the Assessment phases of the Project:
Textile Industry Assessment – Miley Gallo & Associates
Industry Cluster Assessment – ACDS, LLC
Workforce Assessment – Genesis Consulting Group
Infrastructure/Inventory Assessment – Genesis Consulting Group
Real Estate Market Assessment – McCallum Sweeney Consulting
Public Relations and Marketing – Maxim Communications Group
A presentation of the above preliminary assessments to the Steering Committee and each of the Stakeholder Groups is being scheduled for early June, at which time the three (3) regional Stakeholder Groups will participate in a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) and a Visioning Session will be facilitated for the Graniteville/Vaucluse/Warrenville Group. These interactive meetings are expected to generate feedback and input that will provide important direction to the subsequent work and final recommendations and Plan.
By Wednesday, April 25th, a website dedicated solely to the Savannah River Basin Textile Recovery Plan and Redevelopment Plan for Graniteville will go “online” as a link to the Genesis website, www.genesis-consulting-group.com, and remain in place throughout the term of the project. Initially, the site will include the project description/ press release; a map of the 10-County region; project photographs; identification of the Genesis Team members and their qualifications; and this update.
The Genesis Team has been assisted by several economic developers throughout the 10-County region making available prior strategic plans, target industry studies, marketing plans and information previously collected regarding the condition of their local textile and related industries. Many of the economic developers in the ten counties will further serve on their respective regional Stakeholder Groups.
