June 9, 2020

To: Greenville County Council

H.G. “Butch” Kirven, Jr., Chairman

Dear Chairman Kirven and Members of the Greenville County Council:

Greenville County residents and businesses are hurting because of the COVID-19
pandemic, the business closures, and the disruption of daily life. In February, our local
economy was as strong as ever and the subsequent fall has stressed our people, our small
businesses, and the nonprofits that continue to serve thousands of our neighbors in need.

The $91 million Greenville County received from the CARES Act gives our community
an incredible opportunity to not only heal acute problems but also set the stage for a
comeback that will make us even stronger.

We need a comprehensive plan to re-start our economy, and Greenville’s Business

Recovery Task Force is already a leader in safely restarting our economy, with communities
across the country using us as a model. Our diverse organizations respectfully submit
the attached OPEN Plan proposal and believe it is imperative that the Council look at
the breadth of the needs of our community. Let’s ensure Greenville remains OPEN for
business:

• Operate businesses safely: Create a safe environment for residents and visitors.
• Promote and support reopening our businesses: Help businesses re-open and get
their employees back to work.
• Empower our workforce: Childcare must be readily available, transit must be safely
operating, and businesses and non-profits need to be made whole if we are to fully
get back on our feet.
• Nurture those in need: The County’s non-profit sector has long been on the front lines
of serving our community’s needs. COVID-19 has highlighted many of those needs
and exposed others that we must address.

We don’t know what the future brings, so we encourage you to be thoughtful and
deliberate. We support using the percentages in the attached plan as guidelines so we
can appropriate some of the money now, and reserve some for the future in case a second
wave impacts our community in unanticipated ways.

Many of the guidelines about CARES Act money are vague and we encourage you to
work with community partners to think creatively and figure out what we can do. This is
a transformative opportunity that we can take advantage of to catapult our community
to future greatness – not simply bridge gaps widened by the pandemic. At this time of
need, we need government to think big, be a partner with small business, and provide
for the least among us.

Greenville County is a great place because of our partnerships and commitment to

excellence. Thank you for your service, and please do not hesitate to reach out to any of
us as we work to re-ignite our economic growth.

(over)
Sincerely,

Scot Baddley, President / CEO Susan McLarty, Coordinator

YMCA of Greenville Greenville Homeless Alliance

Meghan Barp, President / CEO Adela Mendoza, Executive Director

United Way of Greenville County Hispanic Alliance

Lizzie Bebber, Executive Director David Merhib, President / CEO

United Ministries Greater Greer Chamber of Commerce

Bryan Brown, President / CEO Bob Morris, President

Greenville Housing Fund Community Foundation of Greenville

Catriona Carlisle, Executive Director Marilyn Neves, Executive Director

Meals on Wheels Foothills Family Resources

Michael Dey, Vice President of Government Affairs Don Oglesby, President and CEO
Homebuilders Association of Greenville Homes of Hope

Sean Dogan, Interim CEO / President W. Carlos Phillips, President & CEO
Urban League of the Upstate Greenville Chamber

Ken Dority, Executive Director Jennifer Piver, Executive Director

NAMI Greenville Mental Health America of Greenville County

Paulette Dunn, CEO Pat Pomeroy, President / CEO

Project Host Greater Mauldin Chamber of Commerce

Suzie Foley, Executive Director Catherine Puckett, Interim Executive Director

Greenville Free Medical Clinic NonProfit Alliance

Monroe Free, President & CEO Caroline T. Robertson, Executive Director

Habitat for Humanity of Greenville County Greer Relief

Charlie Hall, President Nick Sabatine, CEO

Upstate Warrior Solution Greater Greenville Association of REALTORS

Tammie Hoy-Hawkins, President & CEO Katy Pugh Smith, Executive Director
CommunityWorks Greenville Partnership for Philanthropy

Jason D. Johnson, Managing Director Sandra Stroud, President

The Warehouse Theatre Greater Travelers Rest Chamber of Commerce

Major Andy Kelly, Area Commander Mike Teachey, Lead Facilitator

The Salvation Army Greenville CAN

Derek Lewis, Executive Director Gage Weekes, President & CEO

Greenville First Steps Hollingsworth Funds

Tessa P. May, Executive Director Sally Wills, Executive Director

Loaves & Fishes LiveWell Greenville

Allison McGarity, President/CEO

Simpsonville Area Chamber of Commerce

cc: Greenville County Council

Joe Kernell, Greenville County Administrator