annual report 2016 - greensboro chamber of …...the opportunity greensboro fellows program connects...

Annual Report 2016

In the life of a city, it is often difficult to measure progress in days, months or, in some instances, years. Transformational projects that lead to substantive improvements require significant commitments of effort, time, leadership, resources and financial support to come to fruition. That has certainly been in the case in Greensboro. For more than a decade, public/private partnerships have renewed and revitalized our community.

The foundations that comprise ActionGreensboro are proud to have played a role and made significant investments in many of these projects. In all, Action Greensboro has invested nearly $40 million to support our community. We have been following a plan of work that includes continued strengthening of the center city, public education and our transportation infra-structure, and leveraging Greensboro's higher education assets.

Those priorities have resulted in a myriad of tangible projects and programs, including:

• Developing the Downtown Greenway in partnership with the City of Greensboro• Creating, Opportunity Greensboro, a partnership with our higher education institutions and local business• Engaging young professionals through synerG Young Professionals• Launching the Made in Greensboro campaign to celebrate our creative community• Helping create Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc.• Partnering to create the first phase of Union Square Campus• Partnering to land the National Folk Festival• Launching the Spark Fund for innovative projects• Opening the co//ab innovative workspace• Raising funds for the STEM Early College at NC A&T State University• Establishing Businesses for Excellence in Education for our public schools, supporting the expansion of Guilford• Education Alliance and creating programs to recognize improved schools and outstanding leadership• Creating the downtown Greensboro master plan• Building and managing Center City Park• Advocating for and building the new baseball stadium• Strengthening resources for entrepreneurs, including supporting the renovation of the Nussbaum Center• Committing funding to early efforts to bring housing options to the center city

In each of these and other efforts, we have embraced a collaborative team effort with city and county elected officials and staff, corporations, other foundations, non-profit organizations and engaged citizens. While these projects have us moving in the right direction, there must be continuous planning and investments to keep our city growing. Action Greensboro will continue to proudly play its part in Greensboro’s resurgence.

Action Greensboro 2016 Annual Report |

CECELIA THOMPSONExecutive DirectorAction Greensboro

• The Cemala Foundation • Joseph M. Bryan Foundation of Greater Greensboro • the Community Foundation • Phillips Foundation • Cone Health Foundation • Tannenbaum Sternberger Foundation


12On Tap Networkingevents attended by

1000 people

2 Making Connections events with 125 people, 18 Special guests

5 Young Professionals community brainstorming sessions

4First Friday on the Block events attended by 4,000 people

13 lunch and learns attended by 390 people

1000 feet water slide in Downtown with Slide the City event

synerG is more than just an organization for Greensboro’s young professionals. They are as diverse as they are passionate about the city they call home and believe wholeheartedly in creating opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders to grow today. Through a range of events throughout the year, synerG promotes connectedness, diversity and inclusion, and accessibility.

From educational opportunities for young professionals to community engagement projects, the synerG young professionals made a significant impact in Greensboro in 2016. synerG partnered with the City of Greensboro on a new lunch and learn series highlighting different departments in the City, chose and implemented and new public art sculpture at the Cultural Arts Center, held meetings on the future of economic development in the city, advocated in favor of the four local bonds that passed in November and began on-going collaborative meetings with other young professional groups in Greensboro to increase the effectiveness of our programming. Whether it’s through coordinated efforts of the organization, board to our volunteer involvement in other organizations in the city, young professionals in Greensboro are proving their commitment to actively improving our community.

22 young professional council members developing leadership opportunities for Greensboro.

Greensboro Project Space & The Forge's Art Marquee*Greensboro Project Space (GPS) and The Forge, will create a public art installation for the rooftop of the Forge building, located at 219 West Lewis Street.The art installation will be a highly visible large-scale LED marquee on the corner of Eugene Street/Gate City Boulevard intersection. This public art installation will positively impact the landscape, connect people through art and Spark! the imagination of our city.

Greensboro Moves*“Greensboro Moves” will bring dance out of the studio and into the community, inviting Greensboro residents from all walks of life to tap into their creative potential.

Greenway Beautification at the IRC*Interactive Resource Center, will paint a mural on their building that faces Murrow Blvd, right on the Downtown Greenway. As a social justice agency and the physical bridge between downtown and east Greensboro, their hope is to capture Greensboro's history and dreams for equality in the mural installation.

Revolve! A Ferris Wheel on South Elm*Elsewhere, a living museum and artist residency set in a former thrift store will stage a ferris wheel on Elm Street. The 40’ tall ferris wheel will be in celebration of Greensboro’s South End during 17 Days and Elsewhere’s grand museum re-opening.

Westerwood Neighborhood Beautification MuralThe Westerwood Neighborhood Association, Inc. will install a colorful, positive mural on the side of the Greensboro College theater shop building in the Westerwood neighborhood, directly adjacent to the path of the future Downtown Greenway.

Selfies with Spoonboy"Selfies with Spoonboy" involves the production of several customized inflatables of the Weatherspoon's "mascot" Spoonboy, in conjunction with its 75th Anniversary year in 2016. The inflatables will be taken to various locations throughout downtown and extensions of downtown.

Reconsidered Goods Pop Up ShopThe Reconsidered Goods Pop Up Shop will be a new, month long creative reuse green initiative. It will be aligned with Earth Day events and open to the public for four consecutive weekends. The Pop Up Shop will offer free hands-on activity for visitors and families to enjoy while exploring the downtown area.

*Funded in partnership with Downtown Greensboro, Inc.


Action Greensboro and Downtown Greensboro Inc. are helping to pioneer an innovative method of community development. Spark Grants are aimed to support unexpected, fun and exciting projects in downtown Greensboro with an effort to create buzz and community involvement. In 2016, seven Spark Grants were awarded.


Marketing our Story

TACKLE YOUR TO-DO LIST FOR 2016Food Fanatic

BEYOND THE BAR: UNUSUAL PLACES TO DRINK CRAFT BEEREater

ONE SOUTHERN LEADER BRIDGES CIVIL RIGHTS’ PAST AND BLACK LIVES MATTER’S FUTUREYes Magazine

VINTAGE OR CUSTOM: GUITARS THAT SOUND AND LOOK BEAUTIFULTicker Tape

THE BAD ASS LADIES OF GREENSBOROBuzzfeed

MERCHANDISING CAFE BASICSFresh Cup

WHERE HAVE ALL THE COLLEGE STUDENTS GONE?University Business

20 REASONS WHY GREENSBORO IS COOL AS FOLKBuzzfeed

FOR PR PROS, GREENSBORO, NC HAS ‘THE RIGHT AMENITITES,’ SANS URBAN HASSLEPR Weekly

#GOALS: ‘SENSORY’ PLAYGROUND DESIGNED FOR (AND BY) KIDS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS DEBUTS IN JULYHopeful Headlines

JANET ECHELMAN’S RAILROAD-INSPIRED NET SCULPTURE PREMIERS IN NORTH CAROLINAArch Daily

GREENSBORO’S LEBAUER PARK OPENS BRINGING WONDER AND DELIGHTNorth State Journal

Action Greensboro is committed to telling Greensboro’s story to key external audiences to build brand awareness, attract new residents and businesses, and support economic development efforts. We work to leverage stories about quality of life, entrepreneurial success and professional opportuni-ties that generate positive coverage for Greensboro through a variety of channels.

PRIVATE MONEY AND MANAGEMENT ARE TRANSFORMING AMERICA'S DOWNTOWNSUrbanLand Magazine

Opportunity Greensboro Fellows ProgramINAUGURAL YEAR


With an interest in better preparing college students with talent and leadership development opportunities, Opportunity Greensboro launched the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program in 2016. Opportunity Greensboro, a business and collegiate partnership, is a consortium of the business and higher education leaders who are working to further the connections between businesses and our seven colleges and universities. Through this national model of collaboration, the leaders identify and act on opportunities to transform our wealth of educational assets into commercial success—creating for Greensboro a competitive advantage for business growth. The Fellows Program exposed 36 local college students to industry experiences, key leaders in the community, and life in Greensboro as a young professional. Over the 10-week summer program, the Fellows had paid internships, volunteer mentors from the community, and learned more about Greensboro. Ultimately, the Opportunity Greensboro Fellows Program connects higher education, local business and the 50,000+ college students in Greensboro. The inaugural program would not have been possible or successful without support from Opportunity Greensboro, local colleges and universities, volunteer community mentors, and internship host sites.

500+ applicants

Exceeded goal of

30 Fellowsin inaugural cohort

2-day participation in Leonard Kaplan Leadership Institute

2 community receptions (welcome and closing)

5 community engagement events

Internships extended through the fall

76%indicated they are interested in staying in Greensboro after graduation

84%indicated that they understand the leading industries in Greensboro

60%indicated they built relationships with key leaders in the community

91%indicated that the Leonard Kaplan Leadership Institute was an impactful part of their summer development

SEPTEMBER 24

InnovationCornerstone

GrandOpening

SEPTEMBER 24

Run 4the

Greenway

AUGUST 22-25

DowntownRestaurant

Week

SUMMER

Free Fitnessat Morehead

Park

• Passage of the 2016 City of Greensboro Parks & Recreation Bond including $7M for construction of the western mile along the railroad corridor. It is difficult to express what a significant achievement this was. Thanks go to the Mayor, Council City, and everyone who worked hard to achieve this successful vote. • Opening of Woven Works Park/Innovation Cornerstone on September 24 prior to the 7th annual Run 4 the Greenway, which was held for the first time in Cumberland Park adjacent to Woven Works Park.• The continuing increase in economic development: approximately $216 million in private economic development activity along the Downtown Greenway is completed or underway since 2008. New businesses opened in 2016 adjacent to the Downtown Greenway include Joymongers Brewing Company, Morehead Foundry, and Thomas Tire.• Construction begun on the northern section along Eugene Street between Smith Street and Fisher.• On the Greenway:

• There were 3,703 followers on Facebook, 4,311 followers on Twitter, and 2,509 followers on Instagram.• An average of 2,500 people per month used the open sections of the Downtown Greenway.• 22 downtown restaurants and bars participated in the Downtown Greensboro Restaurant Week benefitting the Downtown Greenway. • $11,000 was raised at the 7th Annual Run 4 the Greenway in September. New in 2016: the Run was moved to Cumberland Park and we partnered with Bennett College to honor their 90th Anniversary.


2016 was a busy year for the Downtown Greenway both behind the scenes and on the ground. Highlights included:


$10.5 million almost

private

over

$21.3 millionpublic TOTAL FUNDING

+ = $31.8 million

$144,635New private funds in 2016

$7 millionNew public funds in 2016

2016 HighlightsUnder constructionFall 2016

Design Underway

Grand Opening & Run 4 the Greenway(September 24)

Free Fitness (Summer)

Made in Greensboro, a new city branding effort, was launched to celebrate entrepreneurs, artists, community builders and Greensboro’s next generation of leaders. An estimated 70,000+ viewers have engaged with the campaign via email distribution, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We continue to receive maker suggestions and are working to incorporate a greater focus on individuals with jobs/careers in the Corporate sector. We are excited to be working in collaboration with the City of Greensboro moving forward with this project. This partnership will allow us to cast a wider net for outreach and increase our staff capacity.


50 makers.In 2016 we featured over

48,080Total page views35% of

viewers from Greensboro

Viewers from the top 5 cities within NC included:

CHARLOTTERALEIGHHIGH POINTWINSTON-SALEMDURHAM

Viewers from the top 5 cities outside NC included:

ATLANTANEW YORKWASHINGTONCHICAGONASHVILLE

1% are 18-24 25% are 15-34 22% are 35-44

20% are 45-54 14% are 55-64 6% are 65+

We have had viewers from

the UKRussiaCanadaIndiaGermany

...among others

VIEWER AGE DEMOGRAPHICS


2016 marked the 10th Anniversary of Center City Park in downtown Greensboro. The Park was funded in 2006 by donations from more than 400 individuals, corporations, foundations, and organizations, with gifts ranging from $5 to $2 million. Private invest-ment and public development have followed with the tens of millions of investment in the center city. Center City Park continues to serve as a central gathering place for Greensboro residents and visitors.

In 2016, LeBauer Park opened in downtown Greensboro amid much fanfare, adding another cultural treasure to our community. This magnificent park has quickly become a favorite gathering spot for residents and visitors alike, and it joins other downtown investment projects that are transforming the landscape of our city and enriching our quality of life.

The addition of LeBauer Park also trans-formed the management of downtown parks, leading Greensboro to establish Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc. (GDPI), with responsibility for overseeing operations, programming and fundraising for both LeBauer Park and City Center Park. Together, these two public spaces are a dynamic duo that contribute to the growing vibrancy of our city.

City Council accepted the donation of Center City Park at the June 18, 2016 Council Meeting. Both Center City Park and LeBauer Park are under the management of Greensboro Downtown Parks, Inc.

Center City Park and LeBauer Park

co//ab is a co-working space for entrepreneurs providing an address, desk, conference room, high-speed internet access and other office services. co//ab opened January 2015 and is now home to 37 entrepreneurs and students collaborating and working on their businesses. The space hosts many community events and most of the LaunchGreensboro programming including IdeaLaunch, Launch-Lab and Office Hours. co//ab is always working to be a more welcoming community, and hold happy hour events as well as community lunches.

“The beauty of the National Folk Festival, despite its moorings in traditional arts, is that it offers something different for most of us. It invites us to see and hear the world as other people express their experiences and emotions — their humanity. It attracts people who are open to that, who celebrate it and who express themselves in creative ways unbound by strict social norms. And Greensboro makes them feel at home.”

-DOUG CLARK, NEWS & RECORD


YES FOR GREENSBORO BONDS! Action Greensboro, in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Greensboro Inc., East Market Redevelopment, RLF Communications and other partners, led a city-wide campaign to gain voter approval for four city bonds totaling $127 million in public investment. The city received an overwhelming endorsement from Greensboro residents on all four bonds.

Action Greensboro hosts joint meeting of the supporting foundation boards. Action Greensboro hosted a joint meeting of the Action Greensboro supporting foundations boards. Fifty board members, Action Greensboro staff and volunteers convened for a trolley tour of Action Greensboro investments in Downtown Greensboro, followed by a tour of Union Square Campus, dinner and discussion.

National Folk Festival Greensboro hosted the second year of the National Folk Festival in downtown Greensboro in September. Attendance topped 138,000-plus attendees, increasing attendance 35% since year one.

An increase in media partnerships made it possible to stream the National Folk Festival worldwide, including reaching those on active duty in the US military.

annual report 2016 - greensboro chamber of …...the opportunity greensboro fellows program connects...

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