Congratulations to United Community! Earlier this year, South Carolina’s largest bank invested $190 million in a custom headquarters in downtown Greenville — our own shining bank on a hill. The stunning six-story office space was designed with the goal of fostering connections among employees inside, while also providing access outside to the many amenities Greenville offers.
This kind of forward-thinking investment has created space for 300 employees to work in the heart of our city, energizing local businesses and contributing to the vibrancy — or “people on the streets” as I like to say — of our downtown.
While United built new office space, others have also recently boosted our business district. Canal Insurance brought some 200 employees to a newly renovated space on Main Street, and Purpose Financial moved its headquarters from Spartanburg to office space in the new mixed-use building in the West End.
This influx brings more highly paid workers, who are likely to support our small businesses — whether it’s a lunch break at a local restaurant, after-work shopping at a boutique, or both at places like the West End’s café and women’s boutique, Augusta 20. Corporate headquarters also frequently invest heavily in local philanthropy, becoming pillars of the community. This combination of economic activity and corporate responsibility strengthens both downtown and the surrounding areas.
While Greenville is thriving, many other large cities are struggling.
In Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Charlotte, office buildings are facing high vacancy rates due to remote work trends, forcing building owners to rapidly convert offices to residential spaces to stave off foreclosure. Without adaptation, a “doom loop” threatens: fewer workers lead to less business, lower city revenues and reduced public services, hampering efforts to attract new residents and business.
On the other hand, Greenville made thoughtful, strategic investments over the years, focusing on mixed-use development that combines office, retail and residential spaces. This approach has been the “secret sauce” to our success, transforming Greenville from an aging mill town into one of the best in the country. We’ve created a balanced ecosystem that attracts both companies and people, positioning us for sustained growth and vibrancy well into the future.
As other cities scramble to reinvent themselves, Greenville’s forward-thinking approach is keeping us on a path of thoughtful growth and success. And with investments from companies like United Community, we’re ensuring that downtown Greenville will thrive for years to come.
City of Greenville, Mayor Knox White
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