Using one word, CEO Daniel Boggs described the feeling of being able to celebrate 30 years of Greater Greenville’s organizational successes.
That word was “humbling.”
Local officials, community members, businessmen and other leaders of their respective professions gathered during the crisp Thursday evening hours in the Hotel 27 Courtyard to partake in a reception celebrating 30 plus years of service to the Greenville Community.
“I’ve had the privilege of being the head of the organization for 10 years, we’ve been around for 30. The two organizations — Greater Greenville Housing and Revitalization Association and Greater Greenville Development Foundation were formed specifically to serve a need in this community,” said Boggs. “This was a celebration for the community because a lot of people that are here tonight have served on our board and supported our mission.”
As a nationally accredited 501(C) (3) community development corporation, GGDF has been investing in Greenville’s citizens and downtown business owners since its inception in 1990.
“At GGDF, we strive to invigorate our community through revitalization, beautification and programs that preserve our history while moving us forward,” a statement by GGDF read. “Also A 501(C)(3) nonprofit, Greater Greenville Housing and Revitalization Association Inc. is a community development corporation that has been developing, managing and supporting safe, affordable, and decent housing since being named the city’s housing authority in 1992.”
Boggs emphasized the word “community” as it pertained to the overall function of the two organizations.
“I emphasize that word community because we would not be here 30 years later if it wasn’t for the support of the community and all of the things that they do, so again, it’s very humbling to get to this point and I’m very honored to be the face of the organization during this time,” Boggs reiterated. “I think we’ve made a lot of great strides over the past several years, but the foundation was laid a long time ago.”
He acknowledged former GGDF director Dee Jones, who was in attendance, as well as other predecessors, highlighting Jones as one who played an instrumental role in some of the very first developmental projects.
GGDF and GGHRA have worked “cohesively” under the direction of a joint rolling board of directors.
The housing organization has built more than $14 million worth of new home construction, has repaired 273 homes for low-income elderly residents and maintains 142 affordable housing units.
Annually, the work done by GGHRA creates three jobs, supports 96 local businesses and assists 430 low-income persons while spending about $500,000 with local businesses.
The development organization annually matches about $44,000 in grants with 104 business, has purchased 19 downtown buildings and spends about $500,000 with local businesses. The Hot Tamale Festival brings about 29,000 people to downtown Greenville every year.
The annual financial impact of the Hot Tamale Festival is about $7,000,000.
The average income of GGHRA’s tenants is $19,355 and 64 of those tenants are single-parent households.
The organization administers the city Christmas parade, Fourth of July fireworks, the farmers market and a façade grant program for downtown businesses.
In 2020, GGHRA acquired the former Greenville Inn and Suites, renovated it and opened it again as Hotel 27.
“Organizations are here to serve a need and that’s what we’re doing and the next person who follows me will do the same thing,” Boggs added, noting the importance of not being too rigid in the processes as the needs of the community change over time. “I think it’s the obligation of our organization to be able to understand what these needs are and be able to adjust. And, I think we’ve done a good job of reacting to those roles in the past 30 years and hopefully, we’ll be blessed to continue to foster those needs over the next 30 years.”
