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The Greenville County Redevelopment Authority today unveiled a new logo and Web site to bring awareness to how GCRA is making an economic impact. The organization works with 20 local homebuilders and generates nearly $5 million in housing and infrastructure dollars annually.
Francis B. Allgood
fallgood@gsabusiness.com
Published April 6, 2010
Working with 20 local homebuilders and generating almost $5 million in annual housing and infrastructure dollars, the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority is one of the “best kept secrets in Greenville County,” according to board member Tom Van Norstrand. Today the GCRA unveiled a new logo and Web site to bring awareness to how GCRA is making an economic impact.
“Today GCRA is receiving more funds from the government than ever in its life,” Van Norstrand said. “Second, GCRA has one of the most experienced staff than it has every had. They know how to get things done and do it right.”
Today’s announcement at the Brutontown Community Center was made during National Community Development Week. The new logo, created by Greenville-based DNA Creative Communications, features a homeowner figure with raised arms enclosed by an abstract letter “G” forming a roof line overhead.
Brutontown is located between Rutherford Road and Poinsett Highway in Greenville. When completed, the once physically deteriorated neighborhood will consist of 80 new bungalow and craftsman style homes consisting with existing architecture in the community. Homes ranging from 1,100 to 1,200 square feet and start at $90,000.
S.C. Rep. Chandra Dillard said the work done by the GCRA is a model for the state.
“We know there are still too many people in our state that pay more than 30% of their income for housing,” she said. “There are too many people in our state that live in substandard housing. But somehow with all the departments (working together), they made Brutontown a reality.”
GCRA administers more than $3.5 million in annual U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development funding for Greenville County. Since 2002, GCRA has worked to place 150 families in new homes and assisted more than 420 seniors or disabled homeowners with emergency repairs.
“We are very excited about how the new Web site will enable us to meet the needs of homeowners and potential homeowners more efficiently, as well as help us interact with partners and contractors to effectively service our communities,” aid Martin Livingston, GCRA’s executive director.
Like most of the real estate market, affordable housing home sales are down 30% from a year ago, Livingston said. He says the biggest challenge is stretching the dollars the GCRA does receive and finding funds to pay for infrastructure improvements.
“We provide a lot of work for contractors,” he said. “Then there’s the spill over effect for economic development following the roof tops.”
Nathan and Mills Tate moved into Brutontown in June 2009. Both educators, Nathan Tate says he feels blessed to become a part of the community.
“We love living in a mixed community among people with different backgrounds and different life experiences,” he said. “This center (Brutontown Community Center) has become central to our lives here in Brutontown.”
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