Greenville’s Whitworth Named Local Developer of the Year

The City of Greenville’s longtime economic developer, Nancy Whitworth, was recognized this week as Local Economic Developer of the Year by the Upstate SC Alliance. 
 

The regional economic development organization bestowed the award Wednesday at its 2018 Mid-Year Meeting, which drew more than 200 leaders from across the Upstate to the Crowne Plaza Greenville. 

 

Whitworth’s accomplishments as Director of Economic Development and most recently as Deputy City Manager include implementing an award-winning downtown revitalization strategy, managing the Greenville Local Development Corporation, creating public/private partnerships that have attracted more than $980 million in capital investment, and streamlining the city’s business permitting process. 
 

Under Whitworth’s economic development leadership, city-wide sales within Greenville have increased 50 percent in the last 10 years, and in 2017, total downtown sales exceeded $2 billion for the first time ever. 
 

“Nancy is a driving force in Greenville’s economic development, and her hard work and dedication are evident in the numerous successful public-private partnerships throughout the city,” said John Castile, outgoing Greenville City Manager who has worked with Whitworth a number of years. “Greenville’s revitalization and growth did not happen by chance. Rather, they are the result of the commitment and leadership of public servants like Nancy. She is a role model and a consummate professional, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
 

“We are thrilled Nancy is being recognized for her work growing businesses and recruiting new industries to our vibrant city,” said Greenville City Council member Amy Ryberg Doyle, who also serves on the Upstate SC Alliance Executive Committee. “What Nancy understands best is that, at the core of every great deal, there is an opportunity to provide jobs for the people of Greenville.”