Seemingly having transformed in no small way with many of America's conflicts, the Vietnam War was no exception when, in the early 1970's, Greenville once again experienced a large scale renovation. The renaissance began with reconfiguring the streetscape to accommodate more cars with angled parking to support local business. With the addition of decorative lights and the inclusion of plazas and parks as well as newly planted trees, the City of Greenville became the very embodiment of Smalltown America.
More recently, those trees have matured and create an impressive canopy which envelopes Main Street and the City square creating not only an attractive hotspot for business, retail, restaurants and culture but a metaphor for the maturation of the city into something far beyond Smalltown, America. This coming of age, coupled with a $70 million revitalization of the 30-acre Falls Park, creates a serene atmosphere for residents and visitors alike as they amble across a suspension bridge where they can overlook the natural water falls of the Reedy River and reflect on how it is a literal symbol for how innovatively Greenville has come from the annals of history to artfully rest on the shores of the 21st century.
Once a textile town, now home to well-known business giants the likes of BMW, General Electric, Mitsubishi Film, Michelin as well as a burgeoning education industry with nearby major universities providing well-educated populace to support the growth in industry, it truly looks as if Greenville has come of age.
These continual remakes of this remarkable city have caused the spotlight to shine once again on Greenville as it emerges in the 21st Century as a chic and savvy place to see and be seen in many circles: not only in education, business, social and philanthropic circles but Greenville is most notably becoming a cultural, and artistic who's who for those in the know in those communities. With four museums devoted to the arts and four theatres devoted to live stage shows as well as the Bi-Lo Center and the renowned Peace Center which hosts first-run Broadway shows, the arts have an annual economic impact of about $200 million for Greenville.
A thriving economy, chic and upscale dining and shopping, an eclectic and solid art community, thriving industry, ongoing events, beautiful inner city and even more breathtaking outskirts, temperate weather which offers all four season, all without outgrowing the quaint feel of a asthetically beautiful community developed in a different time. This destination spot, this American hometown has come a long way, seen quite a bit, rolled with the punches, changed with the times, and proves that the logic of solid planning means success in creating a place where everyone should visit at least one time and maybe, stay a while. Greenville, destination spot, business hotspot, America's hometown. Hmmm, Greenville…home?
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