During the first-ever EDD Wealth Creation Summit: Building Equitable Regional Economies in Greenville, South Carolina, attendees had the opportunity to participate in a mobile workshop to a variety of stops along the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail Network is a 28-mile multi-use (walking and bicycling) greenway that traverses along the Reedy River, an old railroad corridor and City parks to connect Travelers Rest with the City of Greenville, South Carolina. However, the trail is expanding south of Greenville as well, to the communities of Mauldin and Simpsonville.
The tour provided a view of recreation asset creation as an economic development strategy from three different perspectives:
The tour also showed how regional assets like recreation trails can create a more cohesive regional identity among various localities and facilitate a sense of connection between downtowns, suburban communities and large institutions.
The branding of the Swamp Rabbit Trail has been especially successful, as it is a creative tie to the history of the facility and the region; its broad name identification (including its part in the Swamp Rabbit Café and Grocery) further contributes to the sense of regional identify it seeks to foster.
We started in Greenville at the hotel; however the trail can be found right downtown in Falls Park. Our first stop was Travelers Rest, a community that got its name in the 1800s because it served as a rest stop for those traversing the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then in 1888, the Greenville and Northern Railway train, nicknamed the Swamp Rabbit (because it hopped over shoddy and uneven tracks along the swampy banks of the Reedy River like the swamp rabbit native to the area), brought travelers through Travelers Rest as a stop between Greenville and River Falls. Travelers Rest thrived until the 1980s and 1990s when textile mills and local storefronts shut down. In 2009, the rail line was converted into the Swamp Rabbit Trail. The trail opened in stages; the first section was a 9-mile greenway that connected Greenville and Travelers Rest. The trail has had a significant impact on the local economy of Travelers Rest, with shops and restaurants near the trail reporting up to an 85% increase in revenue. “The first year that the trail was open they had about 15,000 people [who] used it,” says Tim Todd, Director of Discover Upcountry Carolina. “Now it’s about half a million people a year.” [1]
This all spurred the revitalization of downtown Travelers Rest, adding a variety of retail shops and restaurants to the offerings. The trail is estimated to generate $6.7 million in tourism revenue annually.
According to Dianna Gracely, former Travelers Rest City Administrator, “Trail conversion happened at the same time as downtown revitalization. The trail is parallel to Main Street. We went from 30% occupancy to 100% occupancy. It truly made Travelers Rest what it is.”
The community of Travelers Rest provides a great example of iterative placemaking. This is exemplified by how the trail created momentum for a variety of other forms of development in Travelers Rest, including the development of the farmers market as well as restoring the Travelers Rest Inn, which in turn will be an anchor in the future city park adjacent to it.
[1] Chandra, F. 2024. How the Swamp Rabbit Trail Put a Small South Carolina Town on the Map. https://www.thrillist.com/travel/atlanta/bike-the-swamp-rabbit-trail-south-carolina
“The Swamp Rabbit Trail was a great workshop for me, one who's just learning about wealth creation. I had no idea that something as "simple" as a biking or running trail could create so many opportunities for communities socially and commercially. For it to be so popular that it became the cornerstone for the cafe/farmer's market and the new development we went to as the last stop was eye-opening. I just didn't know it could be that important.”
Our tour ended at the Bridgeway Station and the BridgeWay Brewery in the City of Mauldin.
In Mauldin, the pedestrian bridge connection over the six-lane Interstate 385 and the BridgeWay Station development were the key pieces of an interesting project that attempted to bring the economic development potential of the Trail across a major barrier (the interstate). BridgeWay Station features a variety of retail shops and restaurants as well as housing, all in an Italianate building style. The pedestrian bridge will also serve to connect the BridgeWay Station offerings to the greater Mauldin community, as well as the Mauldin City Trail and eventually the Mauldin City Center.
It is too early to tell how integrated Mauldin will feel with the Trail, but it was a great example of a project where the developer has come to be invested in the success of the recreation trail and feels their project is more than just an isolated town center because of it. There was a strong sense of shared vision and buy-in from the City and the developer.
“The best was The Swamp Rabbit Trail Tour- experiencing the trail and hearing from individuals along the way was super useful and inspiring. It also allowed for lots of conversation with attendees along the way. The lunch and visit to Swamp Rabbit Cafe was a personal highlight.”
The pedestrian bridge in Mauldin was also the key to expanding the trail to Simpsonville and Fountain Inn. Dianna Gracely, Simpsonville City Administrator and former Travelers Rest City Administrator, joined us to talk about the plans taking shape in Simpsonville. Dianna was intimately involved in the trail coming to Travelers Rest. In Simpsonville, there is a section of about 9/10 of a mile that will then connect to the community of Fountain Inn. Dianna has been focused on getting easements from private property owners. There is also a plan to develop a shared-use path which will be the first section of the Swamp Rabbit Trail in Simpsonville.
The cities of Fountain Inn, Mauldin and Simpsonville – the Golden Strip – are working together to ensure that all three communities benefit from the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
It’s estimated that 2 million people use the trail annually. According to Ty Houck, Director of Greenways, Natural and Historic Resources for Greenville County Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 1/3 are using it for transportation.
“The best session was the Swamp Rabbit Trail tour. I was impressed with how many people we got to hear from and amazed to see first-hand the impacts of the trail in the community. I am working on a trail connectivity project between our region's communities and I plan to take back many things from the Swamp Rabbit Trail.”
Michael Matthews is the Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), where he leads congressional and executive branch outreach, coalition building, and advocacy efforts on behalf of more than 500 regional development organizations (RDOs) nationwide.
With over a decade of experience, Michael combines policy expertise with political acumen to advance federal policies that promote equitable community development, economic competitiveness, rural growth, economic mobility, and quality of place. Before joining NADO, he served as the Legislative Director for Community, Economic & Workforce Development at the National Association of Counties (NACo), collaborating with county officials to shape policies affecting local governments in areas such as housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce initiatives.
Earlier in his career, Michael held various policy positions at the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Office of Congressman Anthony G. Brown (D-Md.), and contributed to several political campaigns across the Washington, D.C. metro area.
Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Salisbury University and a master’s degree in public administration from Wilmington University. A native of Delaware, he now resides in Lake Ridge, Virginia, with his wife and daughter.
Ryan Collins joined NADO in 2024. He lives in Athens, Ohio, and is passionate about ensuring rural communities thrive and prosper across the country. Ryan has always identified as a helper and has focused his career on serving others in both the public and private sectors. Before joining NADO, Ryan worked as a Policy Manager with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. There he focused on Federal Policy issues and making them more accessible to members.
Ryan also worked with NADO-member organization, Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC). There he served as a Broadband Coordinator and then as a Program Manager leading Ohio’s Southeast Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance, managing BHRC’s State and Federal Appalachian Regional Commission programs, and working in several other programs.
In his free time, Ryan enjoys reading, playing Dungeons and Dragons along with Magic the Gathering, building models, hiking, and spending time with his children (his cats Saturn and Cosmo).
Andrew Coker joined the NADO team in March of 2023 as a Regional Development Researcher after spending two and a half years as the Regional Economic Resiliency Coordinator at NADO-member organization West Central Arkansas Planning and Development District.
Now serving at NADO as a Program Manager, Andrew conducts research on the newest economic and community development best practices from Economic Development Districts across the country. He helps produce easily digestible information on complex regional issues through case studies, tip sheets, and research reports. Andrew also hosts training and professional development opportunities including conference sessions and virtual webinars for member regional development organizations.
Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. He is one of NADO’s three Missouri-based team members and enjoys reading and training for his next triathlon.
As Director of Programs, Jack Morgan manages the portfolio of NADO’s training, research, capacity-building, and other grant-funded programs and activities of the NADO Research Foundation. Jack previously served as a NADO Senior Program Manager and Associate Director, leading work supporting energy communities and the training programs for Emerging Leaders.
Jack joined the NADO team in 2022 after seven years with the National Association of Counties (NACo) as a Program and Senior Program Manager. Prior to NACo, Jack was a Policy Analyst for Friends of Southwest Virginia and interned for Mount Rogers Planning District Commission (VA). Jack holds a bachelor’s in geography from Emory & Henry College and a master’s in geography from Appalachian State University.
Jack is certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is a member of the American Planning Association (APA) Regional & Intergovernmental Planning Division. He also serves on the Emory & Henry College Alumni Board.
Taking road trips, reading non-fiction, and indulging in top-notch barbecue and coffee round out Jack’s days. He loves maps, mountains, and of course, all things sports.
Kar’ron Grant joined the NADO team in 2023 as Administrative Specialist and is the first face (or voice) you’ll see or hear when reaching out to NADO. As Administrative Specialist, Kar’ron manages our database and coordinates NADO event operations. He ensures members’ needs are met, contact information stays current, and NADO’s office is running efficiently.
Kar’ron came to NADO after four years in the classroom teaching at The New Century School and Old Mill Middle North where he received the Patriot of the Year award. He attended Towson University and the University of Maryland Global Campus and holds a bachelor’s in international studies and humanities.
Visiting art galleries and museums, playing basketball and bowling, and taking in movies and music are some of Kar’ron’s interests and hobbies.
Deputy Executive Director Laurie Thompson has been with NADO for 25 years. Laurie helps keep the NADO and NADO Research Foundation wheels turning through management of the daily operations of the Research Foundation, securing financial resources and overseeing grants management, and helping execute NADO’s Annual Training Conference each year.
Laurie holds a bachelor’s in public affairs and government from Mount Vernon College and a master’s in health services administration from The George Washington University. Prior to NADO, Laurie spent time as a Field Specialist and an Eagle Staff Fund Director at First Nations Development Institute.
When she’s taking a rare reprieve from her NADO work, Laurie enjoys traveling domestically and internationally to visit friends and family.
Jamie McCormick joined the NADO team as a Policy Fellow in 2019 and now serves as a Senior Manager of Member Services. In this role, she supports NADO’s engagement with its membership, helping ensure members stay connected, informed, and supported. She assists with programs, communications, and events that strengthen relationships across the organization’s network.
Brett Schwartz began at NADO in 2012 as a Research Fellow after earning his J.D. from the University of Baltimore School of Law. The following year, he was promoted to Program Manager and has now been leading as an Associate Director since 2018. Brett is responsible for managing NADO’s Economic Development District Community of Practice (EDD CoP), as well as researching and monitoring the latest trends in regional economic development and resilience, including best practices for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). With more than a decade of experience on the NADO team, Brett is a dynamic relationship builder helping connect and build capacity among the national network of regional development organizations.
Brett also holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and a master’s from Trinity College Dublin, as well as a certificate in mediation training. He’s a member of Catalyst Grantmakers of San Diego and Imperial Counties and was a participant in the 2021-22 Field Trips to the Future Cohort.
Brett is one of NADO’s West Coast team members residing in San Diego, CA where he enjoys spending time outdoors, attending concerts and festivals, and soaking up life as a parent of two young children.
Katie Allison joined the team in 2023 to lead the strategic communication efforts of NADO. Katie creates and develops print and online materials, communicates NADO’s updates to members via weekly emails, and maintains content for nado.org and NADO’s social media channels. She also works with different departments to generate new ideas and strategies to effectively describe and promote the important work NADO is doing for EDDs and RDOs across the country.
An experienced nonprofit communications professional, Katie worked for organizations in western North Carolina for nearly a decade. She holds a bachelor’s in communications from Wingate University where she was a four-year student athlete.
Senior Program Manager Ciara Ristig has been a member of the NADO team since 2021, and helps with NADO’s EDD Community of Practice, EDD staff capacity building and other grants on a range of subjects, including equity and solar energy. Before NADO, Ciara worked as a Planner for the County of Santa Barbara and an Assistant Project Manager for REM Consult. Ciara holds a bachelor’s in urban studies and French from Bryn Mawr and a master’s in urban studies from Ecole d’Urbanisme de Paris.
When she’s not traveling, you can find her outrigger paddling and serving on the board of the Blue Sky Center in New Cuyama, CA, near her home base of Santa Barbara.
Carrie Kissel has been a member of the NADO team since 2005 and currently serves as Associate Director, Transportation. Carrie holds a bachelor’s in anthropology from Ball State University and a master’s in public anthropology from American University. In her role at NADO, Carrie provides technical assistance and support to rural regions on transportation and economic development issues. She also develops training and peer exchange events on transportation issues and rural wealth creation as an economic development strategy.
Carrie is a member of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and serves as chair of the TRB Standing Committee on Transportation in Rural Areas.
Reading, gardening, hiking, and kayaking are a few of Carrie’s hobbies.
Melissa Levy has worked at NADO as a Wealth Creation Specialist since February 2023 and is the Principal Consultant at her own firm specializing in wealth-based economic development consulting. With a career spanning nearly 30 years, Melissa brings a breadth of knowledge to her role providing in-depth research, coaching, and training on regional economic resilience, rural wealth creation strategies, and economic development.
Melissa is a North American Food Systems Network trained AgriCluster Resilience and Expansion (ACRE) facilitator and a WealthWorks coach, facilitator, and trainer.
In addition to her professional work, Melissa serves on the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council, on the board of the Hinesburg Community Resource Center, and on the Hinesburg Economic Development Committee.
A true outdoorswoman, Melissa enjoys cross country and downhill skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, and kayaking, as well as yoga, and teaching Tai Chi.
Senior Program Manager Krishna Kunapareddy began her role with NADO in February of 2023 after 14 years of service at Boonslick Regional Planning Commission in Missouri. Krishna manages NADO Research Foundation’s Planning and Environmental Linkages and Center for Environmental Excellence projects. In addition to researching and writing, Krishna also conducts virtual workshops on innovative tools and techniques related to transportation planning.
She holds an undergraduate degree from Andhra University and a master’s from JNT University in India, as well as a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. Krishna is also a certified Smart Cities Academy Practitioner and holds the Location Advantage certificate from geographic information system software company ESRI.
In her spare time, Krishna volunteers with Mentors4College helping high schoolers better plan for their post-high school paths.
Bret Allphin joined NADO in April of 2022 bringing with him a wealth of knowledge after a 20-year career with Buckeye Hills Regional Council in Marietta, Ohio. In addition to his bachelor’s in political science and master’s in public affairs, Bret is a licensed Geographical Information Systems Professional (GISP). He is NADO’s go-to team member for all things mapping while also supporting members with transportation and economic development technical assistance services.
An avid sports aficionado and former collegiate athlete, Bret enjoys cheering on his Cincinnati Reds, hitting the trails on his mountain bike, and improving his golf game whenever possible. Bret is an involved community member in Marietta dedicating much of his spare time to serving on local nonprofit boards.
Applications cannot be saved and returned to at a later time. It is recommended you compile all of your information in advance in a word processor and cut and paste into the application below.
Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.
Joe has more than 30 years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.
McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.
