In 1989, under the leadership of John Wardlaw, The Spartanburg County Foundation began printing indicator publications to effectively raise awareness of the key issues that impact the growth, health and quality of life in Spartanburg County. 

In 2003, The Spartanburg County Foundation partnered with the United Way of the Piedmont to convene hundreds of citizens to examine the issues that face our community and develop strategies to bring about significant change.  Strategic Spartanburg: Community Indicators VI and The Community Improvement Plan were both fruits of that effort.  The community developed ten goals to concentrate on. 

In 2005, Spartanburg County Government was brought on as a sponsor and major funder.  A Cabinet was formed with representation from each of the sponsoring organizations to guide the project and a part-time coordinator was hired for day to day issues.

In 2007, USC Upstate joined as the fourth major sponsor.  The University's Metropolitan Studies Institute, led by Dr. Kathleen Brady, is now playing a key role in keeping data current and facilitating the research portion of this project.  This new partnership allowed for a more comprehensive assessment of the status of each goal in 2008 and 2009. 

During that time, the Project also went through a branding transformation.  It was renamed Spartanburg Community Indicators Project.  It developed a tagline, "Inspiring Dialogue, Strategy and Change" and a project marketing plan.  Part of the marketing plan was developing the community engagement process. 

In 2009, the Cabinet decided to make the project more in line with other national indicator projects.  The ten goals were reorganized into six focus areas.  The Project now collects data around the areas of Education, Economy, Health, Social Environment, Natural Environment and Community Engagement. 

In 2010, the Project began releasing shorter, "dashboard" reports and now will release three reports a year with every topic being reported on a two year basis.  Part of the Community Engagement process is to hold events several times a year to convene the community around the data, and to inspire the dialogue and strategy necessary to bring about significant change in our community.  

The Project also holds events several times a year to convene the community around the data, and to inspire the dialogue and strategy necessary to bring about significant change in our community.  The Project is also able to provide community leaders and subject matter experts to your group for discussion around any one of the six project focus areas.  Please contact us if you are interested.

A host of community and faith-based organizations use the indicators for their strategic planning and community outreach efforts. Local funders such as Spartanburg County Government, United Way of the Piedmont, and The Spartanburg County Foundation have all aligned their funding to aid these organizations.

The Spartanburg Community Indicators Project continues to be contacted by communities across the nation wishing to replicate our project within their communities.  Some of those communities include: Barberton, Ohio; Florence, S.C.; Washington County, MD and Columbus County, GA.  We have also shared our story at National and International conferences.  From Boston to Jacksonville to the country of Turkey, we are being recognized as an indicator “best practice.”  Please contact us if your community would like to learn more about our project.