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SC TAC leaders show nearly 3‑mile oval, tout regional testing partnerships
Summary
Representatives from SC TAC updated the Greenville City Council on a recently completed nearly 3‑mile oval test track, on‑site garage upgrades and ongoing partnerships with regional economic-development organizations and the City of Greenville.
Representatives from SC TAC told the Greenville City Council about a newly completed nearly 3‑mile oval test track and on‑site facility upgrades the organization says will support automotive testing, training and industry partnerships.
Mary, a presenter with SC TAC, said Greenville “is a wonderful, destination city” and that the proving ground draws customers and tour groups that can see “the type of facility that's local and could be utilized for the automotive industry.”
SC TAC staff described the site as built around a one‑mile straightaway that was the facility's original runway, with added test elements such as a brake lane and slope pillar and an oval track that stretches nearly three miles. Presenters said the oval was completed this summer and that the site includes adjacent garages and workshop space, some structures dating to the 1940s that the organization is upfitting to support vehicle testing and validation. Presenters also noted that charging infrastructure and power are required if users are to run electric vehicle tests on the oval.
“One of the reasons this is so valuable is that customers can come in, test on the site and then come into a garage and utilize that for workshop area,” Mary said. She also showed a short video of the facility and said the proving ground is about 15 minutes from the council chambers.
Council members praised the facility as an economic asset for Greenville and the surrounding Upstate. A council member said the track and related work are “an asset we had here in Greenville,” noting the regional economic importance of automotive testing and training.
Presenters credited partnerships with the Department of Commerce, Upstate Alliance, GDC and the City of Greenville as helping secure infrastructure and grant opportunities that supported the facility’s upgrades. They also recognized former board member John Dworkin and long‑serving director William Brock Fleming; Fleming was named director emeritus, an honor presenters said the SC TAC organization bestows for long service.
Presenters asked only for time for questions and did not present formal requests or council actions during this portion of the meeting.
The council did not take any formal vote on SC TAC matters during this presentation; presenters said they would continue to brief local leaders as needed.
