By Katie Boggs, CSG Advancement Fellow
Swisher, the iconic family-owned brand of more than 150 years, committed $500,000 to the continued construction of the Emerald Trail, a 30-mile pedestrian and bicycle route system connecting downtown Jacksonville, Florida, with neighborhoods, schools, parks, restaurants, businesses and more.
Starting in 2019, the Emerald Trail initiative was organized by Groundwork Jacksonville, the city’s nonprofit partner and one of 21 Groundwork USA trusts in the country. Swisher’s large donation is part of a goal to invest $1 million in community and philanthropic initiatives in 2023.
The trail will connect 14 historic urban neighborhoods, 16 schools, two colleges and 21 parks among other local destinations to the downtown Jacksonville area. The development will also encompass surrounding waterways such as the St. Johns River, McCoys Creek and Hogans Creek. An additional 13 schools and 17 parks are located within a three-block radius of the trail, creating an expansive community outdoor destination.
“Swisher is proud to support the Emerald Trail, a transformative project that will help revitalize Downtown Jacksonville and be an important catalyst for social and economic development,” said Swisher President and CEO Neil Kiely. “As a family-owned company, we are honored to support programs and organizations like Groundwork Jacksonville that are making positive and generational impacts on the city we’ve called home for nearly a century.”
There are nine segments of the Emerald Trail yet to be constructed. The LaVilla Link, the first segment, opened in August of this year. The second segment, involving Hogan Street, is scheduled to be under construction by early 2024 and the design of the third segment, the Riverside Link, will be finished by the end of 2023. The entire trail network is expected to take 10 years to finish.
Local and private organizations are the only source of funding for this project. Swisher’s contributions are a catalyst in the hope of improving social and economic development and safety for the Jacksonville area. The Emerald Trail will be an asset to the local economy by promoting neighborhood revitalization, entrepreneurial opportunities and tourism.
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials estimate the Emerald Trail project alone will create nearly 1,200 jobs. Alongside economic impact, this project alsoincludes plans for environmental remediation lands and the restoration of waterways that travel through the networked trail. Once finished, the Emerald Trail will encompass bioswales for stormwater management and hundreds of new trees and plants to provide habitats for native wildlife.
“Swisher is setting the example for other local companies to support the Emerald Trail,” said Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville Inc. “While we project 90% of the Emerald Trail cost will be paid by public investment, philanthropy is critical to our ability to keep the project moving and deliver a world-class experience. Swisher understands the positive impact the Emerald Trail will have on our community, and we could not be more grateful for their generous support.”
In part of a new strategy emphasized on community engagement, Swisher is focusing its philanthropic efforts on causes that relate to the organization’s core values and priorities. Through programming and partnerships, the 162-year-old company is centered around supporting higher education, the nation’s heroes and families, community health and wellbeing, and community revitalization.
For more information, please visit: https://swisher.com/swisher-pledges-to-donate-1-million-for-community-causes-in-2023-2/.
About Swisher
For the past 162 years, Swisher and its family of iconic brands have been the top choice for adult consumers. The family-owned company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, with a global manufacturing presence in Wheeling, West Virginia, Santiago, Dominican Republic, and Esteli, Nicaragua. In 2024, Swisher will celebrate 100 years of continuous operations in Jacksonville, Florida. Visit https://swisher.com/about/ to learn more.
About Groundwork Jacksonville
Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc., was formed in 2014 by the City of Jacksonville in partnership with Groundwork USA, along with support from the U.S. National Park Service and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Jacksonville is one of 21 Groundwork Trusts across the country focused on environmental equity, resilience and stewardship, and transforming the natural and built environment in low-resource and climate-vulnerable communities. Visit www.groundworkjacksonville.org or follow @GroundworkJax on social for more information.
About CSG Associates in Action
Associates in Action articles highlight CSG Associates’ philanthropic efforts and public-private partnerships throughout the states.