Facing Facts: A Study of Issues that Shape Our Region

Facing Facts is a partnership of Central Carolina Community Foundation, Central Midlands Council of Governments, Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Sisters of Charity Foundation and United Way of the Midlands. These five entities were responsible for providing oversight for the project. However, numerous other stakeholders and local experts were involved in the process through a committee structure.

The purpose of Facing Facts is to create a system by which the Midlands community may begin to biannually measure its progress on advancing the quality of life in the area, assessing community needs, determining which programs are effective, and prioritizing how and when needs should be addressed. The project focus is on Richland and Lexington counties. In measuring the success of local programs through analyzing current statistical information, the project will incorporate community members perceptions of the quality of life in the Midlands as presented by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in their report Listening and Learning (March, 2001).