City Leaders Complete Advanced Municipal Training Amid Times of Growth and Progress

By: Vareva Harris, Co-Editor
Vareva@thewoodrufftimes.com

Two Upstate councilmembers complete advanced municipal training as Spartanburg County cities manage rapid growth and transformation responsibly. As Spartanburg County experiences unprecedented growth and transformation, city leaders are preparing to govern responsibly through continued education and training.

Recently, two Upstate councilmembers completed advanced municipal leadership training designed to meet the demands of fast-growing communities.

Leadership Training Amid Rapid Growth
Councilmember William J. Wood of the City of Woodruff and Councilmember Janie C. Salley of the City of Spartanburg have graduated from the Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government.
Graduates received their certificates during the Municipal Association of South Carolina Hometown Legislative Action Day on January 20, 2026.

This achievement comes at a pivotal time. Cities across Spartanburg County, including Woodruff and Spartanburg, are navigating population growth, infrastructure demands, and economic expansion.
For more about local leadership and city initiatives, visit websites for:
City of Woodruff-The City of Woodruff, SC | Where Time is Well Spent
City of Spartanburg-Spartanburg, SC | Official Website

Advanced Training for Effective Governance
The Advanced Municipal Elected Officials Institute is offered exclusively to graduates of the Municipal Elected Officials (MEO) Institute. Created in 2014, the Advanced Institute builds on foundational training and focuses on real-world governance challenges.

“The Advanced MEO Institute allows mayors and councilmembers to explore in depth many governance topics that can help them to be more effective leaders for their cities and towns,” said Urica Floyd, staff associate for training and learning solutions with the Municipal Association.

In other words, the program equips leaders to make informed decisions as their communities grow and change.

Learn more about municipal training programs at the website for the Municipal Association of South Carolina: MASC

Courses Focused on Responsible Growth
To graduate, officials must complete at least four of six advanced courses. Topics include:
*Public safety
*Budgeting and finance
*Utilities and infrastructure
*Advocacy
*Economic development
*Governance and ethics

These subjects directly support responsible growth, especially in high-growth areas like Spartanburg County.

Learning From Experts Nationwide
The Advanced MEO Institute draws faculty from across South Carolina and the nation. Instructors include experienced local government leaders, state officials, and college and university faculty.
As a result, participants benefit from both local insight and national best practices.

A Longstanding Commitment to Education
Established in 1986, the MEO Institute is a longstanding program of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. It provides municipal officials with a strong foundation in how city governments operate.

Today, that foundation—and continued advanced training—is more important than ever as Spartanburg County cities adapt to rapid growth while protecting quality of life for residents.