In 2005, over 300 leaders from across South Carolina’s Upstate attended a conference called “Upstate Together: Growing by Choice or Chance?”. From this conference, a steering committee of approximately 40 leaders from the region was created under the same name. Upstate Together partnered with the Urban Land Institute and received support from many communities, businesses, and leaders to develop and hold a day-long regional planning exercise called the Upstate Reality Check, with the intention of developing a Shared Upstate Growth Vision. In order to pursue the resulting Growth Vision and related areas for collaboration, Upstate Together was incorporated as a non-profit in 2009 and renamed Ten at the Top (abbreviated as TATT).

 Since its founding, Ten at the Top has partnered with hundreds of businesses, organizations, and community stakeholders to work collaboratively to address challenges that span the region. The initial Growth Vision identified five driver areas: Human Potential, Enconomic & Entrepreneurial Vitality, Sustainable Growth, Natural Beauty & Resources, and Community Vibrancy.