And now, they have a new role model.

Friday, the group met for "Think Tank 20," a forum designed to brainstorm ideas to move the city forward.

The leaders are now looking to Greenville, S.C. -- a city of similar size and structure -- which has a downtown that has transformed leaps and bounds during the past 30 years.

Greenville's Economic Development Director, Nancy Whitworth, met with the group and says Charleston reminds her a lot of her hometown.

"It's a beautiful city and I think (Charleston has) a lot of assets," she said. "I think thee key is pulling all those assets together and linking time and really doing some infield development and really being strategic about really tightening it up."

Charleston leaders said the Capitol City has changed in big ways during the past several years and they are optimistic the city can follow Greenville's lead.