2013 Report to the Public

Attached is a complete list of accomplishments for GREAT.  Highlights of the year include:

·        Collaboration with Graham County Schools to secure a four year grant from NCDPI to provide after school programs at four sites in Graham County;

·        Funding from Marshall University to the Graham County Diabetes Coalition for prevention and diabetes management activities;

·        Development of  the Lake Santeetlah Bike Trail in conjunction with the USFS and Graham County government;

·        NCDENR funding to support recycling efforts in Graham County;

·        Collaboration with Graham County Schools to provide mental health services for Graham County Schools’ students;

·        Continuation of the Imagination Library Project for Graham County children;

·        Completion and presentation of the Town of Robbinsville Pedestrian Connectivity document to the public;

·        Implementation of US 129 Rodney Orr Bypass Streetscape Plan to include street and streetscape improvements;

·        Organization support from Z. Smith Reynolds and Duke Energy foundations.

Thank you for your involvement with GREAT and support of its activities to improve the quality of life for Graham County citizens.

Sincerely,

Rick Davis                

Rick Davis, Executive Director

Claudie Burchfield

Claudie Burchfield, GREAT President

Volunteer Service by GREAT Board of Directors –the GREAT Board of Directors have provided 1,787 hours of volunteer service to the organization which equates to $34,114 using the NC volunteer hourly rate

ARC/NC REAL Grant – a three county project with NC REAL to provide entrepreneurial activities for students in Graham, Clay and Cherokee counties in the amount of $100,000. Funding in the amount of $33,333 will be available for Graham County Schools.

NCDOT Sidewalk/Bridge Project – a NCDOT project in the amount of $140,000 for construction of a sidewalk and bridge connecting RHS/RMS campus with Highway 143. This project was identified as a high priority by Revitalization/NC STEP committee.

21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant – a four year grant from NCDPI to provide after school programs at four sites in Graham County - RES, RMS, RHS and SVC.  Total award was for $1,360,000 (Year 1 - $400,000; Year 2 - $400,000; Year 3 - $320,000; Year 4 – $240,000)

Imagination Library Project – funding in the amount of $4,918 for 2013 from individuals and businesses to provide books for birth to five year old children each month

Community Foundation of NC – grant in the amount of $520 to fund the Imagination Library project

Office of Economic Opportunity/Catholic Social Services Grant – a $4,000 Growing Opportunities grant to fund the Imagination Library project

The Winston-Salem Foundation – grant funding in the amount of $71,000 to provide mental health services to Graham County Schools’ students on recommendation of Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.

DENR Recycling Grants – first grant total $20,595 ($17,071 State funds and $3,524 match) for recycling center at Fontana. The funds will be used to purchase additional recycling bins, expand services to the campground and provide education materials for Resort guests. In addition, another grant for Graham County in the amount of $30,910 ($24,728 state funds and $6,182 local match). The funds will be used for the recycling transfer station for the county.

Santeetlah Bike Trail Project – grant funding in the amount of $5,860 from Community Transformation Grant project to provide signage for the bike trail. In conjunction with the USFS and Graham County government, two trail clearing events to finish the work on the Lake Santeetlah bike trail were conducted. The trail should be operational by early spring 2014.

The Partners of Joyce Kilmer – provided funding in the amount of $2,500 for a RHS summer student employee to work on the Cheoah Ranger District during 2013 summer.

Clean Sweep – coordinated two county-wide "clean sweep" roadside litter clean up events. Collected at total of 208 bags of litter. Two Lake Santeetlah litter clean up events. Collected 1000 pounds at one event and 32 bags of litter at 2nd event.

County-wide recycling program – fully implemented with a Year to Date collection of almost 100 tons of recyclable material.

Frontier Project – additional high speed internet/DSL service provided in Tuskeegee and Panther Creek area as a result of grant from Connect America Fund in the amount of $227,775

ARC Laptop Program – a collaborative project with Graham County Schools and Graham County Government funded by ARC in the amount of $130,103 to provide laptop computers to students in grades 7-12

Region A Commission: Toolbox Implementation Fund – second round of funding in the amount of $14,286 including matching funds from Appalachian Regional Commission to develop plans for GCS greenway component

Alcoa Foundation – grant in the amount of $10,000 to help fund construction of GCS greenway component

US 129 Rodney Orr Bypass Streetscape Plan – completion of a GREAT- initiated and GREAT-directed project that totaled over $600,000.  Project partners included the Town of Robbinsville, the NC Department of Transportation, the NC Rural Economic Development Center, the Southwestern Commission and Kostelec Planning.  With over three years in the formation, the project included street and streetscape improvements including sitting areas, landscaping, paving, traffic islands, new crosswalks including some with safety devices for the visually impaired.

Visitor Tourism Project – The GREAT Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee partnered with Eastern Carolina University’s Center for Sustainable Tourism to conduct the first Visitor Profile Study in the county. The data collected will be used by the GREAT Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee and partners to develop and implement a strategic tourism plan for Graham County.

Shape Note Singing Convention - The GREAT Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee partnered with the Proctor Revival Project for an old-time singing convention with shaped note singing, music from local groups and a play based on the life of Fanny Crosby, a blind hymn writer.

EBCI Grants/Cherokee Preservation Foundation :

• Native Women Project – grant funds in the amount of $13,670 to document and describe traditional Cherokee women’s knowledge associated with life cycle practices

• Fort Montgomery Project – grant funds in the amount of $7,700 for archeological survey of Fort Montgomery

Revised GREAT Strategic Plan – a product of a $7,500 Capacity Building grant from CFWNC in collaboration with WNC Non-Profit Pathways

Duke Energy Foundation – funding for organization capacity building - $5,000 

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – funding for general support activities of GREAT - $30,000