Report to the Public

July 01, 2016 – June 30, 2017

    FY2017 was a GREAT year for the organization. General membership and agency involvement as partners of the organization continues to increase. The year has resulted in several major projects being completed. Committee and partner activities have resulted in almost $1.1 million dollars ($1,099,982) being provided to support partner and organization initiatives for Graham County citizens. The organization continues to keep operating expenses at a very low percentage.

Below is a comprehensive list of accomplishments for GREAT. Highlights of the year include:

Completion of the 21^{st Century Community Learning Centers grant from NC Department of Public Instruction to provide after school programs at four sites in Graham County in collaboration with Graham County Schools;}

Completion of the Graham County Asset Map Project highlighting businesses, attractions and natural assets of the county through a focus on three commerce loops;

Completion of the Appalachian Region Commission Telecom Project designed to establish infrastructure for the deployment of high speed telecommunications in Tapoco and Meadow Branch communities;

Completion of the Graham County Destination Branding and Identity Project resulting in the development of a logo and branding identity for Graham County;

Volunteer time to GREAT and its activities by Directors and partner organizations including USFS, Partners of Joyce Kilmer and Benton-MacKaye amounted to 7,839 hours which equated to $180,218;

Continuation of the Imagination Library Project for Graham County children;

Collaboration with MANNA FoodBank and Graham County Food Distribution Project to address food insecurity issues; and

Completion of the Graham County Leadership Project that provided training in the areas of leadership style determination, communication skills, conflict resolution, facilitation skills and the decision making process.

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

Volunteer Service by GREAT Board of Directors –the GREAT Board of Directors have provided 900 hours of volunteer service to the organization which equates to $20,691 using the NC volunteer hourly rate of $22.99 per hour.

21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant ^{– completion of the 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 $4,965 from individuals and businesses to provide books for birth to five year old children each month. In addition, $4,000 was received from the Catholic Charities Growing Opportunities Small Grant awards.

Volunteer Activities – in collaboration with the Partners of Joyce Kilmer, member organizations and the USFS several volunteer activities were conducted including renovation of Joyce Kilmer Memorial picnic area, trail bridge construction, guided hikes, RHS Sweetwater Creek Restoration project, and clearing vegetation and trees of scenic overlooks. A total of 1,958 volunteer hours valued at $44,670 was contributed during FY2016.

Trail Projects – The Benton-MacKaye Trail Association provided 581 hours of volunteer service which equates to $13,357 using the NC volunteer hourly rate of $22.99 per hour. The Partners of Joyce Kilmer provided 4,400 hours of volunteer service which equates to $101,156 using the NC volunteer hourly rate of $22.99 per hour. Trail maintenance activities were hampered by record setting drought during the summer of 2016 and followed by devastating wild fires in the fall. Most trail maintenance is aimed at removal of blockages as a result of trees or slides. Installation of directional signs at rail junctions has had a major effect in reducing the number of lost or confused hikes.

Clean Sweep – coordinated two county-wide "clean sweep" roadside litter clean up events. Collected a total of 216 bags of litter.

Graham County Asset Map Project –The Graham County Asset Map project was completed resulting in a map highlighting three commerce loops and the natural assets in Graham County. Sponsors providing $15,000 for the project included Duke Energy, Graham County T&T, Town of Lake Santeetlah, Fontana Dam TDA, Tapoco Lodge, Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, Town of Robbinsville, Cherokee Reality, Stecoah Valley Center, and United States Forest Service. Total

United States Forest Service Partnership – recipient of a FY16 Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Grant for $100,000 to upgrade the Tsali Campground and trails. Grant funds will provide maintenance for both equestrian and mountain bike trails within the Tsali Recreation Area; improve trail sustainability, increasing safety, and create two new easy-rated, family-friendly loop trail experiences.

Appalachian Region Commission Telecom Project – completion of the $225,000 project designed to establish infrastructure for the deployment of high speed telecommunications in Tapoco and Meadow Branch communities.

Region A Broadband Initiative – GREAT is collaborating with the Southwestern Commission in an effort to conduct a regional analysis of broadband needs. Southwestern Commission staff and consultants will work with the GREAT Broadband Committee to conduct the assessment for Graham County.

CCC Trail Project – The Partners of Joyce Kilmer, the GREAT NRRWQ Committee and the US Forest Service have partnered to rehabilitate the historic Civilian Conservation Corp camp paved trail and overlook across from the Cheoah District Office. Volunteers have worked cleaning and patching the .25 mile paved trail and rehabilitation of the overlook area. The Partners of Joyce Kilmer has contributed $1000 and GREAT has contributed $500 to the effort. Plans are to pursue a 2018 Recreational Trails Project grant to repave entire trail.

Food Insecurity – collaboration with MANNA FoodBank and the Graham County Fellowship Distribution (United Methodist, Grace Fellowship and Stecoah Baptist) to provide access to food to address local food insecurity issues. The project served approximately 750 Graham County families during the reporting period.

Stecoah Valley Center Conceptual Master Plan and Site Design Project – progress continues on the implementation of the SVC Master Plan as a result of a grant award received by GREAT from the NCFS Urban and Community Forest Program. The Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) located at Virginia Tech worked with a stakeholders committee and the community through community workshops to develop an overall master plan for the Stecoah Valley Center ten (10) acre site. This plan has provided conceptual guidelines for several additional SVC projects including the Cherokee Courtyard Project, enhancements to the fitness trail and wind garden area and completion of the playground area restroom.

NC Department of Health and Human Services – collaboration with Graham County Health Department and Graham County Schools to secure funding for implementation of an evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program. Project REACH, a five year grant (July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2020) with the NCDHHS Office of Adolescent Health in the amount of $999,999 annually for three identified counties. Graham County Health Department will receive $147,500 each year for five years.

Appalachian Region Commission Tourism Strategic Plan Implementation Project – completion of the Graham County Destination Branding and Identity Project as a result of funding in the amount of $20,000 from ARC with $5,000 cash/in-kind match. The project consultants, Arnett-Muldrow Associates, developed a logo and branding identity for Graham County. In addition, the logo and resources are available to businesses and partners to use in promotion activities. The Town of Robbinsville and GREAT purchased twenty (20) banners to be placed within the town limits promoting Graham County assets.

Graham County Leadership Project – completion of project funded by Region A Commission through Opt-In Implementation Fund in the amount of $4,200. In collaboration with TriCounty Community College and the NC Extension Service three leadership sessions were conducted providing training in the areas of leadership style determination, communication skills, conflict resolution, facilitation skills and the decision making process. A cumulative total of seventy-six (76) community members, RHS teachers, and RHS Student Council Ambassadors participated in the three leadership training sessions.

Cherokee Preservation Foundation – RHS Sweetwater Creek Restoration and Education Project – completion of a grant in the amount of $9,900 designed to initiate a "living laboratory" along the RHS Greenway. The project began a multi-year plan for management of invasive plants, rivercane management and harvesting and biological monitoring of Sweetwater Creek. The project was a partnership with GREAT, Graham County Schools, MainSpring Conservation and Southern Appalachian Raptor Research.

In addition, two interpretive signs were developed and displayed on the greenway depicting uses of river cane and its ecological significance.

Nourishing North Carolina Grant – grant funds in the amount of $3,100 will be used in collaboration with the Graham County Health Department and the Emergency Food Pantry to distribute monthly vouchers to eligible Graham County residents to be used in selecting and picking fruits and vegetables of their choice at Stoney Hollow Farm As an incentive for participants to try new fruits and vegetables, small class cooking instruction for some of the more exotic items will be provided.

Little Library Project – a donation of $800 by Duke Energy to construct and install four library exchange boxes in designated locations in Graham County. Anyone can take a book or share a book at the library. The major goal of the project is to improve the reading achievement of children and adults by increasing their access to books.

CFWNC – People in Need Grant – funding in the amount of $12,000 for general support of the GREAT organization

Duke Energy Foundation – funding in the amount of $3,000 for the Asset Map Project and $3,500 for Wayfinding Signage Project.

Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation – funding in the amount of $35,000 for general support of the GREAT organization