Minutes of G.R.E.A.T. Meeting held September 18, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Rick Davis.  Minutes of the July 18, 2008 meeting were accepted as presented motion by Lynn Shields, 2^nd Claudie Burchfield.  The agenda for meeting was presented and a motion to accept as read was made by Teresa Garland, 2^nd Claudie Burchfield.

Committee Reports were presented as follows:

Economic Development, Business and Industry:

The committee will meet on October 16, 2008.  They intend to pursue a relationship with keeping Stanley Furniture and work with them thru GREAT to also help provide housing for employees.  Pursuing a resource guide in a countywide involvement will also be a priority.  The Wheels Thru Time contact Claudie Burchfield made was not a possibility and the idea was closed.

Education and Workforce Development:

Report by Rick Davis a lot of the strategies in their plan have already been implemented such as:

Drop out intervention and continuing education,  Amber Cody Davis is working with the Gear Up Program, Rick Parham discussed construction technology and working with affordable housing to implement ethics, safety, work strategies, and construction techniques, along with organization.  The Graham County School system is reviewing the contract from Affordable Housing to allow the students to be involved in building a home.

Tourism and Mountain Culture:

Presented by Lynn Shields, they have contacted Travel & Tourism to work with them, reviewed the Proctor goals, worked with the museum committee, pinpointed historical sites, would like to do a map of Graham County that is more detailed to include heritage, do a brochure of the county, and pursue the birding trails initiative.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Plan was discussed and it includes several of the goals for the committee. 

Coley Phillips presented a proposal from Smokey Mountain Native Plants Association to include developing brand name and packaging for value-added products under the Agritourism section of the Graham County Heritage Plan.

Judy Carpenter from Clementine Cove did an update presentation for a Williamsburg Community in the planning stages as a memorial for the 6000 people who gave up homes in Proctor. 

Revitalization and Infrastructure: No report

Recreation and Natural Resources:

Report was done by Michael Wiggins and Tim Garrett with RC&D Council.  The Land Trust of the Little Tennessee has purchased 900 acres in Graham County.  Clean Water Management Trust Fund is concentrating on Storm Water Initiatives; proposal was made for a 3year clear water construction courses to teach BMP managements they would like to partner with GREAT on a contractor course to cover the requirements with contractors.

Leadership and Government:

Teresa Garland presented the report.  The objectives pursued were the Knights of the Roundtable leadership training are in place and moving forward.  We discussed a guide to include volunteer options and it was agreed one guide for the entire county would be pursued as discussed with the economic development committee.

Health and Social:

Alicia Parham presented the report.  Community Health Assessments will be done.  The Clean Water Management Grant for on site sewer systems will be followed up.  The Healthy Carolinians Walk to Bethlehem will involve county wide participation and begins on September 25, 2008.  Carol Roundtree will begin the Diabetes support group on October 04, 2008.

Financial Reports were presented by Lynn Shields, and accepted as read.

Lavina West presented for the museum committee they have final business plans for the Asheville office to review.  Their next meeting will be September 22, 2008.

Director Rick Davis report included a prepared grant proposal of $15000 for Community Assistance Programs.   He attended the NC Summit which high speed internet for the county was discussed.  Rick met with the Graham County Commissioners and updated them on GREAT.

Business:

A nomination was made that Rhonda Anderson will replace Rick Davis in Education and Workforce Development, motion by Claudie Burchfield and 2^nd by Alicia Parham.

A motion was made by Lynn Shields that Michael Wiggins will serve remainder of the year as Vice Chairman of GREAT, 2^nd by Pam Schaffer.

A motion was made by Claudie Burchfield that the approval of the Smoky Mountain Native Plants Association proposal be accepted with change of the verbiage to include niche marketing by SMNPA and others in our area, 2^nd by Michael Wiggins.

A motion was made by Michael Wiggins to accept the proposal he presented and 2^nd was by Alicia Parham.

The next meeting will be November 20, 2008 at 12 noon.  Rick Davis adjourned the meeting at 1:35 p.m.