Graham
Revitalization Economic
Action Team
Minutes
Location:
Phillips and Jordan Headquarters
Welcome/Introductions
A.
Sponsors:
Mike Harwood, Phillips & Jordan,
Inc.
B.
Call Meeting to Order: Yvette
Carringer, GREAT Vice Chairperson, called the meeting to order at 12:00 PM, then
welcomed and thanked everyone for attending and participating in the meeting.
She also recognized the sponsor representative and thanked them for the
wonderful meal and for sponsoring the meeting.
She then recognized Rick Davis, Executive Director of GREAT to facilitate
the meeting.
General
Items
A.
Approval
of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The minutes from the July 8, 2010 meeting were
approved with a motion by Dick Evans and second by Carol Sutton.
B.
Approval
of the Agenda:
The agenda was approved on a motion by Alicia Parham and second by Lynn
Shields.
Reports/Discussion
Items
A.
Committee Reports
Ø
Economic
Development, Business and Industry – Tabitha Myler/Cheri Brantley
The
Economic Development Committee provided and update on the Chamber of Commerce
project. The Chamber of Commerce is now established, but is working on
organizational tasks. No services are being provided yet, but interested
business owners were invited to join for a $25 membership fee. The group meets
the second Tuesday of every month at the EMS building at 5:30 pm. The contact
person is Tabitha Myler (mylert@hotmail.com).
Ø
Education
and Workforce Development –Rhonda Anderson
Rhonda
stated that the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is in need of donations.
A formal presentation of the Imagination Library will be done later in
the meeting by Jim and Donna Mize, project leaders. Other updates include:
·
¼
of drywall is complete on the Construction Technology House project. The project
should be complete in December 2010 or January 2011. The Rural Development
Authority has assigned a 2nd lot for construction of another house.
Hard hats and safety glasses were donated to the program by Alcoa.
$3,000 of building materials was donated by A4.
·
Newspapers
are being donated to the Principles of Business class.
·
GREAT
submitted a Kate B Reynolds grant application for expansion of Mental Health
Services in the school.
·
RMS/RHS
will complete a survey related to Entrepreneurship in the next two weeks.
·
The
Family Fall Festival will be at Graham County Schools on Saturday, 10/30/2010
from 6-8pm. Anyone interested in providing a booth with safe activities should
contact Angie Knight at 479-9820.
Ø
Tourism
and Mountain Culture – Lynn Shields
The
committee has not met and will not meet until the peak travel and tourism season
has ended. An invitation was extended for all present to participate in the
Golden Leaf Foundation meeting 10/21/2010 at the RHS auditorium at 4pm.
Ø
Revitalization
and Infrastructure – Rick Davis
Brenda
Artiss provided an update on NC STEP activities. The NC STEP Leadership Team has
been formed and meets the 3rd
Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm.
The kick-off event has approximately 350 attendees. The Revitalization and
Infrastructure Committee is preparing to present a planning grant for downtown
Robbinsville.
Ø
Recreation,
Natural Resources and Water Quality
Four
different projects were discussed by the Recreation committee.
·
Yuletide
Recycling Project – Graham Help Foundation has donated $2500 to the Yuletide
Helpers. Alcoa donated recycling containers for the Hosanna Church to use to
collect aluminum cans. Cans will be sold to benefit the Yuletide Helpers
Program. A can crusher is needed.
·
Jason
Sawyer discussed renovation of the baseball and softball fields at Phillips and
Jordan. This project is in the beginning stages and Jason is seeking ideas for
fundraisers as well as assistance with the project.
·
Arleen
Higgins reported that the 4th Clean Sweep will be held Saturday,
9/25. 6 people have already picked up 47 bags of garbage. Supplies are available
today for those interested in helping. This will be Arleen’s last Clean Sweep
event. Lisa Russo will be taking over the Clean Sweep project for Spring, 2011.
·
Lauren
Stull with the USFS discussed two projects. The Partners of Joyce Kilmer
Slickrock Wilderness will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of the
the dedication of Joyce Kilmer. Joyce Kilmer has approximately 35,000 visitors
per year and has some safety issues that need to be taken care of. Hemlock trees
in danger of falling on the trail will be removed using special techniques to
maintain the wilderness. Removal begins 11/1/10 and Joyce Kilmer will be closed
for 2 weeks. Lauren also discussed the re-use of the area where the old USFS
building was on Massey Branch Road. A meeting will be set up next month to
discuss uses for this area for recreation purposes.
Ø
Leadership
and Government – Mike Harwood
The
committee had its first meeting since Mike Harwood became committee chair. The
re-worked the goals of the committee at that meeting and they were presented to
the group today. A motion was made by Mike Harwood to accept the new goals and
it was seconded by Dave Dodson.
Ø
Health
and Social – Alicia Parham
Alicia
Parham announced that they playground equipment installation was complete and
discussed plans for fencing, public restrooms, and tables/benches for the
pavilion. The group was asked to make donations for tables and benches as grant
funds will not cover these purchases. Alicia recognized all who helped and
extended her appreciation for their dedication to this project. A slide show of
picture from the playground work days was played during the GREAT meeting. Flu
Shot availability at the Graham County Health Department was also discussed.
B.
G.R.E.A.T. Financial Report – Lynn Shields
Lynn
Shields presented the financial report (attached).
C.
County/Regional Updates
Ø
Patricia
Costello, Small Business & Technology Development Center, WCU discussed
the Biz Boost Program
Ø
Robert
Hawk, Community Development and Natural Resources, NCSU Cooperative Extension,
Haywood County discussed
Community Voices leadership development training being offered by NCSU
Cooperative Extension on September 28th and 29th in Swain
County.
Ø
Sandy
Zimmerman, Representative, Congressman Shuler’s Office
Sandy
Zimmerman gave a report for Congressman Shuler’s office.
Congressman Shuler is working on industry incentives to encourage
businesses to be back in the USA. She also reported on the Job Fair held as a
partnership with TCCC and Congressman Shuler’s office. 1200 people attended
and 15 have been place in jobs so far. She congratulated the Chamber of Commerce
on their recent re-formation.
D.
Imagination Library Project Update – Jim and Donna Mize
The
Dolly Parton Imagination Library is currently working on fundraising efforts.
The program needs $9,000-$12,000 annually to operate and currently has $312.00.
Snowbird Team Ministries donated $500 today and Graham Help donated $500 today.
E.
Director’s Report
The
GREAT website was presented to the group by Rick and is now up and running. The
next Golden Leaf Meeting will be 10/21 at 4pm at RHS Auditorium. Everyone was
encouraged to attend. Brushy Fork Annual Institute had 4 participants this year
from GREAT.
F.
Announcements
Ø
GREAT
Meeting November 18, 12 noon, Hosted by Alcoa at Meadow Branch Fire Dept.