Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes

November 18, 2010

Location:  Meadow Branch Fire Department

Sponsor:  Alcoa, Inc.

Welcome/Introductions

A.      Welcome:  Rick Davis, GREAT Director welcomed everyone and introduced Christy Newman from Alcoa, Inc.  who, in turn, recognized Alcoa representatives present at the meeting.  Mark Odom, an Alcoa supervisor gave a brief update on revitalization of Tapoco Dam.

B.     Call Meeting to Order:  Claudie Burchfield, GREAT Chairperson, called the meeting to order and recognized newly elected Graham County Commissioners Connie Orr and Mike Edwards and thanked them for attending the GREAT Meeting.  The ladies who prepared the delicious meal were also recognized as well as the Appalachian Women Entrepreneurs.

General Items

A.      Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:  The minutes from the September 23, 2010 meeting were approved with a motion by Beverly Whitehead and second by Lynn Shields.

B.     Approval of the Agenda:  The agenda for the November 18, 2010 meeting was approved with a motion from Lynn Shields and a second by Beverly Whitehead.

Reports/Discussion Items

A.      Committee Reports

Ø      Economic Development, Business and Industry—Claudie Burchfield

An update on NC Step and the Chamber of Commerce was given by Brenda Artiss.  Claudie Burchfield discussed the Golden Leaf process and spoke of the newly elected Economic Development Board.  She briefly reported statistics from the survey conducted during the summer.

Ø      Education and Workforce Development—Rhonda Anderson

Rhonda Anderson gave an update on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library enrollment and stated that letters of support have been sent to last year’s contributors as well as those who did not contribute.  As of July 1, 2010—DPIL had collected $6,707 to fund this program. 

Rhonda also reported that the 2^nd Annual Fall Festival was a huge success as well as the annual GEAR Up College/Career Fair held at Robbinsville High School on November 8.  Congressman Heath Shuler was the keynote speaker at this event.  Approximately 45 colleges and business/industry representatives were present. 

An update on Project ESTEME grant funds being used for STEM activities was given.  This $28,050 grant is being used to fund 6, 7, 8 Grade SciGirls who are traveling to the PARI Institute in Rosman to participate in science activities  on a monthly basis and the 9^th Grade GeoGirls who are working with the National Park Service on a salamander project.  Both groups have a trip planned for December 8 to Oak Ridge.

Ann Eck spoke about a grant that funds “Ribbons of Hope” at the elementary school.  “Ribbons of Hope” currently provides basic skills and needs assistance to approximately 24 identified students.

Superintendent, Chip Carringer updated the group on “Race to the Top” funding and said a portion of these funds will be used to fund a technology facilitator for the Graham County School system over the next 3 years.

Ø      Tourism and Mountain Culture—Lynn Shields

Lynn Shields reported that this committee has added a new section to the Comprehensive Tourism Plan entitled “Off Season Activities.”  A flyer has been distributed throughout the county asking for suggestions on different types of activities to be included in this new section.

Ø      Revitalization and Infrastructure—Rick Davis

Brenda Artiss gave a brief report on NC Step.  She said committee members are attending sessions and visiting various entities across the state to learn more about revitalization and infrastructure.  She also referenced the $3 million allocated for a Graham County Waste Water Treatment Facility.

Ø      Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality

Joe Bonnette spoke about the 100^th Anniversary of the Joyce Kilmer National Forest.  Lauren Stull gave an excellent presentation of the “Joyce Kilmer Hemlock Project” and provided a handout about the insect that has killed many hemlocks in the Joyce Kilmer area.

Ø      Leadership and Government—Mike Harwood

Mike Harwood said this group had met with Graham County Manager, Mickey Duvall and Graham County Planner, Josh Carpenter to get a better understanding of how things work in county government and how the GREAT Leadership and Government Committee might work with these county officials for the betterment of Graham County.

Ø      Health and Social—Alicia Parham

Rick Davis briefly spoke about the Comprehensive Recreation Plan and will send the survey to all contacts.

B.      GREAT Financial Report—Lynn Shields

Ø      Lynn Shields presented the financial report.

C.      County/Regional Updates

Ø      Cindy Messer, Department of Commerce said that hopefully monies are forthcoming for small business in the near future

Ø      John Mitchell, Senator Burr’s Representative said the Senator’s office wanted to hear from the Graham County people

Ø      Sandy Zimmerman, Congressman Shuler’s Representative spoke of forthcoming funds for small business and thanked Graham County citizens for their support in the November election

Ø      New Graham County Commissioners, Connie Orr & Mike Edwards expressed appreciation for voter support and shared their eagerness to be a part of the GREAT organization

Ø      Ella Kliger, MANNA Food Bank said that 195,000 lbs. of food came to the Graham County Food Pantry from the MANNA Food Bank last year.  She said the Food Bank would like to coach the county in ways to gain funds from various agencies.  She told the group that $1 can buy 5 lbs. of food and that food drives are a good resource, but MANNA can buy more with money.

Ø      Tabitha Myler, Chamber of Commerce announced chamber meetings are held every second Tuesday of each month at the EMS Building at 5:30 p.m. and invited all interested parties to attend.  She also said the Chamber of Commerce now has a Facebook page with approximately 40 members.

D.     Guest Speaker—Ken Maxwell, Frontier Communications

Ø      Mr. Maxwell spoke of his excitement to be in western North Carolina and expressed that Frontier’s primary market is rural America and that Frontier’s workforce is 100% American.  Mr. Maxwell also introduced Nick Fouts, Frontier’s local leadership.

E.      Director’s Report—Rick Davis

Ø      Rick Davis referenced Duke Energy’s $2,000 donation for general support for the GREAT organization as well as a $7,000 grant awarded for GREAT administrative support by a CFWNC Opportunity Grant.  He also spoke about a potential $300,000 Kate B. Reynolds grant which has been applied for but not yet granted.  This grant would allow Graham County Schools to increase mental health services available at the elementary school level. 

F.       Announcements

Ø      A tour of the Cheoah Power House was announced immediately following the adjournment of the meeting.

Ø      The annual GREAT meeting will be held in January 2011.  A specific date, time and location will be forthcoming.