Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team
Minutes
Location and Sponsor: Fontana
Village
Welcome/Introductions
A.
Welcome:
Rick Davis, GREAT Director welcomed everyone and those new to GREAT
introduced themselves.
B.
Call
Meeting to Order:
Claudie Burchfield, GREAT Chairperson, called the meeting to order.
General Items
A.
Approval
of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The
minutes from the January 27, 2011 2010 meeting were approved with a motion by
Alicia Parham and second by Lynn Shields.
B.
Approval
of the Agenda: The
agenda for the March 17, 2011 meeting was approved with a motion from Alicia
Parham and a second by Brenda Artiss.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Committee
Reports
Ø
Economic
Development, Business and Industry—Claudie Burchfield
Claudie Burchfield reported that Graham
County has started an Economic Development Commission and recognized those who
were present that were a part of that effort. She then introduced a
representative from Alcoa Inc who spoke of an upcoming Job Fair and hiring local
contractors for work at the Tapoco Dam.
Ø
Education
and Workforce Development—Chip Carringer
The group was updated on the Dolly
Parton Imagination Library. Since
July 1, 2010—DPIL had received $12,699 to fund this program and has a current
balance of $7,983. Next school year, the program will begin tracking those
entering school who have graduated from the DPIL program.
A survey was completed with NC youth in
grades 7-12. Results from Graham County show that 81% of those children have a
computer in their home and 34% have access to DSL.
Christy Newman from Alcoa, Inc stated
that their 2011 grant cycle was kicking off for the areas of workforce
development and jobs creation.
Rick Parham’s construction class has
completed 90-95% of the Mill Creek House. They have signed an agreement with the
Rural Housing Authority to start another house.
Ø
Tourism
and Mountain Culture—Lynn Shields
Lynn Shields reported that this
committee is continuing to develop a comprehensive tourism plan and provided
announcements about upcoming activities at the Stecoah Valley Center.
Ø
Revitalization
and Infrastructure—Brenda Artiss
Brenda Artiss provided an update on the
Charrette process, stating that Golden Leaf funding had been denied, but the
group was applying for other funding. Rick
Davis informed group of meeting with Brian Rathbone with e-NC Authority after
regular meeting to begin discussion of a broadband deployment plan for Graham
County.
Ø
Recreation,
Natural Resources and Water Quality – Joe Bonnette
Joe Bonnette and Carl Sutter announced
several upcoming recreation events and discussed trails projects including the
Appalachian Trail Community Conference, the Town of Robbinsville Walking Guides,
the Massey Branch complex of trails, and a proposed 100 mile bike trail system.
Joe discussed the need for dump stations for RVs and the need to support and
refine the Recreation Master Plan. Heritage Festival announcements were also
made regarding vendor applications and the need for volunteers.
Lisa Russo discussed the upcoming Clean
Sweep and Joe Bonnette announced that Alcoa had agreed to drop lake levels to
facilitate lake clean-up in the off season.
The recreation committee will meet
again on 4/26.
Ø
Leadership
and Government—Mike Harwood
The leadership and government committee
has applied for a grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity to provide
leadership training for students. Mike also announced the OEO/On Track
partnership for foreclosure prevention and how to access those services.
Ø
Health
and Social—Alicia Parham
Alicia provided an update on the
playground project, including the upcoming Spring Fitness challenge “Cache in
on Fitness.” She also provided an update on the free clinic, Hill Top Health
Care.
B.
GREAT
Financial Report—Lynn Shields
Ø
Lynn
Shields presented the financial report.
C.
County/Regional
Updates
Ø
Sandy
Zimmerman, Congressman Shuler’s Representative and Boyce Deitz provided update on
Congressman Shuler’s work to assist small business.
Ø
Robert
Hawk, NCSU Cooperative Extension presented information about and Aldo Leopold film
showing coming up.
D.
Joyce
Kilmer Memorial Forest 75th Anniversary Celebration
Ø
Lauren
Stull, Deputy District Ranger, USFS, provided a Power Point presentation about
the upcoming 75th anniversary celebration at Joyce Kilmer Memorial
Forest, including events that will be going on, guest speakers, and the need for
volunteers to assist with activities.
E.
Director’s
Report—Rick Davis
Ø
Grant
funding has been received from the Community Foundation of Western North
Carolina for and administrative support position for GREAT. Rick welcomed Joy
Benn, the new administrative staff person, to the meeting.
Ø
Grant
funding has been received to fund a water treatment plant at Fontana Village.
Funding was received from ARC, the State of NC, and local contributions,
totaling $1,715,974.
Ø
Rick
discussed with the group the issue of the proposed alcohol referendum and
discussion of the Board of Directors at their February 11, 2011 meeting.
The consensus of the Board was not to have a focus on this issue.
The Board chose to focus on issues that unify the county not on ones that
divide.
Ø
Rick
provided a handout with the annual meeting issues final ranking. After the Board
of Director’s met, the top 5 were:
1) Farmer’s Market
2) Recreation Complex (tie)
2) High Speed Internet/Broadband Access
(tie)
4) Downtown Revitalization
5) Urgent Care Access
Ø
The
Golden Leaf Community Assistance Initiative grant proposals, totaling $2
million, have been submitted. Proposals were submitted for:
o
Graham
County Schools – Technology and Theater Center, $299,740
o
Town
of Robbinsville – Wastewater Treatment Plant, $1 million
o
Cooperative
Extension – Teaching Kitchen, $47,000
o
Stecoah
Valley Center – Gym Renovations, $1 million
Ø
Rick
reminded the group of the process for new initiatives of GREAT. New initiatives
are to be approved by the committee first, then brought to the Board of
Directors for approval.
F.
Announcements
Ø
GREAT
Meeting – May 19, 2011
Ø
e-NC
meeting after GREAT meeting today for information on broadband deployment
process.