Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team
Minutes
Location and Sponsor: Stecoah
Valley Center, Catholic Social Services Office of Economic Opportunity
Welcome/Introductions
A.
Welcome:
Claudie Burchfield, Chairperson of the GREAT Board of Directors
welcomed everyone, recognized sponsors, and gave those new to GREAT the
opportunity to introduce themselves.
General Items
A.
Approval
of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The
minutes from the March 17, 2011 meeting were approved with a motion by Beverly
Whitehead and second by Alicia Parham.
B.
Approval
of the Agenda: The
agenda for the May 26, 2011 meeting was approved with a motion from Alicia
Parham and a second by Beverly Whitehead.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Committee
Reports
Ø
Economic
Development, Business and Industry—Claudie Burchfield
Claudie
Burchfield gave the group information about the Office of Economic
Opportunity’s Financial Literacy Program and about their partnership with
OnTrack Financial Counseling to provide the NC Foreclosure Prevention Program. The Foreclosure Prevention Program offers 0% loans of up to
$36,000 over 36 years. It is also a
forgiveness program, in which loans are forgiven if certain criteria are met by
the borrowers.
The Economic Development Committee will also be working with the Graham
Star Newspaper to promote Stanley Furniture Company. Stanley Furniture Company
has more than 400 employees from Graham County and the surrounding counties.
Claudie spoke of the importance of promoting Stanley Furniture to sustain the
local economy.
Claudie also announced that Josh Carpenter was no longer working as the
Graham County Planner and had taken a position as Director of Economic
Development in Cherokee County.
Ø
Education
and Workforce Development—Rhonda Anderson
The
group was updated on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
Since July 1, 2010—DPIL had received $12,974.16 to fund this program. A
fundraiser will be held at the Joyce Kilmer 75th anniversary
celebration for the DPIL. Volunteers are needed to bake sweets and to work the
booth. Jim Mize gave an overview of
the DPIL for those who were new to GREAT. He stated that enrollment was holding
steady at 300 enrollees, but that the goal was 400 enrollees. He asked the group
for suggestions on how to reach the 0-2 year old demographic.
Rick
Parham’s construction class has the Mill Creek House. On open house was held
on April 22nd and Rhonda invited everyone to drive by and look at the
house if they were not able to attend the open house.
An
application has been submitted to the Alcoa Foundation through GREAT to continue
the STEM program through next school year, with more focus on classroom
activities and less on travel.
Ø
Tourism
and Mountain Culture—Dave Dobson
Dave
Dobson gave an overview of this committees last meeting on the Eco-Tourism
initiative. Eve Rogers provide the Tourism and Mountain Culture committee with a
presentation on Eco-Tourism and what it would take to develop Eco-Tourism in
Graham County. Lack of a recycling program in Graham County is an issue that the
committee feels needs to be addressed for Eco-Tourism to come to fruition.
Dave visited the Macon County recycling program and learned that Macon
County had $385,000 in revenue last year from recyclables and that the
possibility. A subcommittee is being formed to pursue this issue. Dave passed
around a sign-up sheet for those who wanted to serve on the recycling
subcommittee.
Ø
Revitalization
and Infrastructure—Brenda Artiss
Brenda
spoke of a joint-ownership program that the Town of Robbinsville has in which an
individual can renovate a building and pay taxes on the building to gain full
ownership.
Brenda
also stressed to the group that the Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee
serves all of Graham County, not just the Town of Robbinsville.
Rick
Davis introduced several attendees that are working with GREAT to increase
Broadband access in Graham County. A proposal has been submitted to ARC to
assess Broadband feasibility in Graham County. The Graham County Economic
Development Commission will be supporting this grant with matching funds.
Ø
Recreation,
Natural Resources and Water Quality – Rick Davis
Rick
Davis presented the group with a revised strategy sheet for the Recreation,
Natural Resources, and Water Quality committee. This committee has been having
conversations with the Little Tennessee watershed on the preservation of natural
resources. A motion was made by Beverly Whitehead to accept the revisions to
this committee’s strategies. The motion was seconded by Dave Artiss.
Rick
gave a report on the Spring 2011 Clean Sweep. This spring, 86 bags of roadside
litter were collected over a period of 2 weeks. Volunteers were recognized.
Jason
Sawyer gave a report on Graham County Recreation activities, including a 400%
increase in participation in the baseball/softball programs over the past 4
years. Soccer season is getting started and the county pool is open for the
summer. Jason announced the availability of swimming lessons, hiring of a new
swim coach for this season, and plans for “Flick and Float” which is a
partnership between the Graham County Library and Graham County Pool to project
movies over the pool and customers can float around the pool and watch the
movie.
Ø
Leadership
and Government—Rick Davis
This
committee has submitted a grant proposal to the Office of Economic Opportunity
to provide leadership training to 30 people in Graham County. The application
has passed the 1st round of the selection process.
Ø
Health
and Social—Alicia Parham
Alicia
stated that the Health and Social Committee has two major focus areas, which are
Access to Health Care and Family Fitness. In
Access to Health Care, the Graham County Health Department has received $87,000
in NC HealthNet funds for continuation of the Robbinsville School Based Health
Center and Hilltop Health Care free clinic.
Hilltop Health Care has also secured a volunteer who will be managing the
medication assistance program.
The
spring geocaching/scavenger hunt event, Cache In on Fitness got off to a good
start with approximately 100 people signing up. The challenge kicked off with a
scavenger hunt highlighting physical activity/exercise opportunities in the Town
of Robbinsville on one day, then expanded to include trails throughout the
county in the following month. The challenge will wrap up on June 6th.
The
health department and Cooperative Extension will be partnering with Graham
County Schools on a school gardening project this summer at Kid’s Castle
summer camp. A proposal for $300
will be submitted to Graham County Farm Bureau on June 2nd for
assistance with this project.
This
committee is also partnering with the Cooperative Extension to support the 10%
buy local campaign. Alicia spoke briefly about this initiative and Beverly
Whitehead provided some more detailed information. Everyone was encouraged to
spend 10% of their food budget to buy local produce and to enter that
information on the www.nc10percent.com
website. Cooperative Extension is working to compile a list of local farmers for
this.
B.
GREAT
Financial Report—Rick Davis
Ø
Rick
presented the financial report and stated that 90% of funding is restricted
funds.
C.
County/Regional
Updates
Ø
John
Mitchell, Senator Richard Burr’s Office, presented some update to the group on improvements
that have been made in WNC including a new Great Smoky Mountains welcome center,
the grand opening of the WNC cattle market, an ARC grant for a wastewater
treatment plant in Fontana, and the possibility of funding for a new wastewater
treatment plant in Robbinsville.
Ø
Freddie
Harrell, Senator Kay Hagan’s Office, spoke
of the same accomplishments as above, especially emphasizing the value of the
WNC cattle market for the local economy.
Ø
Michael
Arriola, Small Business Administration, gave the group details of the Small Business Jobs
Act signed in September 2010 and explained what it meant for local businesses.
As of May, 2011, lending in WNC by the Small Business Administration has
increased by $29 million from last year.
D.
Brian
Rathbone, e-NC Authority
Ø
The
e-NC Authority is a division of the NC Rural Center that established broadband
planning teams. The group has been involved in Graham County for approximately 2
months. The goal of this group is to take advantage of the fiber optic cable in
Graham County and get high-speed internet “the last mile” to the residents.
Mr. Rathbone emphasized that need and demand determine what service providers do
and encouraged everyone to make the need for broadband access known.
E.
Director’s
Report—Rick Davis
Ø
Rick
introduced Great Data representatives who will be collecting data on access to
high speed internet. Residents who do not have internet access should call Leon
at 321-5300 ext 103. Those who do have internet, but need higher-speed internet
should complete a survey at www.wncfiber.com.
Ø
Rick
recognized GREAT Board of Directors for their work in the organization.
Ø
Z.
Smith Reynolds has funded a request for $30K for general support of GREAT.
Ø
The
initial review of a grant proposal to Alcoa Foundation has made through the 1st
round of reviews. The application is for $26,000 to continue the STEM project at
Graham County Schools.
Announcements
Ø
GREAT
Meeting – July 21, 2011
Ø
e-NC
meeting after GREAT meeting today
Ø
Chamber
of Commerce is seeking new members
Ø
NC
STEP meeting today at 5pm
Adjourn