Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team
Minutes
Location and Sponsor: Iron
Horse Motorcycle Lodge/John and Charlene Powell
Welcome/Introductions
A.
Welcome:
Rick Davis, Executive Director of the GREAT organization, recognized
sponsors, and gave those new to GREAT the opportunity to introduce themselves.
General Items
A.
Approval
of Minutes of Previous Meeting: The
minutes of the previous meeting were not available for approval.
B.
Approval
of the Agenda: The
agenda for the September 15, 2011 meeting was approved.
Reports/Discussion Items
A.
Committee
Reports
Ø
Economic
Development, Business and Industry
(Claudie Burchfield, Chair)
Rick Davis reported for the committee.
Work is being done to meet the need for RV dump stations within the county.
Ø
Education
and Workforce Development (Rhonda
Anderson, Chair)
Nancy Norcross reported for the
committee. The Family Fun Festival will be taking place on October 31.
The RHS Technology Construction class will be working on handicap access
and to perform light repair work on fitness trails in collaboration with the
USFS.
Christy Newman, representing the Alcoa
Foundation, formally presented a large check to Chip Carringer, Superintendent
of Graham County Schools, in the amount of $26,834 to fund the Science,
Technology, Education and Mathematics (STEM) project activities in Robbinsville
Middle and High schools. In the coming year, 350 kids will be exposed to the
program. The program is in its second year, and has already been very
successful. Mr. Carringer thanked Alcoa Foundation for the partnership and
support. Rick Davis thanked the Education and Workforce Development committee
for their help with the grant process.
Donna Mize spoke on behalf of the
Graham County Friends of the Library silent auction underway. Items can be bid
on during library hours. The silent auction concludes with the library book sale
on September 24th.
Jim Mize spoke on behalf of the Dolly
Parton Imagination Library Project. He reported there are currently 282 actively
enrolled, 109 graduates, and a total of 490 kids have participated since the
inception of the program in Graham County. He informed Superintendent Carringer
that the Project was about one year away from being able to track reading scores
for kids who have participated for a length of time in the program. Jim Mize
said the program is seeing age distribution starting to shift to younger
children as a result of getting registration info at birthing hospitals and
through Heath Department WIC program. He
advised the Post Office will be increasing costs for shipping. Pledge sheets
were distributed in room. The program has a goal of raising $7200 for this year.
Ø
Tourism
and Mountain Culture (Lynn
Shields, Chair)
Lynn Shields reported that the committee is working on a Christmas Festival, and
continuing to work on eco-tourism events. She noted the Fall Harvest Festival
will take place at the Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center the weekend of
October 14 – 16.
Ø
Revitalization
and Infrastructure (Brenda
Artiss, Chair)
Brenda Artiss reported that the
committee is reviewing strategies of the master plan of Robbinsville,
consultants are returning on the 30th of September, and the County
master planning will commence shortly.
For a progress report on the broadband
deployment plan, Brian Rathbone via an email reported confidence that many
people in the Tuskegee Valley area should have broadband service by the end of
the year, and that the county is currently looking at lease agreements.
Ø
Recreation,
Natural Resources and Water Quality – Joe Bonnette
Joe Bonnette
reported for the committee that this month’s issue of Our State Magazine could
be called “The Graham County edition”. The issue has 3 major articles about
the Cherohala Skyway, Snowbird Lodge, and Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest, plus an
ad for the county. He said a dump
station would be completed in the next few months (before next recreation
season). He reported that there has been some overlook clearing on the Cherohala
Skyway, that some will be complete before fall leaf season.
He reported several trail initiatives, including a Santeetlah bike trail
that would open an old trail former horse trail that is not in use. It is
expected the bike trail around Lake Santeetlah will be open next year.
Other trail initiatives include improving Massey Branch and other
community trails. Other work of the committee includes the recycling project
lead by Dave Dodson, a cleanup at Massey Branch with boy scouts, and October 8
is a countywide Clean Sweep. There will be another Massey Branch/Santeetlah Lake
cleanup on November 12. The Joyce Kilmer 75th celebration was
successful with 800-900 people attending, and the support of the Cherokee tribe
was acknowledged. There is work
being done on a Recreation Opportunities Guide, volunteers are needed. Cheri
Brantley is working with DOT on a project to improve Maple Springs Road. It is
estimated that $50,000 in repairs are needed in order to have the road race come
back again. Next meeting is scheduled on 10/11 for the committee.
A Poster for
Clean Sweep was made available by Lisa Russo.
Ø
Leadership
and Government
Rick Davis
gave the committee report. The first meeting of Leadership Training is 9/29, 3
slots remaining of 30. Rick announced a vacancy for a proposal writer and
coordinator position at P & J.
Ø
Health
and Social
Alicia Parham
gave the committee report. The free clinic started in Feb/Mar this year and has
seen 300 clients. She reported that Robin Mason resigned; Cindy Postell is the
new manager. The next goal is to
expand to full day or evening services for that clinic. Two diabetic counselors
will be available to provide services at Stanley Furniture. The “Be Active
Appalachia” initiative had a geo-caching event in the county, and there are
improvement planned for the Massey Branch fitness trail.
A comprehensive four-year health assessment for the county is due next
year, lots of information will be gathered
regarding the health and needs of county which will assisting in setting
priorities. The first meeting for that process is scheduled for October 20 at
noon at the Health Department.
B.
GREAT
Financial Report
Lynn Shields presented the financial
report, and said cash increased with Alcoa and Z. Smith
Reynolds grants.
C.
County/Regional
Updates
Ø
Sandy
Zimmerman and Boyce Deitz Congressman Heath Shuler’s Office. Addressed
the potential closing of the Fontana Dam Post Office. Boyce spoke with post
office officials and the Town of Fontana and there will potentially be a service
available to fulfill the current PO functions.
Ø
John
Mitchell, Senator Richard Burr’s Office, stated that there is interest in keeping rural
post offices open.
Ø
Freddie
Harrell, Senator Kay Hagan’s Office, stated
now is the time to contact all congressional offices with interest in program
funding as the budget is being worked on.
Guest
Speakers
A.
Rob
Taylor, Dept and Environmental and Natural Resources delivered a presentation on NC
regulation, recycling options, and funding opportunities. Dave Dodson said we
are close to making a county-wide decision regarding recycling.
Question was posed as to personal/business recycling receptacles. The response was that if recycling is comingled, people would
be able to use a single receptacle. If recycling is separated, everyone will
need more receptacles. Business owners and individuals will be responsible for
purchasing receptacles, and hauling items to a centralized site.
B.
Smithson
Mills, with the Rural Center
gave a presentation titled, “NC Small Town
Economic Prosperity Program.” He
described the potential projects that will be presented to the NC STEP committee
for prioritization and submission to the NC Rural Center.
Announcements
Ø
Next
GREAT Meeting – November 17, 2011 at Tapoco Lodge
Ø
Family
Fun Festival on October 31 at Robbinsville High School
Ø
Lauren
Stull is the new Cheoah District Ranger
Ø
$1845
was pledged for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library with pledge sheet
circulated during the meeting.
Adjourn