Graham
Revitalization Economic
Action Team
Minutes
Location
and Sponsor:
Robbinsville
Elementary School/Carolina Kitchen
I.
Welcome/Introductions
A.
Rick
Davis thanked Carolina Kitchen who provided food and introduced Claudie
Birchfield.
B.
Claudie Birchfield recognized
the GREAT Board of Directors, elected officials from the County, Town of
Robbinsville, Lake Santeetlah, and Town of Fontana. State and regional
representative were recognized. Boyce
Deitz from Congressman Shuler’s office spoke on behalf of the Congressman.
Freddie Harrell from Senator Hagan’s office spoke on behalf of the Senator.
Forrest Gilliam from Governor Bev Perdue’s office spoke on behalf of the
Governor.
Claudie Birchfield thanked outgoing Board member Lynn Shields for her work on
the Board of Directors. Guests David Salveson from UNC Center for Sustainable
Design and Mark Gross with Alcoa Operations were also recognized. Chip Carringer,
Superintendent of Graham County Schools was thanked for the use of the
Elementary School auditorium for the meeting location.
II.
General
Items
A.
Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:
Minutes of the previous meeting
were approved.
B.
Approval of the Agenda: The
agenda for the January 19 meeting was approved.
III.
Business
Items
A.
GREAT Financial Report Lynn
Shields presented the Treasurer’s Report. As of 12/31/2011, restricted
cash-on-hand was $68,415.89 and the unrestricted balance was $21,627.53.
B.
2012 Board of Directors and Officers A
new member to recommend for
approval to the Board is David Dodson.
Motion to approve current list and approve David Dodson – Lynn
2nd Joe and Brenda. Motion carried.
IV.
Public
Discussion/Input
A.
Overview of GREAT Strategic Plan, Committees and 2011 Priorities
Rick Davis reported that GREAT will be
revising its strategic plan with WNC Pathways. The organization works with seven
committees per the Strategic Plan. 2011 Priorities along with accomplishments
were distributed to attendees as a handout. Rick Davis summarized those
priorities and activities for 2011.
B.
Review of Committee Priorities and Accomplishments
Ø
Health
and Social Alicia Parham gave the committee report. Top priority for 2011 was
urgent care and the Hilltop Care opened on Wednesdays. So far 252 patients have
signed up with 451 total visits. Funds show sustainability for at least a year
with support from KBR. Plans to offer a clinic at night. Volunteers were
solicited for helping in the clinic. Physical Fitness is other priority;
playground complete, guide to walking trails is complete, and the Diabetes grant
and Fit communities grants to expand fitness/walking trails. Four kiosks run by
Health Department to distribute community information; ask at health department
if you have educational or health information to share with traffic using
fitness trails. Regional transformation grant in process to work with stores for
increased availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Smoke detector
installation grant in process.
Input for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Economic
Development, Business and Industry (Claudie
Birchfield, Chair)
Claudie
Birchfield reported. GREAT has a successful grant for $10,000 from the county
Economic Development fund to pay for an RV Dump station and a $6,000 match for a
Toolbox Implementation Fund (TIF). Stanley
renovations are on target. Competition with American Furniture Association, won
by student from NC and Stanley is going to produce the student desk winning
entry. The Chamber of Commerce is reorganizing in Graham County.
Input for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Education
and Workforce Development (Rhonda
Anderson, Chair)
Awarded Golden Leaf community assistance initiative and Alcoa Foundation
STEM grant to be used for Science, tech and math. First house built and sold in
collaboration with RHS carpentry program and Rural Development Authority.
2nd year of DPIL, 450 children served under age 5, 333 active
children receiving monthly books.
Input
for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Tourism
and Mountain Culture (Lynn Shields,
Chair)
Lynn Shields reported. Graham county barn quilt trail has 15 barn quilts will be
photographed by George Evans for a brochure. Eco tourism project has produced a
recycling plan which is now under Natural Resources committee. Golden Leaf
community assistance program public meetings identified tourism as the leading
economic driver and highest priority, funding didn’t follow that priority,
funds for improvement to lighting and sound at SVC was awarded. Off-season
tourism activities, committee chose a Christmas event that is now in the
planning stages.
Input for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Revitalization
and Infrastructure (Brenda Artiss,
Chair)
Brenda
Artiss reported for the committee. Major focus has been master planning of town
and county which is now in process. NC Dept of Commerce-Division of
Community Planning will be doing planning collaborating with UNC to have our
town and county master plan. David Salveson, Center for Sustainable Design at
UNC spoke; they will try to identify the problems, concerns, aspirations of the
town to be incorporated with workshop before June. Ideas to be put on paper,
with ideas generated. Wireless and broadband infrastructure – WIFI will be
downtown with $100,000 grant from Rural Center. The project will coincide with
other revitalization activities on the bypass, with zip code input required for
access that will assist with tourism marketing. A
new wastewater treatment plant in process. Matching funds for Robbinsville
building’s exterior improvements is part of projects.
Input for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Recreation,
Natural Resources and Water Quality – Joe Bonnette
Claudie introduced Joe Bonnette and
recognized Lauren Stull and the work of the USFS. Joe reported. The Partners of
Joyce Kilmer organization is a sub-committee and had well attended meetings in
2011. USFS clearing overlooks on the Cherohala Skyway. Santeetlah bike trails,
other trail initiatives. A draft of
Graham County recreation opportunities guide is being produced with anticipated
completion this year. Requested
input to committee on this publication. Provide information on the Hill Climb
events. The Little TN watershed invited to come back for watershed heath review.
A grant for summer employees at USFS has been completed. Algae/aquatic weed
problem in Santeetlah lake, biologist from NC to Feb 7 meeting. Information on
Robbinsville to gain AT community designation was discussed. The recycling
effort biggest ongoing project this year.
Input
for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Ø
Leadership
and Government
Rick Davis reported for Mike Harwood
who is out of town. Leadership Development sessions underway with financial
literacy will be the next meeting. One component of that project is 10 slots of
30 are designated for RHS students. Information
on a grant from Cherokee Preservation Foundation with RHS leadership group was
provided by Eve Rogres. Student volunteers from that group are helping with
collecting input tonight.
Input for 2012 priorities was solicited.
Suggestions by committee posted and sticky dots to vote.