Graham
Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes
January
24, 2013
Annual Meeting
Location
and Sponsor: Robbinsville Elementary School/Duke Energy Foundation
A pre-meeting social with members of GREAT’s Board of Directors, town officials from Fontana, Lake Santeetlah and Robbinsville, and community leaders was held prior to the Annual Meeting. Executive Director Rick Davis provided updates on some of the major activities and accomplishments of the organization during 2012.
Reimagining Robbinsville - a master plan for revitalization activities in Robbinsville, completed by UNC-CH Center for Sustainable Community Design and the Asheville Design Center, the GREAT organization, and NC STEP team.
Pedestrian Connectivity Plan project – a proposal funded by the ARC through the Toolbox Implementation Fund. The project involves developing a long-range plan to build and connect pedestrian greenways/walking trails to existing trails in Robbinsville.
Young America Recreation Park - a proposed multi-use park adjacent to Long Creek on land donated by Stanley Furniture.
Graham County Telecom Survey – survey conducted by GreatData Company with funding from ARC to determine need internet/high speed internet access and make recommendations for future activities to enhance service.
I.
Welcome/Introductions
A. Rick Davis welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and introduced GREAT President Claudie Burchfield.
B.
Claudie Birchfield recognized
the GREAT Board of Directors, elected officials from the County, Town of
Robbinsville, Lake Santeetlah, and Town of Fontana and special guests. 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 with a motion from David Dodson and second by Brenda Artiss.
B.
Approval of the Agenda: The
agenda for the Annual Meeting was approved with a motion by Dick Evans and a
second by Beverly Whitehead.
III.
Business
Items
A. GREAT Financial Report was presented by GREAT Treasure Pam Shaffer. As of 12/31/2012, restricted fund balance was $95,057.47 and the unrestricted fund balance was $23,112.21.
B.
Board of Directors and Officers for 2013
was presented and approved with a motion by Beverly Whitehead and
a second by David Artiss.
IV.
Public
Discussion/Input
A.
Overview
of GREAT 2012 Accomplishments and Activities
Executive Director Rick Davis
summarized the accomplishments of the organization in 2012.
General membership of the organization has increased
to over one hundred people and forty local, regional and state agencies are
partners. The seven committees
continue to be very active in various Graham County initiatives.
Committee and partner activities have resulted in almost nine hundred
thousand dollars ($897,627) being awarded to support the organization’s
initiatives.
B.
Presentation of revised GREAT Strategic Plan
Angela Kemper of Hunter-Kemper Consulting of Asheville, NC discussed the process involved in the revision of the GREAT Strategic Plan. The organization received a grant to review and update its existing plan and the process has been occurring for the past few months.
C.
Updates from local, regional and state officials
The
opportunity for GREAT partners to provide updates was provided. The audience
heard from over 15 partners during this time including Graham County Government,
towns of Lake Santeetlah, Fontana and Robbinsville, Brookfield Renewable Energy,
EBCI, Stanley Furniture, Southwestern Commission, Graham County Chamber of
Commerce, Stecoah Valley Center, USFS and WNC Nonprofit Pathways.
V.
Announcements
Executive
Director Rick Davis provided updates of the next Board of Directors meeting and
the March GREAT meeting at Fontana Village
VI.
Adjourn/Meal
The
meeting was concluded and participants enjoyed the meal sponsored by Duke Energy
and catered by Phillips Restaurant.