Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes

November 14, 2013 Meeting

Location and Sponsor:  Fontana Village

I.        Welcome/Introductions

A.     Rick Davis welcomed everyone to the November meeting and introduced Myra Hair of Brookfield Renewable Energy and expressed his appreciation for Brookfield for sponsoring the lunch.

B.      Myra Hair presented Charles Hooper with a check donation for the local food bank.

II.      General Items

A.     The minutes of September 26, 2013 were approved by Beth Fields and seconded by Dave Dodson.

B.      The agenda for the November meeting was approved and seconded.

III.    Guest Speaker

Elaine Russell, Consultant Community Transformation Grant Project, provided information on the CTG project and the partnership with GREAT. She announced that GREAT was recognized as one of 23 communities nationwide to be funded for a Smart Growth workshop including an health impact survey for the Town of Robbinsville.

IV.   Reports/Discussion Items

A.     Committee Reports

·         John Feil with the Chamber of Commerce gave an update.

·         Tabitha Myler with the Travel and Tourism gave an update.

·         Randy Everhart with Stanley Furniture gave an update on business conditions.

·         Patricia Orr gave an update on the fall festival and medicine drop.

·         David Dodson gave an update on the clean sweep, recycling program, Lake Santeetlah Bike Trail project, Stecoah Valley Center playground and Partners of Joyce Kilmer organization.

·         Brenda Artiss provided an update on revitalization activities.

·         Kristen Shuler gave an update for the health and social committee that included information on obesity and diabetes, healthier choices in convenience stores, access to urgent care and primary care with the possibility of pediatric care and tobacco free housing in the future.

B.      GREAT Financial Report

Treasurer Pam Shaffer provided the GREAT Financial report. The report was accepted.

C. County/Regional Updates

·         Teresa Garland gave an update from the town and encouraged everyone to buy local.  Hometown Holiday scheduled for 11/23/13.

·         Jessica Cooper gave an update on the Town of Fontana including new signs, drainage, new lighting, power board and new sewer system.  She said TVA is doing well.

·         Greg Cable gave an update for the county including the park grant goes to Raleigh 11/22/13.

·         Phillip Moore with the Southwestern Health Impact Assessment discussed what’s missing for the comprehensive transportation plan

·         Lauren with the US Forest Service commented on the bike trails, open house for the Forest Service will be 12/5/13 at the Graham County Community Center to discuss the management plan, grants for trails around Fontana and a prescribed burn planned for the Yellow Creek area.

·         Lynn Sprague with RC&D provided an update on several Graham County projects including the purchase of a portable cattle shoot that is available thru the extension office.  Plans are for twenty hot houses to be constructed in the county.

V.     Announcements

·         Rick Davis gave a Director’s report and announced several accomplishments for GREAT including a $71,000 grant from Winston-Salem Foundation that will allow the mental health services at Graham County Schools to continue for the next two years; a $4,000 grant from the OEO Growing Opportunities; and $520 grant from the Graham County Community Foundation for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. 

·         GREAT Board Of Directors Meeting will be held December 9, 2013 

·         GREAT Annual Meeting is planned for January 16, 2014 at the Robbinsville Elementary School Auditorium and will be sponsored by Duke Energy.

VI.   Adjourn

·         The meeting was concluded.