Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes

September 26, 2013 Meeting

 

Location and Sponsor:  Snowbird Community Complex

 

              I.      Welcome/Introductions

A.      Rick Davis welcomed everyone to the September meeting and introduced Larry Blythe, Vice Chief Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and thanked him for hosting and sponsoring the GREAT meeting. 

B.      Vice Chief Blythe discussed the Youth Center to be completed by March 2014.  All Graham County residents will be welcomed.  He also discussed the Cherokee County Casino training and job fairs that will be conducted in the near future.  Mr. Blythe opened the meeting with prayer.

 

                  II.           General Items

A.     Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:  A motion was made by David Dodson to approve the minutes of the last meeting and seconded by Brenda Artiss.

B.      Approval of the Agenda:  A motion was made by David Dodson to approve the agenda for today’s meeting and seconded by Brenda Artiss.

 

                III.         Guest Speaker

Woody Giles with the Opt-In Project provided an update on the year- long project to recognize a vision for the region to improve the future in transportation, jobs, etc.  Graham County will be involved in three plans; the regional plan, Graham County comprehensive plan and Graham County comprehensive transportation plan.  The kick off meeting for Graham County was held 9/24/13.  There will be a workshop held in February 2014.  More information may be found at www.opt-inswnc.org.

 

                IV.            Public Discussion/Input

A.     Committee Reports

(Detailed committee reports are located in attachment)

 

·        Education Workforce Development Committee

Rick Davis reported for Committee Chair Rhonda Anderson and discussed the award of $1.36 million with the 21st CCLC for after school programs. Jaime Hooper gave a report for the education and workforce development and told about the Family Fall Festival Safe Trick or Treat event to be held at the Robbinsville High School 10/31/13 and asked for community involvement.  Patricia Orr with the Drug Free Coalition announced a medicine drop planned for 10/6/13.  Donna Mize discussed the library book sale and silent auction.  Jim and Donna Mize gave a report on the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.  Approximately 300 children are currently been served and approximately 260 have graduated. 

·        Health and Social Committee

Committee Chair Alicia Parham discussed access to medical care for Graham County.  Graham County now has primary care and urgent care access and Smoky Mtn. OB/Gyn will be coming every other week.  Plans for pediatric care is to begin in January 2014.  Kristen Shuler asked for suggestion on how the health department can better serve the community with family planning. 

·        Leadership and Government Committee

Committee Chair Eve Rogers with the Leadership and Government committee told about her training with SHIP for the extension office. 

·        Natural Resources, Recreation and Water Quality Committee

Committee Chair David Dodson discussed the new boat ramp and invited everyone to the committee meeting at the Cheoah Ranger Station 10/5/13. 

·        Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee

Committee Chair Brenda Artiss provided updates on revitalization activities.

·        Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee

Committee Chair Beth Fields provided information on the Visitor Profile Study.

 

B.      GREAT Financial Report

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

 

C.      County Updates

The opportunity for GREAT county partners to provide updates was provided. The audience heard from Andy Cable with Graham County Government, Administrator Jessica Cooper with the Town of Fontana, Tabitha Myler with Travel and Tourism and Junaluska Museum Director TJ Holland concerning approval of a grant for an archeological study of Fort Montgomery.

 

D.     Regional Updates

The opportunity for GREAT county partners to provide updates was provided.

 

                  V.            Announcements

Executive Director Rick Davis expressed his appreciation to the GREAT Board of Directors for their service to the organization and Graham County. He provided information on the November GREAT meeting which will be held at Fontana Village and sponsored by Brookfield Renewable Energy Group.

 

                VI.            Adjourn

The meeting was concluded.  

 

GREAT Committee Reports

Education and Workforce Development Committee

·         The GREAT Education and Workforce Development committee met Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at Robbinsville High School.  Members present included: Rick Parham, Rhonda Anderson, Anne Eck, Kevin White, Lisa Keener, Jim Mize, and Rick Davis.

·         Mr. Parham reported on the bridge project at RHS which is being built by current carpentry students in conjunction with a Bristol-Meyers Squibb Diabetes Coalition grant.  There will be an official bridge dedication ceremony held on September 30.

·         News regarding the second round of Kate B. Reynolds mental health funding should be received by November.  Currently, RES students are receiving group and individual counseling services through this grant. The Student Support Team Grant through the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust has served 720 students in our school system.

·         We did receive a large after-school grant totaling 1.36 million dollars to be allocated over four years.  This will provide after-school programs as well as summer school programs for students.

·         The 1:1 Laptop Initiative is almost in full swing.  All seniors and 7th graders have received their laptops and the remaining grades should be getting theirs in the next few weeks.

·         Dolly Parton Imagination Library currently costs approximately $8,000 per year to operate.  This is roughly $700 per month.  September begins our kick-off for donations to continue funding for the DPIL for the upcoming year.  Two grants (Office of Economic Opportunity - $4,000; NC Community Foundation - $500) have been submitted. 

Leadership and Government Committee

·         Received the final money from the Rural Center in the amount of $14,000 and will be ordering our climbing wall this week!

·         The WNC Regional Youth Council has started planning a regional youth summit. 2 youth members from 7 counties and the EBCI meet once a month.

Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality Committee

·        The Forest Service will be widening the Massey Branch boat ramp this winter to make it easier to back boats into Lake Santeetlah.

·        The Forest Service is continuing work on the Forest Plan Revisions. A summary document is available on the web for citizen review. A meeting to begin making changes to the plan will be held on Saturday, 10/5 at the NC Aboretum in Asheville. The meeting will run from 9:00am until 3:00pm. All are welcome.

 

·        In a parallel process, The Wilderness Society has organized a group of organizations and individuals to participate in a collaborative process to help with the Forest Plan revisions. A meeting will be held on 10/1, details to come.

·        Continued the discussion on the Lake Santeetlah Bike Trail initiative. The DOT and  The Forest Service have concerns about the safety of bike traffic on the highway 129 bridge in its current state. It has been proposed to break the trail into two separate trails until the bridge can be modified for bike traffic. Trail work days will be planned in October.

·        Still awaiting word on the planned recreation complex at Stanley Furniture from Parks & Recreation. Hope to have an answer by the end of the year.

·        The Southwestern Resource Conservation and Development Council announced a $23,000 grant award to purchase a livestock chute and portable corrals to help local livestock farmers load their animals for movement or market.

·        Approximately 65 tons of recyclable material has been collected since the beginning of the program. School recycling has been launched and a recycling float will be in the Homecoming Parade in conjunction with The Girl Scouts.

·        Roadside Clean Sweep litter pick up is scheduled from 9/21-10/5. We still need volunteers. Contact Lisa Russo at lisalynnrusso@gmail.com for more information.

·        A Lake Santeetlah litter clean up is scheduled tentatively for 10/26. Details to come.

·        The Friends of Joyce Kilmer will be holding a meeting on 10/16 at the Massey Branch Forest Service office. All are welcome. Contact Joe Bonnette at jbbonnette@frontier.com for details.

·        Way finding signage for natural resources and recreation activities in the county is better than expected. We will be taking an inventory and sending a list to the DOT of signs still needed.

·        Meeting has rescheduled for the Stecoah playground, awaiting quotes.

·        Long-time member, Arleen Higgins who founded the county-wide Clean Sweep and was heavily involved with The Friends of Joyce Kilmer, is moving to Raleigh. In recognition of her service, the NRR&WQ presented Arleen with a plaque recognizing her contribution to the GREAT organization. Please make sure to say goodbye to Arleen before she leaves in October.

·        Tabitha Myler of Travel and Tourism unveiled new maps of recreation activities in Graham County and said that links to these maps will be placed on the Travel and Tourism website in the near future.

Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee

·        The Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee and the STEP Team have expanded their activities to include assisting Robbinsville Old Towne business owners with painting the backside of their businesses facing the bypass. The NC Forest Service will provide the labor to complete these projects.

·        The CTG Signage Grant Proposal will be resubmitted to only apply for signage to indicate walking paths and physical activity locations. The Natural Resources and Water Quality and the Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee are collaborating on this proposal.

 

·        The final meeting for the Town of Robbinsville STEP Team will be held on Thursday, September 26 at 5:30 pm at Lynn’s Place. Everyone is invited for dessert and coffee at Lynn’s Place.

Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee

·        July 30 – Mountain Culture Committee meeting at Stecoah Valley Center.  Review email address collection process for current Visitor Profile Study.

·        August 8 – Attended Media Day sponsored by the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

·        August 13 – Mountain Culture Committee meeting at Stecoah Valley Center. Carol Kline of East Carolina University presented results from data collected in May from the Visitor Profile Study (included in this packet).

·        August 15 – Hill Climb survey results. Results of Heritage Festival survey and economic impact presented by Teresa Garland to Graham County Travel & Tourism Board (included in this packet).

·        September 2 thru 8 – World Freestyle Kayaking at NOC. Appalachian Heritage Village sponsored by Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center. Local, Rowan Stuart won women’s championship.

·        September 9 thru 13 – Graham County featured on WLOS TV station’s Road Trippin’ segments. Graham County Travel & Tourism, Fontana Village Resort and Marina, Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge and Stecoah Valley Cultural Arts Center featured.

·        Upcoming Events in Graham County:

o       October 11-13, Azalea Society of West Virginia, native & rare azalea planting and cultivating.

o       October 18 – 20, 17th Annual Harvest Festival at Stecoah Valley Center.

o       November 8 – Junaluska Wreath Laying

o       November 8 & 9 – Cheoah Storytelling Festival

o       November 29 & 30, Artisans Drive About. Visit artisan studios and galleries in Graham County.

o       December 14 – Breakfast with Santa & Christmas in the Mountains indoor arts & crafts show at Stecoah Valley Center. Annual Christmas Parade in Robbinsville.

o       Graham County Chamber’s 2nd Annual Winterfest. Daily activities run from November 23rd to New Year’s Day.