Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes

January 23, 2014
Annual Meeting

Location and Sponsor:  Robbinsville Elementary School/Duke Energy, Graham County Travel and Tourism and Fontana Travel Development Authority

              I.      Welcome/Introductions

A.     Rick Davis welcomed everyone to the Annual Meeting and introduced GREAT President Claudie Burchfield.

B.      Claudie Birchfield expressed appreciation to Duke Energy, Graham County T & T and Fontana TDA for sponsorship of the Annual Meeting. President Burchfield recognized the GREAT Board of Directors, elected officials from the County, Town of Robbinsville, Lake Santeetlah, and Town of Fontana and special guests. Angela Knight, Superintendent of Graham County Schools was thanked for the use of the Elementary School auditorium for the meeting location. The GCS Child Nutrition Department was recognized for the delicious meal enjoyed by participants.

                  II.            General Items

A.    Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:  Minutes of the November 14, 2013 meeting were approved with a motion from David Dodson and second by Beth Fields.

B.      Approval of the Agenda:  The agenda for the Annual Meeting was approved with a motion by Beverly Whitehead and a second by David Dodson.

                III.            Business Items

A.    GREAT Financial Report was presented by GREAT Treasure Pam Shaffer. As of 12/31/2013, restricted fund balance was $167,209.82 and the unrestricted fund balance was $50,216.15.

B.      Board of Directors and Officers for 2014 was presented and approved with a motion by Beth Fields 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 2013.  The year of 2013 was a GREAT year for the organization.  General membership and agency involvement as partners of the organization continues to increase. Committee and partner activities have resulted in over one million dollars ($1,017,067) being awarded to support partner and organization initiatives. For each dollar that was invested in the GREAT organization during 2013 a return of fifty-one dollars was realized. The organization continues to keep operating expenses at a very low percentage. The Director asked for the public to provide input into areas they would like to see the organization address during 2014. These suggestions were collected.

                 V.            Guest Speaker

Tabitha Myler, Director of Graham County T&T, introduced Dr. Steve Morse, WCU Economist and Director of the Hospitality and Tourism Program. Dr. Morse’s presentation, “Tourism Works for Graham County and WNC”, provided a wealth of information on the impact of tourism in Graham County and its effect on the economy.

               VI.            Announcements

Executive Director Rick Davis provided updates of the Opt-In/Graham County Gateway to Tomorrow Plan, the next Board of Directors meeting and the March GREAT meeting at Fontana Village

             VII.            Adjourn

The meeting was concluded.