Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team Minutes

November 13, 2014

Location and Sponsor:  Fontana Village/Brookfield – Smokey Mountain Hydro

 I.      Welcome/Introductions

A.      Executive Director Rick Davis welcomed everyone to the meeting and expressed appreciation to Brookfield for sponsorship of the meeting and to Fontana Village for hosting the meeting.  Jeannie Stewart, Manager Fontana Village brought a welcome and provided information on upcoming activities at Fontana. Myra Hair, Brookfield Government and Community Relations provide information on Brookfield’s activities in Graham County. Director Davis recognized the GREAT Board of Directors, honored all Veterans that were in attendance, and the elected officials from the County, Lake Santeetlah, and Town of Fontana and special guests. The Fontana Village Mountain View Restaurant was recognized for the delicious meal.

 II.            General Items

A.     Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting:  Minutes of the September 18, 2014 GREAT meeting were approved with a motion from Yvette Carringer and a second by David Dodson.

B.      Approval of the Agenda:  The agenda for the meeting was approved with a motion by Beverly Whitehead and a second by Brenda Artiss.

 III.            Reports/Discussion Items

A.     Committee Reports

Executive Director Rick Davis introduced GREAT committee chairs who provided updates from each committee. The committee report is attached for information.

B.   GREAT Financial Report

      Treasurer Pam Shaffer presented the GREAT Financial Report and asked if there were any questions or discussion. Report was accepted.

 IV.            Guest Speakers

Executive Director Rick Davis introduced Dennis Desmond with the Little Tennesse Land Trust and recognized the organization’s contributions to Graham County. Mr. Desmond provided information on several LTLT activities in Graham County with a focus on the Yellow Creek area project.

 V.            Updates/Announcements

A.  County/Town Updates

County and town officials provided updates on news and upcoming events.

B.  Regional/State/Legislative Delegation Updates

Regional partners and legislative officials provided updates for the audience and responded to questions and suggestions.

C.  Director’s Report

o       Executive Director Rick Davis informed group of the GREAT Board of Directors meeting to be at Stecoah Valley Center on December 01, 2014.

o       Executive Director Rick Davis provided information on the GREAT Annual Meeting to be sponsored by Duke Energy  on January 15, 20165  at RES lunchroom and auditorium.

 VI.            Adjourn

The meeting was concluded.

GREAT Committee Reports

November 13, 2014

Education and Workforce Development Committee

The GREAT Education and Workforce Development Committee met Monday, November 10^th at Robbinsville High School.

·         GEAR UP Grant details- $135,000 each year for 7 years with the possibility of an 8^th year. Local coordinator will begin in December and begin serving 6^th and 7^th graders. This grant will pick up grades each year and will follow this group through the first year of college. GEAR UP provides college access and information to students and their families as well as professional development to teachers to assist students in making educated decisions regarding their futures. This grant is a partnership with Appalachian State University and serves 11 counties in western NC.

·         $5,000 ARC Grant awarded to Robbinsville High School- The purpose of the grant is to encourage all students to attend college, whether a community college or a university. The grant pays for all college trip expenses, including rooms, bus drivers, and even food.  On one trip, our students were able to enjoy touring NC State, Duke, UNC Chapel Hill and Wake Forest and seeing what amazing opportunities are available. At each university, our high school students met with our former students who shared how well they are doing in college. This helped our high school students realize that Robbinsville High School students can truly do anything they strive to do.

·         6^th Annual Family Fall Festival- Approximately 2,500 people attended the event on Oct.31, with 700 children taking part in the Trick-or-Treat trail. Approximately 40 vendors (businesses, churches, organizations) gave out candy and information to the participants.

·         Medicine Drop – School Resource Officers and members of the Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Graham County collected over 9,000 doses of medicine on Sept.27^th.

·         Robbinsville Elementary Cafeteria Food Drive- RES Cafeteria will be collecting non-perishable food to be given to the local Food Pantry until Dec.17^th.

·         21^st Century Community Learning Center Grant (CCLC) - RHS/RMS/RES began its first full week of afterschool on 11/03/14.  Twenty-eight students are currently enrolled at the high school and 40 are enrolled at the elementary.  The Stecoah Valley Center has 43 enrolled and has been operating for the past two months.  A play, entitled, “The Elves and the Shoemaker” will be presented at the SVC on November 20.

·         Dolly Parton Imagination Library - DPIL Numbers:

o        303 currently registered

o        364 graduated

o        741 served

o        At the Fall Family Halloween festival we enrolled 44 children - 27 of whom are under 2 years old....that is really GREAT news!

Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee

First meeting for the Graham County Strategic Tourism Plan was held on Monday, November 10^th with thirty participants attending representing a cross section of Graham County. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 08^th.

Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality Committee

·         Approximately fifteen people participated in the fall "Clean Sweep" roadside litter collection effort. 67 bags of litter were collected from Graham County roads.

·         Six people participated in the fall Lake Santeetlah litter collection effort. A full pick up truck load of trash was collected from the lake, including a floating water heater. Thanks to Brookfield Renewables for use of their boat and supplies.

·         Four volunteers worked on clearing a section of the Benton MacKaye trail, including opening a wonderful scenic overlook.

·         Working with the Forest Service and several volunteers, an 8-10 mile hike was made up Snowbird to collect litter at remote camp sites.

·         Partners of Joyce Kilmer led 5+ hikes in the last two months.

·         Scenic overlook clearing will begin in November.

o        Stecoah Gap overlook cleared on Monday, November 10.

o        If the weather cooperates, we plan on working on the two Hazel Creek overlooks on Highway 28 towards Fontana on Monday, November 17^th starting at 9:00am.