GREAT Annual Meeting - January 15, 2009

The meeting was held in the Robbinsville Elementary School Auditorium at 6 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Rick Davis, Director who presented the welcome and special introductions were made.  A thank you was given to Margaret Evans from Stecoah Food Ventures for the excellent food.  An explanation of GREAT and what it was established for was presented.  Also a special thank you to Teresa Garland and the RHS students in attendance from the Leadership Training Program (Knights of the Roundtable) now in progress was given.

 Claudie Burchfield presented the business items:  The minutes for the November 20, 2008 meeting were approved as read, motion by Alicia Parham, 2^nd Lynn Shields.  The agenda was accepted and approved motion by Beverly Whitehead, 2^nd Lynn Shields. 

Lynn Shields presented the financial report and the motion to accept as read was made by Alicia Parham, 2^nd Yvette Carringer. 

The nominations for GREAT Board of Directors are: Alicia Parham, Claudie Burchfield, Donnie Stiles, Lynn Shields, Michael Wiggins, Pam Shaffer, Rhonda Anderson, Teresa Garland, T.J. Holland, Yvette Carringer, Kristen Shuler, Ralph Hooper, Carol Lambert, and Randy Everhart.  Motion to accept was made by Beverly Whitehead, 2^nd by Summer Carringer, and the motion carried.

Motion to adjourn the business session was made by Alicia Parham, 2^nd by Yvette Carringer.

Public Discussion and Input were the next items on the agenda.

Claudie Burchfield presented the History of GREAT.  Rick Davis presented the Strategic Plan.  A welcome to Mark Roberts and Sara Day Evans from NC Dept. of Commerce was given by the Director.

A presentation from the committees on their priorities and accomplishments was done.

Economic Development, Business and Industry- Claudie Burchfield

A priority for this committee is to support existing business, and to encourage new businesses to relocate to Graham County.

A Business Publication will be done featuring local businesses

Quality training in the hospitality fields

Support small business entrepreneurs and start-ups for small businesses

Input from the audience was to encourage more green businesses, historical/old building renovations for new and existing businesses.

Education and Workforce Development-Rhonda Anderson

Equip citizens with needs for workforce by conducting development research.

Research existing programs in schools and trying to teach local business needs along with offering highest quality of education

Work with legislators for local needs

Look at offering pre-school/after school for non-school days

Enlarge drop-out prevention programs

Enhance drug and alcohol abuse programs

Lobby for tax and lottery funds.

Input from the audience suggested more general health education

Tourism and Mountain Culture-Lynn Shields

Work with Travel and Tourism to develop a county plan

Implement Heritage Development Plan

Develop a new business center

Support the Arts and Craft community

Work with Stecoah Valley Center on gallery expansion and an artist’s directory

Promote agritourism

Create a heritage museum

Work with the birding community to promote business

Eve Rogers with the Cooperative Extension office is looking at promoting a quilt trail

Support Clementine Cove developments

Input from the audience wanted to know what kind of funding Graham County has to develop a marketing and advertising plan.

Revitalization and Infrastructure-Rick Davis

Increase internet accessibility-progress has been made and Stecoah Valley and Fontana should be DSL accessible in June/July 2009

Input from the audience suggested that more be done to revitalize downtown Robbinsville.

Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality-Rick Davis

Most of the focus has been on recreation and the grant to fund the pool

Jason Sawyer and Josh Carpenter reported that they are currently working on a grant for a recreation complex beginning with a playground.

Input from the audience concerns were voiced about affordable local housing and Graham County website could use a facelift.

Mark Roberts with the Dept. of Commerce spoke to the group about working with Graham County, the things he had seen accomplished and what he would like to help them accomplish.

Leadership and Government-Teresa Garland

Encourage and strengthen job training

Youth leadership training

Work to establish the business guide for Graham County

Input from the audience questioned if there was to be an established greenway on Long Creek and the tying in of Stanley Recreation Park.

Health and Social-Alicia Parham

Community Health Assessment completed and 2 top ranking priorities are obesity and diabetes

Target family fitness

Diabetes support groups for adults and children

Girls on Run grades 3-5 mentor program

Graham County now has l full time dentist

School based health center grant has been discontinued, work to find funds to continue

Water Quality Health Dept. received a $560000 grant to replace septic systems in the watershed areas of Graham County.

Input from the audience suggested more alcohol and drug prevention

Walk to Bethlehem was a success an average of 6348 miles were logged per team consisting of 26 teams over 100000 miles were walked

Rick Davis then recognized James Budd-Graham Star, and Lavina West-Graham Sentinel

The GREAT Board of Directors will meet February 19, 2009.

The next GREAT meeting will be March 19, 2009 12:00 noon.

March 16, 2009 is Qualla-T customer Service and Hospitality training

The meeting was adjourned by Rick Davis, Director @ 8:30 p.m.