GREAT Meeting Minutes - July 16, 2009

The meeting was held at the Graham County Schools Healthful Living Center starting at 12:00 noon.  Lunch was provided by Graham County Schools.  A tour of the new facility was provided after the meeting.  The minutes of the meeting held May 21, 2009 were presented and approved.  The agenda was presented and approved.

Committee Reports:

Economic Development, Business and Industry – Claudie Burchfield

The next GREAT Business Committee was announced to be held at the Iron Horse Campground on August 13, 2009 at 12 noon.

Education and Workforce Development – Rhonda Anderson

Updates on the senior downtown revitalization project and the RDA housing project were provided.

Tourism and Mountain Culture – Lynn Shields

Updates on committee activities were provided.

Revitalization and Infrastructure – Rick Davis

The group was informed of a meeting to be held with Graham County Commissioners and Bill Tunnell concerning need for a revitalization plan.  DSL update for Stecoah Valley and Fontana area was provided.

Recreation and Natural Resources – Rick Davis

Updates on committee activities were provided.

Leadership and Government – Teresa Garland

The Knights of the Roundtable youth leadership group activities were discussed.

Health and Social – Alicia Parham

Updates on committee activities were provided.

The financial report was presented by Lynn Shields and approved.

Paul Worley, Director of Workforce and Economic Development, discussed various issues facing the western counties of North Carolina.  Various statistics were provided to document need in the three TCCC counties.  TCCC courses designed to address workforce training were described.  Chip Wood, Manager, with NC Employment Security Commission was introduced.

Adam Harwood discussed the need to begin a recycling program in Graham County.  A good discussion of ideas and suggestions followed.  It was decided that Adam would work through the GREAT Recreation, Natural Resources and Water Quality Committee and Education Committee in organizing this activity.  

Josh Carpenter, Graham County Planner, provided information on a certified community recognition program offered by Advantage West.  He was interested in getting GREAT’s support in this endeavor.

Randy Everhart, Stanley Furniture Human Resources Director, provided information on Stanley Furniture – Robbinsville site and on a forthcoming announcement.  He assured members that the information for Graham County would be good news.

The last session of the Board Leadership Training focusing on marketing was announced to be held on August 28, 2009.

The meeting date for the September Board meeting was changed to September 24, 2008 due to GREAT participation in the Brushy Fork Annual Institute.

Mike Harwood volunteered to host the September GREAT meeting at the P & J Headquarters in Robbinsville.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:30 p.m.