G.R.E.A.T. Meeting Minutes - November 19, 2009

The GREAT November meeting was held at the Meadow Branch Fire Department.  A Thanksgiving meal was served by Fire Department volunteers and provided by Alcoa, Inc.  The meeting was called to order at 12:10 p.m. by Director Rick Davis who gave the welcome, an appreciation to Alcoa for providing the lunch and introduction of special guests.  Director Davis recognized Chair Claudie Burchfield who conducted the meeting.  The minutes of September 24, 2009 were approved as read.  Agenda was accepted as read.

Committee Reports:

Economic Development, Business and Industry - Claudie Burchfield

Discussed the Strategic Plan Review and the need to revisit the plan to see what needed to be revised.  Josh Carpenter, County Planner, discussed the recent grant from NC Rural Center in collaboration with Tri-County Community College to provide training for 30 participants in Graham County to enhance job skills.

Education and Workforce Development - Rhonda Anderson.

Nancy Norcross provided an update on Committee activities-house construction has begun on Mill Creek using students enrolled in the RHS Construction Technology class and announcement of the 21^st Century Grant proposal for afterschool programs at Robbinsville Elementary and Middle Schools and Stecoah Valley Center.  Jim Mize, Imagination Library Champion, provided an update on the project.  One hundred fifty-one (151) 0-5 year old children have been enrolled and a total of $5,100 in donations has been collected.  

Tourism and Mountain Culture - Lynn Shields

Judy Carpenter provided information on the Proctor Revival Project she is working on.  Judy discussed the need to more to enhance tourists to visit and stay in Graham County.  She discussed some potential fund raising activities and provided a handout on the benefits of the proposed project.

Revitalization and Infrastructure - Rick Davis

Information was provided on the rollout of Verizon DSL for the Stecoah and Fontana area.  A grant of $252,000 from the e-NC Authority provided funds for this project.  An additional focus will be attaining service in other areas of Graham County.   MAIN and GREAT are collaborating on a grant for stimulus money to install wireless broadcast towers for Graham County areas not served by Verizon DSL.

Brenda Artiss provided information concerning the potential effects of the 4-lane Bypass to Robbinsville merchants.  She provided a survey for people to complete and forward to appropriate DOT personnel.  Mrs. Artiss also discussed need to revitalize the downtown area of Robbinsville and her willingness to work on this project with GREAT.

Recreation, Natural Resources, and Water Quality - Michael Wiggins

Jason Sawyer discussed the need to update the Master Recreation Plan for Graham County and announced a meeting time and place for citizen input in this process.  Randy Collins reported on various agriculture projects in Graham County. Lindy Ammons provided information on the Yellow Creek Falls clean-up project with Land Trust for Little Tennessee and Alcoa employees.  He indicated that Alcoa would be installing signage for this trail soon.

Leadership and Government - Teresa Garland

The youth survey was done to identify needs in the county.  Identified needs were: economy, healthy lifestyles, and natural resources.  A $15,000.00 grant from Cherokee Preservation was received to help Knights of Round Table (KORT) in leadership development and training.

Health and Social - Kristen Shuler

Information was provided on “bridge” funding for the School Based Health Center for 2010.  Additional revenue/sources of funding are being pursued to keep the SBHC open and available for Graham County Schools’ students.  The Diabetes Education classes were discussed.

Mike Harwood discussed the Financial Literacy program he is providing through Peace University. 

Alcoa representatives, Bill Bunker, Christy Newman, Marshall Olson and Lindy Ammons, were recognized for their contributions to GREAT and Graham County.  Bill Bunker provided an update on Alcoa operations in Graham County and the upgrades to be done on the Cheoah Power Plant and the potential for job creation in Graham County.

Financial report was presented by Rick Davis and accepted as read.

Consultant Updates:

Sandy Zimmerman with Congressman Heath Shuler’s office reported on various issues being focused on in the US Congress.  She applauded the Meadow Branch Community on its Fire Department Building.

Sara Day Evans reported on her work with Graham County in the 21^st Century Program.  She was very complimentary of GREAT and the progress that had been made in the organization and its activities.

Jen Walker, consultant with Fit Communities, discussed the playground project.  She indicated she was very impressed with the GREAT organization and the activities being pursued.

Ted Alexander with Preservation North Carolina provided a very informative presentation on the work of this organization and the desire to preserve historic buildings, sites and land.

Juleigh Sitton, Western NC Representative of Governor Purdue’s office was recognized.  She provided information on Governor Purdue’s areas of focus. 

Rick Davis provided an article concerning Graham County being identified as a top 10 site for retirees to move and the need to plan for this influx of people.  He also provided information on future meetings with Golden Leaf representatives to begin a process of identifying priorities for Graham County.  The GREAT Annual Meeting on January 21, 2010 was announced with a discussion of the process that would be used to indentify priorities for 2010

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m. After the meeting Alcoa representatives took interested participants on a tour of the Cheoah Dam.  Several people participated in a very informative tour and history of the area.