Robbinsville – A community group interested in leveraging local resources to make Graham County a better place met for the first time in a more than a year.
The Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) met at Robbinsville High School on July 14, marking the group’s first meeting in more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The group last met in November 2019.
The group is a 501(c)(3) organization, and includes representatives and stakeholders of several local organizations, charities and businesses.
Following a meal, the stakeholders heard an update from county Finance Officer and former County Manager Becky Garland.
Before giving her update, Garland emphasized that she was filling in for County Manager Jason Marino, who could not attend.
“Graham County was very blessed in this pandemic,” Garland said. “Our sales tax was up about a good 15 percent this past year, so as far as revenues are concerned, we didn’t lose any revenue, so we’re trying to be really good stewards of that additional revenue and try to enhance programs in the county.”
Garland also said that the county had approximately $17,000 left of its approximately $534,000 Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act alottment. The county has until Dec. 31 to spend all its CARES Act funds. She noted that much of the CARES Act funds had gone toward salaries and COVID-19 protection supplies, in addition to other expenses through the pandemic.
She said that $202,000 went toward the county’s border closure early in the pandemic.
“I know that was a hot topic,” Garland said. “I know that the commissioners were very concerned because we do not have a hospital and we were beginning to get that influx of people fleeing the plague.”
Garland also also lauded the nonprofit support in the county.
“You’re able to move faster and make decisions quicker without some of these long processes,” Garland said. “Keep up the good work and continue to bring these ideas to me.”