Fontana Dam – The latest GREAT (Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team) meeting, hosted by the Fontana Village Resort and Marina and sponsored by Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, took place at the resort’s lodge Nov. 14 and included a guest speaker, as well as a Thanksgiving feast.
The event began with the resort’s marketing director, Sabrina Garrison, announcing the total weight of the trash collected during the second annual Fontana Lakeshore Clean Up. This year’s effort collected 45,000 pounds of trash from the lake – more than twice last year’s total – and included 50 more volunteers than the inaugural event.
GREAT Director Michelle Shiplet then acknowledged the service of former director Rick Davis.
Davis also received a plaque of appreciation – as well as a cake in his honor – with Shiplet saying, “Rick, thank you for being a friend to Graham County.”
Attendees then dove into a Thanksgiving feast that included everything from turkey to pumpkin tarts.
Western North Carolina’s 2020 Census Partnership Specialist, Dr. Debbie Denise Reece, then explained the importance of the constitutionally-mandated count.
“The census is the largest peacetime mobilization of the American workforce, with over 500,000 citizens working with one mission: to count everyone once, only once, and in the right place,” Reece said. Reece reminded the audience that the census has two main constitutional functions: to determine representation in Congress and to determine distribution of federal funds, with the 2020 census determining the distribution of $675 billion to support 132 federal programs.
Reece also emphasized that census jobs pay well, have flexible schedules and are still available. She closed her presentation by inviting Graham County residents to apply.
The Robbinsville High School band and chorus then entertained the crowd with a census-themed tune, with lyrics written by Dr. Reece herself.
Town of Robbinsville Mayor Steve Hooper reiterated the importance of the census.
“Everybody needs to get behind this,” Hooper said. “It’s so important for our community.”
Hooper also announced that the town is bringing the Tallulah water treatment plant up to date and is 10-15 percent complete. Other news and notes from the meeting included:
* Beth Booth, director of the Graham County Health Department, announced that in collaboration with Clay County, the department has been awarded the Community Linkage-to-Care grant in the amount of $250,000. Graham County will work with with Clay County to reduce recidivism by “targeting those who are justice involved, helping them find health care, jobs, and rehabilitation” all in an effort to reduce the chance of participants returning to jail or prison.
* Graham County Economic Development Director Sophia Paulos then shared that $700,000 in grants has been acquired for Graham County in only the last three to four weeks, with 1-2 million in grants possible in the next year.
* The Graham County Historical Association then announced the showing of the movie Nell, which will take place Saturday, Dec. 14 at Robbinsville High School, in honor of the movie’s 25th anniversary.
The next regular GREAT meeting will be March 19.