Tapoco – Several dozen community leaders were at Tapoco Lodge for a quarterly, general-membership meeting of the Graham Revitalization Economic Action Team (GREAT) on Nov. 17.
Tapoco Lodge provided the venue and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort and Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino & Hotel catered the lunch, which included fresh turkey and all the trimmings.
Michelle Shiplet took the helm at GREAT in 2019 from then-longtime director Rick Davis. Just months later, COVID-19 rose up and interfered with GREAT operations for the next two years.
GREAT has resumed its quarterly meetings, with the previous 2022 events taking place at Robbinsville High School and Fontana Village. Representing a rural, isolated county with limited financial resources – but abundant natural resources – GREAT has been focusing on a variety of issues aimed at improved transportation and internet connectivity to the community. Several speakers touched on those topics – including Becca Scott of the Southwest Commission, who talked about the importance of internet connectivity; Millie Smith of the Southwest Commission, who talked about building outdoor-oriented businesses and activities; and Josh Carpenter of Mountain West Partnership, the agency hired to promote economic development in Graham County.
Carpenter said growth in Graham County will occur by bringing new money through increased tourism and more businesses.
“We need to make Graham County a place where people want to stay,” Shiplet agreed.