Anne Hager describes the Prosperity Committee as “a group of people with a vision of what Graham County could be, if we had some more economic development.”
Hager, along with her husband Jim and other concerned citizens, formed the Prosperity Committee in spring of this year after the N.C. Department of Commerce visited Graham County, sparking discussions regarding what can be done about the distressed state of the town.
County officials, town officials and concerned citizens held a two-day meeting to determine
what three issues would have the greatest impact on economic recovery. One of the topics that made it onto the list was the sale of alcohol.
That meeting inspired Anne Hager and others to form the Prosperity Committee, with Anne serving as chair.
The newly-appointed chair began “calling around town,” as she wanted representatives from the real estate, hotel and restaurant industries on the committee as well as representatives from local government. Anne also sought out members at businesses not involved in hospitality.
Anne’s canvassing produced “around 12 members” and the committee soon hired a consultant and started gathering information about alcohol, ABC and election statutes.
Based on this research, the committee chose to pursue the legalization of beer and alcohol, but not hard liquor.
Anne expects beer and wine sales to “enhance business at restaurants and hotels, possibly doubling the average tourist’s 2 1/2-day stay, which would double the occupancy tax as well. Grocery stores and gas stations could reap direct benefits of beer and wine sales, and Ingles could increase sales and also hire more employees.”
Anne pointed out that Graham County has the highest tax rates in the surrounding area as well as a poverty rate of 19 percent, with 25.2 percent of children living in poverty.
“These numbers have not changed from 2010 to 2017,” Anne said. “I don’t think the folks living in poverty want to stay in poverty.”
At the Nov. 7 meeting of the Graham County Board of Commissioners, members were asked to add discussion of an alcohol referendum to the agenda. They declined to do so. The committee is considering another possible strategy: approaching the Town of Robbinsville, with the idea of putting an alcohol referendum on the ballot.
Anne acknowledged that the fight to make beer and wine sale legal in Graham County is an uphill battle, but it is one that the Prosperity Committee will continue to wage.
“All we are doing is simply asking the commissioners to let the people vote,” Anne stated.