Posted on by Bill Slagle

August 22, 2025, EDC Agenda and Meeting Minutes

August 22, 2025
12:00 PM-1:30 PM
Mayland Small Business Center Conference Room
67 Hotel Place
Spruce Pine, NC 28777

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. WELCOME

3. INVOCATION – LEE ELLIS

4. ETHICS AWARENESS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST REMINDER:
In accordance with the State Government Ethics Act, it is the duty of every board member to avoid both conflicts of interest and appearance of conflict. Does any board member have any known conflicts of interest or appearances of conflict of interest with respect to any matters coming before the Board? If so, please identify the conflict or appearance of conflict and refrain from any undue participation in the particular matter involved.

5. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA

6. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

7. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

8. PUBLIC COMMENTS

9. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS

  1. Finance Report – Amanda Hollifield
  2. Money Market Accounts – Jon Duncan
  3. Chamber of Commerce – Patti Jensen

10. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

  1. Director’s Report – Bill Slagle
    1. Jenkins Hill Consulting
    2. Project Runway
    3. Transportation Plan

12. ADJOURNMENT

MINUTES

August 22, 2025

The Mitchell County EDC Board met in person on August 22, 2025 at 12:00pm. Present were, John Boyd, Allen Cook, Jon Duncan, Lee Ellis, Chris Gentry, Dr. Tonia Hale, Patti Jensen, Jamie McMahan, Bill Slagle, Curtis Taylor, Chuck Vines, Elizabeth Holmes (board attorney), Derek Buchanan (guest), Keith Holtsclaw (guest), William Morgan (guest) and Marley Cloer (guest).

  1. CALL TO ORDER: Called to order by Chris Gentry, Chairman, at 12:01pm.
  1. WELCOME: Chris Gentry welcomed everyone to the meeting. Director Bill Slagle welcomed and introduced Marley Cloer, the EDC’s newest hire, and William Morgan from EDPNC.
  1. INVOCATION: Lee Ellis
  1. ETHICS AWARENESS AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST REMINDER: Read by Chris Gentry. No conflicts of interest.
  1. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO THE AGENDA:
    1. Chairman Gentry asked if there were any changes or additions to the agenda.
    2. Director Bill Slagle would like to create item 9D for Jon Duncan to report on his meeting with Dale Carrol and the fact that we can go after the letter of intent on the ARC program for the proposed Business Park.
    3. Item 11B, add Morgan Buchanan to the list of recommendations for the Selection of the Business Park Committee.
    4. Propose a total of seven representatives to be selected for the Business Park Committee.
  1. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Chuck Vines makes the motion to accept the agenda, Lee Ellis seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
  1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: John Boyd made a motion to accept, Jon Duncan seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
  1. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS
    1. Finance Report – Jon Duncan
      1. Jon Duncan reported that $231.46 was received in credentials at United Community Bank with a $65,000 injection from Mitchell County. The expenditures total was $9,696.04. Net Ordinary Income was $55,535.42. Balance at the end of July is $605,563.61 distributed between two accounts. With adding fixed assets and office equipment to that, total liabilities and equity comes out to $606,904.39.
      2. Chuck Vines makes the motion to accept, Tonia Hale seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
    2. Money Market Accounts – Jon Duncan
      1. Jon Duncan reports that the two checking accounts at UCB are earning a 0.34 basis points. Money Market Account is earning 0.75 basis points. He consulted with Bill Slagle to come up with a tiered money market account, with $500,000 in the account, and APY would be 3.25%. They discuss the need to choose signers for the new account and the legalities of signing as a non-profit. Sharon and Chris are suggested as the two signers.
      2. Lee Ellis makes the motion to approve, John Boyd seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
    3. Chamber of Commerce – Patti Jensen
      1. Patti Jensen discusses the ribbon-cutting for the new Chamber office on Friday, August 29. She provides updates on various projects, including re-openings, new businesses, and a groundbreaking for the MCHP clinic. She invites everyone to the Business Prayer Breakfast happening on October 10th. The Chamber and EDC have had several recent meetings about new things coming to the county. The Chamber is undergoing bylaw reviews.
    4. Meeting with Dale Carroll
      1. Dr. Boyd discusses the meeting with Dale Carroll, concluding that infrastructure is needed for the proposed business park. Need a LOI before ARC Grant. Plan on using the summary from Dale to use as justification for writing a grant for the development of the site. The minimum possible to request from the ARC is $400,000 with a 50% match. He discusses leveraging existing funds to get grant funds, and grant funds for different funds.
      2. Motion to proceed by Jon Duncan, Lee Ellis seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
    5. ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
      1. Director’s Report – Bill Slagle: Met with Sibelco to discuss funding for the new business park, asked for $150,000 for due diligence, and they would provide a response after Labor Day.
        1. Jenkins Hill Consulting – Reached out to congressional leaders, got proposal back, the NCDOT guys recommended local engineers do more research and data analysis. It would be complete by end of September.
        2. Transportation Plan – Mitchell could’ve done better. There was a push for Grassy Creek widen from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Summit Avenue. Bringing David Graham for a drive through for the Grassy Creek corridor. Mitchell High School sidewalk project down Ledger School Road is out another two years before completion. Biggest focus is the Grassy Creek corridor, 30% component of leveraging local and legislative input to make something progress. Everyone agrees to send a note to show support for the following project.
  • NC Growth – Bill Slagle shares the idea of a retail strategy for Mitchell County with Patti Jensen, working with NC Growth. This will start after Christmas and be completed by about Spring. DAT Study to be reviewed.
  1. Bill Slagle notifies everyone he will be out of office 8/25/25 – 9/5/25. Marley Cloer will be in office five days a week going forward. Bill discusses meeting with Walmart and expressed interest to them about a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Letter was sent to Mr. Ingle. There are a few issues with Spruce Pine Chevrolet, lease offer is in place, but there won’t be a purchase offer.
  2. Project Runway – Beth Holmes goes over the contract for Project Runway. The entry rights allow for us to do all due diligence. Optional fee is $10,000 with $1,000 a month for the next five years. Mr. Bailey has reviewed and signed, and has agreed to serve on the committee. Dr. Boyd makes the motion to proceed, Lee Ellis seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed: 0%
  1. SPECIAL PRESENTATION
    1. William Morgan – EDPNC Site Selection Representatives
      1. William Morgan provided detailed information for the program including the time line and selection process. He announced a webinar happening September 15, and encouraged us to participate.
      2. Committee to be Appointed:
        1. Derek Buchanan
        2. Jamie McMahan
        3. Boyd
        4. Robert Bailey
        5. Keith Holtsclaw
        6. Morgan Buchanan
  • Committee will create finance plan, review RFP, and create strategic calendar to meet all needs. Jon Duncan makes the motion to accept, Chuck Vines seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed 0%
  1. BOARD COMMENTS
    1. Tonia Hale – She say the hospital is good, there is no nursing turnover. They have a new service, high risk OB/ultrasounds. Two pediatricians in the queue and recruiting primary doctors. Rising Strong event for year following Hurricane Helene, September 26th and 70th Year celebration on November 6th. Hospital is not closing.
    2. Keith Holtsclaw – Golden Leaf opportunity with a February due date. NCRR will be here August 25th. Signed contract for $150K due diligence coming in
    3. Allen Cook – Six housing study submissions, down one. Leaning towards Bowen group. Moving silt out of Cane Creek.
    4. Derek Buchanan – Announces that Harris Teeter has expressed interest in Spruce Pine.
    5. Boyd – New president, Dr. Gabriel will take office January 9th. They have been working a lot on apprenticeships and enrollment is up.
    6. Jon Duncan – UCB is good, hired another employee, which brings them to full capacity. Looking to expand parking.
    7. Curtis Taylor – BRP has rehired 24 out of 32 and plan to double that by the end of the year. 195,000 Allison transmissions made locally, working on contract with John Deere. Putting together business plan for an investment facility of $2M for low pressure due cast.
    8. Beth Holmes – Applying for grant to address issues downtown from storm. Town is working on walkways at the parks. Bridge still in process, FEMA/ADA compliant.
    9. Jamie McMahan – Moving dirt at MCHP, bringing on five new providers.
    10. Chris Gentry – Quartz Corp is steady, lots of investment by both companies in operations over last few years.
  1. ADJOURNMENT: Tonia Hale makes the motion to adjourn, Chris Gentry seconds. All in favor: 100%, All opposed 0%