Call to Order EDC Meeting/Welcome Board & Guest                  Chris Gentry

Additions/Changes to Agenda                                                                 Chris Gentry

Public Comment                                                                                              Chris Gentry

Approval of Minutes                                                                                       Matt Ward

February 23, 2024, Open Session Meeting Minutes

Approval of Minutes

February 23, 2024, Closed Session Meeting Minutes

Approval of Minutes Open Session Meeting Minutes

March 22, 2024, Open Session Meeting Minutes

Financial Report                                                                                              Matt Ward

March 2024 Financials

March 2024 Chamber Financial Report

Proposed FY 2024-2025 Budget and EDC Structure                 Matt Ward

Member Comments                                                                                      Chris Gentry

Adjournment (Next EDC Meeting – June 28, 2024)                      Chris Gentry

NORTH CAROLINA MITCHELL COUNTY

 The Mitchell County EDC Board met in person on April 26, 2024 at 12:00p.m. Present were, Chris Gentry, Matt Ward, Darlane Butler, Mandi Polly, Van Phillips, Jeff Harding, Allen Cook, Richard Canipe, John Boyd and guest Leo Williams.

2. CALL TO ORDER – Chris Gentry, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 12:01
3. ADDITIONS OR CHANGES TO AGENDA- Chris Gentry asked if there were any additions or changes to the agenda. There were no changes to the April 26, 2024 agenda. John Boyd made a motion to adopt the agenda and Jeff Harding seconded the motion. The motion passed
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS-NONE
5. APPROVAL OF MlNUTES- Chris Gentry asked if there were any additions or changes to the minutes. There were not changes to the February 23, 2024, open session meeting minutes. Darlene Butler made a motion to adopt the meeting minutes and Van Phillips seconded the motion. The motion passed

Chris Gentry asked if there were any additions or changes to the minutes. There were not changes to the February 23, 2024, closed session meeting minutes. Jeff Harding made a motion to adopt the closed session meeting minutes and John Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Chris Gentry asked if there were any additions or changes to the minutes. There were not changes to the March 22, 2024, open session meeting minutes. Van Phillips made a motion to adopt the meeting minutes and John Boyd seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously

FINANCIALS – Matt Ward, Executive Director, presented the EDC Balance Sheet for the month of March. Total Current Assets of $537,843.67 and Total Fixed Assets of $41,340.78 leaving Total Assets of

$579,184.45 in United Community EDC accounts. This amount equals our Total Liabilities and Equity through March 31, 2024.

The March Profit & Loss Statement reflects Interest Income of $260.59. This month there are various expenses listed the Advertising total $1,100 was full page ad in the Toe River Valley Destination Guide, Director Services total $17,577.68 and $22,500 Chamber of Commerce total relating to our MOA agreement. The expense will cover Chamber related operations and activities to promote small businesses. Leaving total expenses of $41,573.38 and resulting in net income loss of $41,312.79 for March. Jobn Boyd made the motion, and Jeff Harding seconded the motion to accept the financials as read. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Matt Ward, Executive Director, presented the Chamber of Commerce Balance Sheet for the month of March.

The Chamber of Commerce Balance Sheet for the month of March shows Total Current Assets of $39.450.39. Total equity of $60,886.78 in m Bank account with $39,450.39 as total Liabilities and Equity through March 31, 2024.

The March Profit & Loss Statement reflects total Income of$27,666.70. This month expenses listed are total office supplies and miscellaneous $436.24, payroll expenses $7,509.98 with a total expense equaling

$8,404.78 promote small businesses. Resulting in $19,261.92 as net income. John Boyd made the motion, and Van Phillips seconded the motion to accept the fmancials as read. The motion passed unanimously.

 

6. PROPOSED FY 2024-2025 BUDGET AND EDC STRUCTURE-The director presented $120,000 for FY2024-25. This is a reduction of$60,000 from the prior year. The County budget workshop is April 30, 2024. John Boyd made motion to accept the budget and Van Phillips seconded the motion. The motion passed

Tabled the decision on EDC structure as a non-profit status. Director will find out if we can pick up where we left off back in 2020 or start approval process.

EDC DIRECTOR UPDATES

578. The Appalachian State University Outdoor Recreation User Survey is complete. Popular activities in Mitchell County include nature viewing, fishing, and day hiking. The average amount spent on a Mitchell County trip was $578.
579. Latest employment numbers show Sibeleo with 488, Walmart 230, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital 300- 350 based on seasonality. Top 3 employers are Sibelco, Board of Education and
580. MCHP will break ground by end of year. Sometime around May 10 they should have their construction firm selected.

MEMBER/GUEST COMMENTS-LOCAL UPDATES

Darlene Butler:

• • Brad Ragan Park Grand reopening Friday prior to Memorial Day wrapping up grant activity to include trail entrance, pool slide, etc
  • May 3 is streetscape kick off meeting with engineers.
  • Stormwater mapping project has started.

Leo Williams:

• • Recruiting for general surgeon and primary care
  • New contrast enhancement mammography project to be completed in 18-20 weeks
  • Continuing to focus on employee satisfaction.
  • Upcoming Mitchell High School event.

Mandi Polly:

• • Tonia Hale and EDC Director added to the Chamber of Commerce executive committee.
  • The Chamber Board members are reviewing and revising current bylaws.
  • Sent three CPA firms contract request to conduct Chamber financials. Hope to hire a firm soon
  • 4 new Chamber members, Blue Ridge Tacos, Trinity Car Sales, Hopscotch Primary Care and Jack’s Locksmith. NCOA ribbon cutting today at 4 p.m.
  • Conducted TDA, Chamber, Spruce Main Street, BAMA and EDC quarterly meeting.
  • Active Excel spreadsheet used to document and keep track of business visits. Visited well over 20 businesses last month.
  • Meeting with Morgan Wood to developing ideas on a new event with business plan.
  • Chamber membership resource guide in bulleted format posted on the website.
  • Coordinating with SP BBQ Festival and Cycle NC for the NC Mountain to Coast ride in October. BBQ Festival is also working on obtaining music. Will present to Town of Spruce Pine Board.
  • Ready to offer 2 employees visitor center position on weekends.
  • Sandi Buchanan will stay on with the Chamber.
  • Separate Mineral and Gem Festival committee as well as bank account has been established.
  • Finishing up Food Lion building contract for Gem Festival
  • One platinum member, Sibelco has provided funding. Working with Penland and The Quartz Corp to determine their sponsorship abilities.
  • Rhododendron Festival preparation for June.
  • A previous contract with Visit NC of $6,320 had to be paid out of Chamber budget. It was a valid contract that was required to be paid.
  • To date there is $15,000 worth of booth rental for Mineral Gem Festival.

Jeff Harding:

• • Both businesses are very this Spring season. Down one employee but rest of the crew has continued to complete work.

Allen Cook:

• • Attended regional County Commission meeting in Avery. Our mountain area regional challenge for each county is workforce housing and the counties are sending that message to Raleigh.
  • Busy time of year, budget workshops, end of fiscal projects and day to day operations.
  • May 1 is bid opening for Mitchell County Recreation Center. 3 bids are required. Hope to start construction work starting July 1.
  • Carbon Reduction Grant was approved for a new 5′ sidewalk connecting P&R to Mitchell High School.
  • Road widening at middle school intersection will take about 6-8 weeks.
  • Law Enforcement Center should be completed by October.
  • Mitchell County is building up recreational facilities to help retain our youth.

Richard Canipe:

• • Blacksmith Festival this Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Largest vendor participation in
  • City Drive In and 640 on Oak will have live music and tee-shirt

Van Phillips:

• • No comments

John Boyd:

• • May 14 signing Aspire ceremony with ASU to help our students be prepared to attend ASU after Mayland. This will be a co-admission agreement between Mayland and ASU.
  • Nursing national accreditation was approved.
  • Enrollment is up especially because of the paramedic to nursing program.
  • Hotel curb and gutter completed this week.
  • Bids due today for pavement.
  • YMCA is moving fast.
  • Toe River Beekeepers area established on main campus.
  • This fall students can take Firefighter I and II in the afternoon block schedules.
  • Wit Tuttell, Visit NC executive director stayed at the Blue Ridge Boutique Hotel and attended an event at Planetarium and Observatory.
  • ARC planning grant submitted for supply chain and product development. Sibelco provided match funding, Mayland provided funding and in talks with The Quartz Corp. Around 13 entities have signed letters of support in anticipation of the planning grant award.
  • Mayland College is ranked #2 as most affordable NC community college mascot is now Highlanders representative of a Highland Cow.

Chris Gentry:

• • Van Phillips and Richard Canipe announced they will be coming off the EDC

• • Provided appreciation towards Mr. Phillips and Mr. Canipe’s dedication and support to the EDC Board for helping make the county

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT-The meeting was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. by motion from Van Phillips.