Posted on by Bill Slagle

March 12, 2026 EDC Agenda and Meeting Minutes

March 12, 2026
11:00 PM-12:00 PM
Mayland Small Business Center
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. Financials (January) – Amanda Hollifield
    2. Chamber of Commerce – Patti Jensen
  10. DIRECTORS REPORT – BILL SLAGLE
    1. Board Member Terms
    2. Budget Review
  11. BOARD COMMENTS/UPDATES
  12. ADJOURNMENT

MINUTES

March 12, 2026

The Mitchell County EDC board met on March 12th at 11am. Present were Bill Slagle, Marley Cloer, Chris Gentry, Curtis Taylor, Jon Duncan, Tonia Hale, John Boyd, Allen Cook, Daniel Stines, Amanda Hollifield, Lee Ellis, Jamie McMahan, Dale Carroll (guest), Dr. Aron Gabriel (guest), William Morgan (guest), Keith Holtsclaw (guest), Tessa Taylor (guest), Wayne Peight (guest), and Garret Wyckoff (guest).

  1. CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Chris Gentry called the meeting to order at 11am.
  2. WELCOME
  3. INVOCATION: Curtis Taylor
  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. Delete item 9B, Chamber of Commerce – Patti Jensen
  7. Add item 10C, Presentation from Garrett Wyckoff (EDPNC)
  8. ADOPTION OF AGENDA: Tonia Hale made the motion to adopt the agenda and its changes, Amanda Hollifield seconds. All in favor 100%, All opposed 0%
  9. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Jon Duncan made the motion to approve the minutes from February, Dr. John Boyd seconds. All in favor 100%, All opposed 0%
  10. PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
  11. REPORTS/PRESENTATIONS
  12. Financials (January) – Amanda Hollifield
    1. For the month of January, total checking/savings is $613,623.49, total assets, liability, and equity is $614,964.27. Total income is $1,148.59 and expenses are $30,135.93, so then our loss net income would be $28,987.34 for the month of January. Patti Jensen made the motion to approve the January financials, Dr. Tonia Hale seconds. All in favor 100%, All opposed 0%
    2. DIRECTORS REPORT – BILL SLAGLE
  13. Board Member Terms
    1. In June of last year, three board members were reappointed (Dr. Boyd, Tonia, and Chris) for one year, but they should go until 2028. Those set to go off this year are Chris Gentry, Tonia Hale, and Chuck Vines. Chris has chosen not to seek an additional term; he suggests Curtis Taylor steps up from advisory role to the board and recommends Courtney Aycock (Quartz Corp) to take his position on the advisory committee. Action will take place next meeting.
  14. Budget Review
    1. Director Bill Slagle gave a proposed budget for the board to vote on for the upcoming FY2026/2027. The board discussed the budget preparation. Amanda Hollifield made the motion to approve the budget and send it to County Commissioners, Lee Ellis seconds. All in favor 100%, All opposed 0%
  15. Presentation from Garrett Wyckoff (EDPNC)
    1. Garrett Wyckoff with the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina made a visit to explain the importance of the Mitchell Business Park and its development throughout the SelectSite Program. EDPNC selected only five counties impacted by Hurricane Helene to be a part of the program. Jamie McMahan shows appreciation for Garrett and asks Mr. Dale Carroll (SHEDC) for an update on the due diligence for the Business Park. Solid Ground Engineering has completed the Geotech borings based on the acreage as well as the fulfilled topographic survey. Robert Bailey has completed all required forms for disclosure of the prior use of the 90+ acres. He also completed all the forms needed for the Army Core of Engineers and NC Department of Water Quality.
    2. BOARD COMMENTS/UPDATES
  16. Daniel Stines – Town of Spruce Pine has received two more small business grants
  17. Amanda Hollifield – Penland received funding from Golden Leaf for a paid internship this Summer
  18. Tonia Hale – Hospital is doing good – They are still recruiting for primary care and general surgeons
  19. Allen Cook – Allen talks about the upcoming budget season and how things will need to be adjusted with EMS services taken on. The creek in Bakersville has been dug out. Allen had a meeting with the Blue Ridge Parkway and they are looking to be entirely open by the end of this year, hopefully by October
  20. Gabriel – Continuing to learn the organization, Mayland will be a part of an initiative called Western North Carolina Good Jobs
  21. John Boyd – Things have been worked out with the EDC and Chamber for the Mineral & Gem Festival this year for the coliseum, with construction continuing after. Mayland is now Bee Campus USA Certified
  22. Jamie McMahan – They are hiring 24 new positions at MCHP; final target date of completion is October 2026
  23. Curtis Taylor – Since November BRP has hired 40 new employees (36 FT, 4 PT) and have lots of new business at the plant
  24. ADJOURNMENT: Dr. John Boyd made the motion to adjourn the meeting, Amanda Hollifield seconds. All in favor 100%, All opposed 0%