Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Marcel Fortin

Members Present

Dick Bartlett, Geary Weir, Jerry Edens, Jim Anderson, Bob Johnson, Connie Lupardus and Marcel Fortin

Guests Present

Partners Present

______________________________________________________________________.

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Oct. and Nov. 2005 minutes Motion: Bob Johnson, Second: Jerry Edens, All vote Yes

Correspondence

Unfinished Business

1. “ WV. Distressed Communities Broadband Assessment Project” –Verizon/Frontier/Benedum Grant status on application and details of the project. Project has been funded and notification has been sent to the Corridor G RDA and the Alliance. Funds have been received from Verizon and awaiting funds from Frontier. Verizon has offered more funds for the project and Benedum has committed to dollar for dollar match. Meetings with all parties have begun. Local alliance directors need to be prepared to identify members to actively participate in this project

Discussion on the details of the project . Opportunities for branding the Alliance through this initiative. Connect Technology Corridor and Alliance may be duplicating efforts. Dialogue needs to be established between the groups. Failure of Doctors to take advantage of broadband discussion and need to get them on board for home based health technologies.

2. 05/06 Benedum Grant

Progress continuing on branding the Alliance. Business cards and envelopes delivered. Tri-fold brochure being designed for review. Be prepared to provide input

Work is progressing on the design. The process of determining copy and how to present the Alliance’s mission presents some issues.

3. 501c3 Status

IRS to have application processed circa April 2006

4. The ARC “WV Distressed Communities Telecommunications & Technology Initiative

Continue to request support for the project. Waiting on WVDO and the Governor to make a determination.

Contac t was made with members of the WVDO and the agency will be reorganized and legislation is being drafted.

5. Heritage Tourism Workshop followups Reports

Organizational Committee discuss on next steps. Chair: Bob Johnson

Dec. meeting of regional Tourism in Lewisburg workshop was canceled and next meeting set for Feb 14^th. Advancing of grant for regional planning from WVDO. Railroad project in Clay moving forward. Campground area on Elk River being cleared. Meeting to be held on Jan. 19^th in Mt.Hope for Braxton, Clay, Fayette, Raliegh and Wyoming counties.

6. AllianceWV.org Website

Be prepared to provide input and ask questions on how to upload items to the site. We need

to begin to take advantage of the cost effective method of promoting the Alliance. Need ideas on

how promote the site.

Recommendation of linking website with Gis data for

7. Coal Connectivity Grant

Status and discussion on how the Champion Communities can provide local input. Marcel attended a meeting with WVGIS dept to discuss mapping of the pilot project to identify topography and coal properties.

Recommendation to partner with Norfolk RR. and Pocahontas Land Co.

8. Reports.

Heritage Tourism Committee Report

Broadband Committee Report

2005 Operational plan Committee Report

New Business

Reports: Community Reports

The reports presented last meeting showed the progress from the champions in attendance.

We need to hear from the others so we can share experiences and best practices.

Speaker:

No speaker

Next meeting:

Feb. 15, 2005 Location TBA

Adjournment

Adjourned 11am.

Respectfully submitted: Marcel Fortin