Call to Order

The meeting was called to order by Marcel Fortin

Members Present

Dick Bartlett, Jerry Edens, Kathy Brunty, Connie Lupardus

Guests Present

Partners Present

Approval of Minutes

Correspondence

Unfinished Business

1. “ WV. Distressed Communities Broadband Assessment Project” (BAP)

Getting good responses. Barbour County has provided about 400 surveys. Great Job!! Others are reporting positive responses to the efforts.

All efforts are moving forward. Kathy Brunty (Wyoming) related that she had 110 surveys being done by a DHHR intern.

2. 05/06 Benedum Grant

Comments that surveys with Alliance Logo is generating questions about the group. The Logo is on all documentation and seems to be provided the desired branding results. Made a presentation at the Barbour County Chamber of Commerce meeting and was well received. Provided a discussion about the Alliance and Corridor G Regional Dev. Authority – Shelley Huffman discussed the Broadband Assessment Project. Had Channel 12TV coverage and Elkins newspaper as well.

All confirmed of value of the Logo.

3. 501c3 Status

IRS to have application processed circa April 2006

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

We received notice that we were not funded. Only water and sewer projects were funded.

Discussed the effort to get funding for that type of initiative and will consider the options when funding becomes available in May. The Governor has said that less than 20% of funding will go towards technology focusing primarily on water & sewer projects.

5. Heritage Tourism Workshop followups Reports

Organizational Committee discuss on next steps. Chair: Bob Johnson

6. AllianceWV.org Website

Maptitude viewer costs came in around $4000.00. Too much for us, but negotiations are in

progress to get a better deal.

7. Coal Connectivity Grant

Project is moving forward. Meetings scheduled this week to develop the strategies to get funding from Benedum, private businesses and WVDO. Meetings have been held with Homeland Security about duplication of efforts.

8. Reports.

Heritage Tourism Committee Report

Broadband Committee Report

Legislative actions regarding broadband SB 563, SB 781, SCR 94 and HR 102

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.

Barbour – The CDC has taken control of the assets of Sugar Creek and liquidating into cash. Should generate between $100,000 - $ 150,000.

Wyoming – the FRN is still recovering from the fire that destroyed all documents and contact information. Hope to be on track soon, but feels that accomplishments have been too slow.

Clay – Campground has gone through permitting process. Has work completed on storm water and sewage permits with Marshall and the EPA. A new bridge across the Elk River is in progress. Received a donation of 23,000 board feet of lumber from a local donor using NIP Credits for a conference center, showers and etc.. Will be used for primitive sites in the fall. 36,000 cubic of dirt needs moved- Orders Construction doing the grading work. WVTech doing research on 8 acres for possible uses.

Speaker:

No speaker

Next meeting:

April 19, 2005 Location TBA

Adjournment

10:50 meeting adjourned

Respectfully submitted: Marcel Fortin