Minutes
Alliance of
Champion Communities Meeting
Conference
Call Meeting
1-888-296-6500
Guest code: 526748 (NEW NUMBER)
10am-12am
The meeting was called to order by Marcel Fortin
Connie Lupardus, Dick Bartlett, Steve Reynolds, Jim Thompson, Jerry Edens & Marcel Fortin
______________________________________________________________________.
Approval of
Minutes
Motion: Connie Lupardus Second: Jerry Edens All vote: Yes
1. 05/06 Benedum Grant
Marcel Fortin provided information on the Status of the Benedum grant.
The paperwork was finalized and funds would be deposited into the Barbour
County CDC account as soon as they receive signed copies. The grant is for $
35,000.00 and is to complete our 2005 operational plan as defined in our June
retreat.
Discussed the website and how to take
advantage of the site to promote the Alliance. Jerry Edens asked about creating
a Yellow Pages section for the site. Steve Reynolds recommended a password
protected area that he is working on to provide for Champion Communities an
area to upload pictures and to include Yellow Pages type data. Connie Lupardus asked about including a list
of members contact information on the site.
Discussion on what we need to do to
reinvigorate our Champions. A survey was recommended developed and sent to
formerly active members to ask why they became inactive. Lack of interest/ lack
of time, etc. It was also recommended that the survey be pasted in the email
body for those members that do not have Word.
2. 501c3 Status
Marcel Fortin discussed the status of the
exemption application. The attorneys had not processed the application as of
yet due to vacation. Marcel expressed frustration with the attorneys and they
apologized and completed the work and documentation went to IRS on Sept 15th.
Hopefully, we should know something within a month or so.
3. The ARC “WV Distressed Communities Telecommunications & Technology
Initiative
The application was completed and delivered
by the Sept 1 deadline. The 1 year initiative will service 3 communities in
Mingo County and is in partnership with Corridor G RDA. The Alliance will
assist in outreach and management of the project. This is a pilot project and
if successful will be replicated to other areas. The application is similar to
the project that was not funded last year which was a 3 year -10 community
effort. There was lot of support for the project, but was not signed off by the
Governor.
4. Heritage Tourism Workshop followups Reports
Mary Hunt-Lieving recommended that as part
of the grant that we use the Heritage Tourism reports from the communities that
participated and determine commonalties that the Alliance can focus on. This
could be one project that can develop ideas on how the Alliance can benefit
other communities to promote the Heritage Tourism projects.
Connie Lupardus discussed their second
follow up meeting scheduled for Oct 13th with Mitzi Miller. She
mentioned that by working with a core group that has been involved from the
beginning they continue to stay motivated and determined to have positive
results. Marcel
Fortin asked how she got people
involved. She mentioned mailing postcards, attending many
community meetings in the area and, of course, feeding the groups.
Heritage Tourism Committee Report
No Report
Broadband Committee Report
Marcel
Fortin discussed the efforts for the WV Distressed Community Telecommunication
and Technology initiative and how it would be a pilot project combining
outreach to aggregate demand for Broadband to be deployed in 3 communities.
Without promotion of the value of Broadband the takeup rate for the service is
too slow for Providers to invest.
2005 Operational plan Committee Report
No Report
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.
Clay County has leased an area
for a trail head and campsite. They are sending an ARC tourism grant
application for the train project. Their microloan program has been active with
business loans and home repair. Have had great articles in the paper and have
100% loan repayments. Projects include a detail shop, logging, car repair and a
flower shop. Sees positive results and are encouraged with the efforts of the
program.
Barbour County have been very busy
in providing grantwriting services for
their
communities.
Jerry Edens mentioned that the local County fair was in progress and much of
his
time
was involved in assisting other groups write and process their grant
application.
Speaker:
No speaker
Oct 19, 2005 Conference call meeting
Adjourned 11:20pm
Respectfully submitted: Marcel J. Fortin