Minutes
Alliance of
Champion Communities Meeting
Clay , WV
10am-12am
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Directions
from I- 79 |
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Exit
off ramp to at exit 34 to WV 36 |
7.1
miles |
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Turn
left onto WV 4 (WV 26) |
1.9
miles |
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Continue
on WV4 |
1
mile |
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Turn
right onto WV 16 (Main Street) |
1.4
miles |
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CAEZ
office on the left at 135 Main Street |
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The meeting was called to order by Marcel Fortin
Connie Lupardus, Jerry Edens, Robert Johnson & Marcel Fortin
Approval of
Minutes
1. “ WV. Distressed Communities Broadband
Assessment Project” (BAP)
Meetings have been scheduled for all 6 communities and will
begin with Pineville on Oct.24th at
6pm, Bradshaw on Oct 25th at 6pm Clay on Oct . 26th at 1pm , Spurlockville on Nov.1st at 2pm, Belington on Nov.
8th at 6pm and Hacker Valley on Nov. 9th at 6pm. Alliance
members are encouraged to attend.
Marcel discussed that the meetings are to provide observations from all
the meetings held throughout the Alliance service area and to relate what the
providers are doing to expand their services. The next step in the process is
to create Connecteams from the active community members in each community to
continue the Broadband effort into a countywide program. The lead entity in the
survey process will lead volunteers from 8 community sectors: Business &
Industry, Education, Healthcare, Community-based Organizations, Local
Government, Tourism, Agriculture and State Government. Copies of articles that
appeared in newspapers and in the Congressman Rahall newsletter provided
insight on how this survey initiative is being used to substantiate the need to
continue expanding broadband to our rural communities.
2. 05/06 Benedum Grant
The USDA/Community Connect Foundation conference was held on Oct 2/3 and was a success. Marcel made a presentation about Observations of our BAP project and provide our brochures to the attendees.
The conference provided Marcel with the opportunity to showcase the
Alliance and to create relationships with USDA representatives from Washington,
DC. Conversations with the attendees and the conference speakers and the
networking opportunities were invaluable. The Alliance is being recognized for
its’ efforts and we need to capitalize on that and get the word out that ‘Our
communities want, need and will pay for broadband’. The providers are hearing
the message and doing whatever they can to expand their services where
possible.
3. 501c3 Status
We need to formalize our board and its officers as some of the original signees for the application are no longer on the Alliance.
Marcel briefly discussed that we need to look into assuring all members are familiar with our bylaws and that election of officers take place as prescribed. This will be an action item for our next board meeting.
Marcel
made a presentation about the coal industry and the related technologies at the
Land Use Forum in Logan sponsored by Corridor G RDA. Senator President Earl Ray
Tomblin and Congressman Nick Joe Rahall provided keynote speeches.
Discussion of how our broadband efforts are becoming part of the Land Use Masterplan acceptable uses. Jerry Edens is not aware of if their county has such a plan and will do some research. All the other attendees have knowledge of their plans, but did not realize how our efforts could help coal mines get bonds and mitigation funds released. Connie discussed the local coal operator Fola Coal Co. (Amvest?) and how they were working with Mingo County Redevelopment Authority to develop a similar strategy to develop their reclamation plans to provide a highway that would eventually meet with I-119 in Summersville. This plan would create developable sites and open areas that are extremely difficult to access.
6. Benedum Minigrant Project
Marcel met with Mary Hunt-Lieving and Jim Anderson to continue the discussion of a proposal for a minigrant project for our service area. Marcel completed and sent in an application that is pending and set to begin on Jan. 1st, 2007. See the attached proposal (communitytechminigrant1.doc).
Marcel discussed, at length, this next Benedum application and how the
Alliance would lead and benefit from its goals and objectives. The decision of
Benedum to incorporate a ‘community technology’ layer on their areas of
concentration led to this discussion and the creation of this initiative. A
copy of the application was provided and members in attendance look forward to
being involved in this project. Members Bob Johnson and Marcel Fortin have
previous experience in the minigrant process and all the members have ARC
applications in the current round that will be used as the entities capable of
seeking the minigrant funds. Marcel
said he would provide a copy of the ARC Flexigrant applicants as provided by WV
Development office. (see attached Application workshop participants.html)
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 continuation of
activities to create a Youth center and a convention center for the area. Jerry
mentioned that the CDC was going to focus on Youth and the local EDA would work
on business. The project is planned to take 4 years and will leverage the
$100,000+ that they have available.
Nicholas: Forest Heritage project
is creating a lot of interest. A brief discussion was made about the Richwood
Wireless project and Marcel provided some details as to the status of the
effort: moving forward and positive.
Clay: The CAEZ office is being
remodeled to accommodate a workforce center to provide training and services
for the county. A historical documentary is in the process conducted by the
youth of the area and should be completed by the end of November. Discussion of
the Fola coal project to create a road to Summersville is in the works. The
Sizemore General Store is being considered for purchase to create an Arts &
Craft/Museum facility. Several juried Tamarrack artisans live in the area and
would be interested in displaying/selling their wares. Peggy Ping from the US
Forest Service is working to create a river trail on the Elk River for the
region. A TEA grant has been applied for to seek funds to purchase the railroad
for trips. 66%of the property in Clay is owned by out of state entities.
Sidewalk improvements and a walking trail are in the planning stages for Clay. Proposed
activities for the area include a log raft race on the Elk and the continued
development of the campground. The campground area has been filled in with dirt
from the bridge work going on in the area and will remove the site from being
included in the 100 year flood plain. Paper work is being completed to get the
designation changed so that they can build permanent structures on the site.
Lincoln: General Chuck Yeager
monument and Welcome to Lincoln County sign was dedicated. Yeager and his wife
were present and were extremely moved by the monument. Yeager was emotional as
he mentioned the honor of having his named so prominently displayed that would
last way beyond his lifetime and for generations into the future
Speaker:
None
Nov. 15, 2007
Location: TBA
Motion: Bob Johnson Second: Connie Lupardus