2024 G.R.E.A.T Projects
- Public Wi-Fi.
- Direct Optical Fiber to the Business District.
- Digital Literacy
- Greenway Plan
- High School Work Force Incubator
- Main Street Rock Wall Repair
- Strategic Tourism Marketing Plan
- Graham County Fitness Center
- Mural Building
Public Wi-Fi
This has been a project on the books for a long time. We worked with Balsam West, Business and Property owners to make this project possible. We have good coverage from Five Point down 129 to the Boars Nest, up to the court house and back down to Five point. This is a free service to anyone in Robbinsville. This is a gig service which has very fast speeds. There are limitations on how far it will go and will not work through some buildings. Very grateful to all business and property owner who allowed us to install the equipment on their property.
BEAD Broad Band Equity Access Deployment Grant
Problem: Affordability, Availability and Dependability
BEAD is a 9 million dollars grant in the state of North Carolina. We have a opportunity to be awarded up to 8 million dollars for Graham County for broadband infrastructure.
Some of our businesses are paying for two services because both forms of internet they have are not dependable. We have businesses that keep a sign available saying cash only because the internet goes out so often. We have businesses that have signs they keep available saying, “Cash Only” or “WIFI Down” because of the frequency they lose service. This is not good for customers or business owners. Historically it has cost thousands of dollars to get fiber hooked up, not counting the monthly bill. One nonprofit paid over $6,000 to get fiber installed across the road. We have a business in town that paid $45,000 to have it installed to their business. We need dependable, affordable Optical Fiber for our economic growth and stability of our businesses. Affordable access is crucial! We would like to use grant dollars to build the infrastructure so there will not be a up front cost to the customers.
Our Plan: Is to access grant dollars to run fiber to every business in the business district of Robbinsville NC. Then run fiber to home on the main roads and sub divisions, then to any back roads and side roads as possible. We are not going to get enough money in this grant to run fiber to every home. We do believe we can reach up to 60-65% of Graham county homes, through this BEAD grant.
When you look at the FCC data versus the Speed test data there is a massive discrepancy. The FCC data shows that a large area in green, saying that this area is covered with a 100/20 to 200/50 download speed and this is so far from the truth.
When you put the speed test on top of the FCC data it clearly shows how the FCC data is incorrect, or at best misleading. Speed testing shows that the majority of speeds are far below the 25/3 threshold of being served. The benchmark for broadband is 100/20 mbps and we are nowhere near that as a county. We need to challenge the FCC data that is clearly incorrect.
A Thriving Business District
Our hope it to expand broadband to the business district and as many homes in Robbinsville North Carolina as possible. As a Tier 1 community that relies heavily on tourism as an economic driver, it is vital for our economic development that we have a stable, fast internet source.
Digital Literacy
We offer Free Digital Literacy classes at Five Point Center. Our plan is to help people learn who are struggling to use their devices like computers, smart phones and tablets. We have a 10am and a 1pm classes on Wednesday. Helping the community in enter this new digital world. We do have devices for those who cannot afford one. The student can keep the device but must come to at least four classes. We plan to expand Digital Literacy by opening up more classes in the future. There is a possibility of opening a Spanish class in the near future, along with more Digital Literacy classes.
Greenway Project
Robbinsville Greenway System Design Concept This planned greenway system would follow an underutilized asset throughout the community – the waterways. Robbinsville is fortunate to have three waterways converging in the vicinity of downtown – Long Creek, Tallulah Creek, and Sweetwater Creek. These three streams converge to form the Cheoah River just north of downtown, eventually feeding Lake Santeetlah. Currently, these waterways are neglected and underutilized; the creation of a greenway system would help highlight these waterways as a true asset to the community. The design vision calls for creating a greenway system along the Cheoah River, Long Creek, and Sweetwater Creek, while creating pocket parks along the way for residents and tourists alike to stop and enjoy. The focal point of this greenway network would be the creation of a large Roadside Park along US 129, tempting the many tourists passing by to stop and explore Robbinsville. Amenities in this park would include a monument dedicated to the founding of Robbinsville with interpretive educational exhibit. Two large covered pavilions for motorcyclists to escape the weather, restrooms for motorists, picnic tables throughout the park, stream access for pedestrians and kayakers, and ample roadside parking spaces. Roadside Park, situated at the confluence of two streams, serves as connection point for the eastern and western segments of greenway.
High School Work Force Incubator
The Incubator project will move three successful businesses form the high school to a main street venue. The program will allow students to earn certificates, experience, real life work situations and it will provide educational opportunities from entrepreneurship to business management, all while providing employment to our local community. Names of the successful businesses are: Off the Leash – Doggie Treats, Knight Imprinting, and Coffee and Sandwich shop. This project will be held at 129 N Main Street. Robbinsville NC 28771. This project will begin in April of 2024.
Main Street Rock Wall Repair
This project will begin in April of 2024.
Strategic Tourism Marketing Plan
In the late Summer 2021, Graham County Economic Action Team contracted with Place + Main Advisors, LLC to assist in the creation of a Strategic Tourism Marketing Plan, a component of the Graham County Strategic Plan. Place + Main Advisors spent a week on the ground in Graham County meeting with local tourism groups and getting a better understanding of the area and the tourism product. The stakeholders had the opportunity to share an overview of current marketing efforts, provide feedback and insight on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to tourism in Graham County. Additionally, an online survey was offered for those unable to meet in-person or other tourism-related stakeholders. The following document is meant to complement and enhance the existing marketing currently being accomplished by the local and county-wide tourism development authority. Place + Main Advisors recommends an annual review session with local tourism stakeholders to obtain feedback, assess the plan, and modify for future decisions
Graham County Fitness Center
Snowbird Matriarch Mural
In 2015, Michelle Shiplet, Dorel Ammons and TJ Holland sat down and had an idea to highlight the Snowbird Cherokee community in a way that Robbinsville has never seen. The Snowbird community is 50 miles southwest of the main Cherokee reservation and is off the path from the regular tourist route. The Snowbird Cherokee people have been able to maintain high levels of traditionalism because of this distance factor. Graham county has scattered reservations lands throughout, this is unlike the larger reservation in Cherokee that is made up of a large tract of land. With this there are sprinkles of rich Cherokee culture that don’t always get the same recognition that the main reservation has. The GREAT foundation wanted this to change. When they were able to secure a Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation grant on the main street of Robbinsville, they found that the most renowned people of the Snowbird community should get the spotlight; the matriarchs that have held the community together.
