Strategic Plan for GREAT
September 2021-2024
Approved by the Board of Directors on August 30, 2021.
Mission:
GREAT is a partnership of citizens that addresses the health, social, economic, educational, and recreational needs of Graham County residents, while preserving its cultural heritage and natural resources and instilling pride in community and place.
Vision:
Graham County is a place where traditional Appalachian culture lives, people flourish and businesses thrive and prosper.
Priority Goals:
The priority goals continue to focus on seven key “economic drivers” along with an eighth goal focused on internal operations:
1. Business and Economic Development
2. Education and Workforce Development
3. Tourism and Mountain Culture
4. Revitalization and Infrastructure
5. Leadership Development
6. Natural Resources, Recreation and Water Quality
7. Health and Social 8. Internal Operations
Goals and Strategies
1. Business and Economic Development
Goal: Improve the climate for existing businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive and connect to recruitment of new firms.
Strategies:
a) Support effective business recruitment.
b) Support and assist existing businesses growth.
c) Develop creative entrepreneurial opportunities.
d) Support the development of tools and resources for economic development.
2. Education and Workforce Development
Goal: Equip Graham County citizens, including high school students and young adults, with skills that are needed now and that will be needed in the future, support business and industry needs, and help people lead productive lives.
Strategies:
a) Support strategies to assist businesses with the workforce development needs.
b) Support the needs of Graham County schools in efforts to provide the highest quality education.
3. Tourism and Mountain Culture
Goal: Maximize travel and tourism opportunities as core contributors to business growth and quality of life while protecting valuable natural assets.
Strategies:
a) Support a tourism plan to strategically promote Graham County.
b) Expand and enhance the opportunities to preserve and promote Graham County’s mountain culture.
c) Support health and wellness by promoting natural resources and destinations by encouraging the use of developed trails and outdoor activities.
4. Revitalization and Infrastructure
Goal: Enhance Graham County’s infrastructure, towns, and communities to support identified needs, tourism, recreation and quality of life.
Strategies:
a) Support the implementation of reimagining Robbinsville plan.
b) Support the enhancement of county-wide broadband and internet capability.
c) Support the plan for improvement to existing roads.
d) Support affordable housing.
5. Leadership Development
Goal: Build county leadership capacity and interaction. Strategies:
a) Promote non-partisan leadership training opportunities.
b) Encourage leadership and involvement among young adults.
c) Increase collaborations and partnerships with government.
d) Recruit and train volunteers.
6. Natural Resources, Recreation and Water Quality
Goal: Maximize sustainable recreation opportunities as core contributors to business growth and quality of life while protecting valuable natural resources.
Strategies:
a) Improve existing and create new community based recreation facilities and infrastructure.
b) Assist in the sustainability and preservation of natural resources.
c) Improve and enhance nature-based (eco/ag) tourism.
7. Health and Social
Goal: Improve the health and social climate to position it as a model for quality of life in a mountain community.
Strategies:
a) Improve the health and well-being of citizens of Graham County.
b) Bring awareness about mental health and substance abuse.
c) Improve physical activity among citizens of Graham County.
d) Support increased access to health care.
e) Improve the social well-being and quality of life for the county’s citizens.
8. Internal Operations
Goal: Support effective operations and growth for GREAT.
Strategies:
a) Increase the engagement of active committees of volunteers focused on core priority areas for GREAT and for the community.
b) Diversify involvement in GREAT and expand local partnerships.
c) Develop financial strategies to support GREAT’s staffing and programming needed for expanded impact in the community.
Appendix
A Summary of Strategic Planning Process
GREAT undertook a robust planning process from November 2020 through August 2021 to develop a plan to guide the organization through 2024. This plan builds upon the 2013 – 2015 plan and includes ideas for reengaging committees and community members following the limitations on meeting during the pandemic.
The process was led by Executive Director Michelle Shiplet and the Board of Directors and was facilitated by HunterKemper Consulting. The process included:
* Reviewing information related to various aspects of the organization;
* Engaging key stakeholders in 9 phone or video interviews;
* Refining the mission and vision statements;
* Conducting three board planning sessions and two committee chair planning sessions;
* Hosting an Annual Meeting on July 15 that included presentations by Committee Chairs to inform and recruit volunteers; and
* Collecting community input through a print and electronic survey with 64 surveys completed.
Based on community and volunteer input, the strategic plan was developed, and it was reviewed and refined by the Board of Directors, with final approval on August 30, 2021.
Board Members Involved in Strategic Planning Process
* Jim Baker, Board of Directors; Chair of Natural Resources, Recreation & Water Quality Committee
* Joe Bonnette, Vice Chair, Board of Directors
* Beth Booth, Board of Directors; Chair of Health and Social Committee
* Glenda Bradley, Secretary, Board of Directors
* Chip Carringer, Board of Directors ·
*Yvette Carringer, Board of Directors
* Rick Davis, Chair, Board of Directors; Chair of Revitalization and Infrastructure Committee
* Dick Evans, Board of Directors; Chair of Leadership Development Committee
* Jim Hager, Board of Directors; Chair of Business and Economic Development Committee
* Marcia Hollifield, Board of Directors
* Mary Millsaps, Board of Directors
* Zelerie Rogers, Board of Directors; Chair of Tourism and Mountain Culture Committee
* Erica Sawyer, Board of Directors; Chair of Education and Workforce Development Committee
* Pam Shaffer, Treasurer, Board of Directors
* Karen Taylor, Board of Directors
* Michelle Shiplet, Executive Director