April 28, 2003 Meeting Notes

EXTERNAL RELATIONS & RESOURCES SUBCOMMITTEE
Summary Points

Group Objective: The objective of this subcommittee is to 1) communicate key messages about the project to various audiences, and 2) to identify sources of funds to use in the development and operation of the mini-hub.

Subcommittee Members:
Pete Averette, Granville County Commissioner
Jimmy Clayton, Person County Commissioner
Allen Kimball, Warren County, EDC Director
Don Lancaster, Franklin County, EDC Member
Robert Miller, Vance Granville Community College, President
Dr. H. James Owen, Piedmont Community College, President
Sam Watkins, Vance County EDC Member

Committee Coordinator, Jane Ball-Groom, COG Staff

Meetings Held: March 31, 2003 and April 16, 2003. Both meetings were held at the Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments:

I. Subcommittee Discussion & Progress

A. Developing the Message:

• Key Audiences: Exploratory Committee members (all subcommittees), County Commissioners, Business & Industry, & general public
  
• Key Messages – Communicate the benefits of the regional hub to the Kerr-Tar Region – major points:
  
• Mini-hub concept is not new – recommended by both the Vision 2030 project and the Rural Prosperity Task Force
  
• Stress the importance and necessity of regional collaboration
  
• The hub project is a collaboration of local governments in the region and is not driven by the COG or UNC
  
• Can provide benefits to each county; e.g., each county can obtain a certified site from the site selection process in a proposed grant project – for submission to Golden LEAF
  
• The regional hub can be a stimulus to improve quality of life for area citizens, e.g., better jobs, reduced or less stressful commute to work.
  
• Showcase good examples of collaboration, e.g., Vance Granville water system
  
• Business community – some types of businesses are more economical here than in urban areas
  
• Key Products Drafted: a fact sheet with key messages and definitions about the project; and a press release communicating the organization, development, and benefits of the regional hub project

B. External Funding Opportunities:

• Pursue the possibility of a multi-county grant for submission to the Golden LEAF Foundation. Golden LEAF set aside $5 million for the development of more certified sites in North Carolina. Regional partnerships can apply at any time of year, not just during the annual grant cycle. The idea is to apply as a five-county region under one application to certify one site each.

II. Recommendations to the Full Committee:

• Name for the Project: Kerr-Tar Hub. This removes the “mini-“ prefix and establishes a regional identity for the project. If the project is successful it will be a development hub for the region. Its connections to the “maxi” hub in the RTP will strengthen it even further.
  
• Seek funding for five certified sites from Golden LEAF. See above.

III. Next Meeting Date:

• Date and Time: Monday, May 5, 2003, 9:45 am
• Place: Council of Governments office