2003 Annual Report Executive
Summary
Clinch - Powell Enterprise Community
The
Clinch-Powell Enterprise Community continues to surpass expectations as almost $
90 million for projects and works of improvement was brought into the region as
a result of the EC status. Almost $38 million of this was from USDA Rural
Development. The EC was designated on January 13, 1999 and includes all or
portions of Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock, Hawkins and Union counties in East
Tennessee. Clinch-Powell refers to rivers running through the counties. The
Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation and Development Council serves as the lead
entity and fiscal agent for the Enterprise Community: a board of twenty
directors from the region governs the EC. “A community of opportunity where
People and Business prosper.”
Partners and agencies such as Clinch Powell
Educational Cooperative, Douglas Cherokee Economic Authority, Utility Districts,
School Systems, Volunteer Fire Departments and others are directly benefiting
from the designation of the EC. Most importantly, the quality of life is
improving with better water, housing, education, emergency services and a
brighter economic future. Here is a brief summary of projects in 2003 listed by
focus area made possible for partners with assistance from many public and
private funding agencies and the Enterprise Community designation.
Sustainable
Economic Development
Clinch-Powell Community Kitchen/ Appalachian Spring
Cooperative – All Counties
Clinch-Powell Revolving Loan Fund through Rural
Business Enterprise Grant of $99,000 to CP RC&D –
All Counties: two loans made
to start-up businesses (one: woman owned minority business):
Phipps Bend Small
Business Park – Hawkins County
Holston Business Incubator-Hawkins County
Board
Initiative: Allocation of $90,000 for Arts/Crafts Incubator/shop
Board
Initiative: Revolving Loan Fund $80,000.00 for business expansion
Board
Initiative: Allocation of $2,500 for Ag Leadership Program
Clinch-Powell
Industrial Recruiter:
· Represents the EC at various trade shows throughout the
US
· Discusses EC Revolving Loan Fund and RBEG RLF with business owners
Tourism
Education and Arts
Basic Needs
Quality
Communities
Board
The 2003-2004 Board of
Directors is:
Board Initiative: “Not Barn Yesterday Phase II: A Clothesline of Quilts in
Appalachia” barn quilt block murals started in five counties. The EC matched an
East TN Foundation/TAC grant in 2002 to create two full size barn murals in two
counties. The Board has made an allocation of $7,500.00 for phase II. The TN
Arts Commission’s Arts Build Communities Project awarded a grant for $1,400.00
with $1,400.00 EC cash match to Grainger County for 2004. Three other grants are
pending for this project: NEA/Forestry Service for $15,000.00 with $3,750.00
in-kind match, East TN Foundation for $3,000.00 with $3,000.00 EC cash match,
and TN Arts Commission’s Rural Arts Project for $6,000 with $6,000 EC cash
match.
21st Century Community Learning Center - Claiborne
Project SUCCESS (Alcohol and Drug Abuse) – All Counties
Appalachia CARES – All
Counties
Board Initiative: $75,000 allocation for a youth program i.e.
Boys/Girls Clubs Infrastructure
Water and Waste Grants and Loans – Hawkins,
Hancock, Grainger
Tele-Democracy Video-Conferencing Network – All Counties
Scenic By-Ways Coalition- Claiborne, Grainger, Hancock
Single Family
Housing Grants and Loans – All Counties
HOME Team: Homebuyer Education Classes:
Three people completed the classes and 25 people were seen for a total of 40
hours counseling.
Board Initiative: Allocation of $81,104 revolving fund to
build single-family homes (first home completed in Claiborne County and
currently for sale)
Board Initiative: Allocation of $71,000 to purchase a home
to be used as a domestic violence shelter in a county without a shelter. We will
partner with an existing service provider to accomplish this goal.
Clinch-Powell Community Fund with the East Tennessee Foundation:
$5,000 initial investment in 2002.
Board Initiative: Allocation of $3,000 for
training, VISTA worker or advertising the fund Board.
The EC Board of Directors includes three voting members from each EC counties
and six other non-voting members including the County Executives and a
representative of the Clinch-Powell RC&D Council.
Claiborne – Tom Mottern, Joyce Hopson, Frances Rasnic, Bob Walker, Fred Parker,
Carol Campbell, John Fultz
Grainger –Larry Fox, Dana Dalton
Hancock – Steve Hodges, Kim Belcher, Crit Rasnic, Melissa Wallen, Christy
Livesay, Candy Lamb
Hawkins – Nancy Barker
Union – Jane Bowman, Grace Helton, Kathleen Graves
Clinch-Powell RC&D Liaison– Cherry Acuff