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EDC elects officers, plans to forge ahead with new identity

By Rose Hooper
At its annual meeting Feb. 21, the Economic Development Commission of Jackson County elected the following officers: Tom McClure, chairman; Wendy Cagle, vice chairman; and Delos Monteith, secretary/treasurer.

At the end of last year, the EDC began moves to establish its own identity, McClure said, and that movement will continue this year.

"Several months ago we had meetings with the county chair, county attorney and finance officer about moving ahead with our own identity. They all agreed that was the way we should go," McClure said. "Our EDC is strong because we exist with all the municipalities, not just the county."

With that said, county commissioners tabled discussion Feb. 17 regarding transferring EDC funds out of the county budget. "(The EDC) will set its own policy (following the transfer)," said county attorney Raymond Large. "If anyone has a problem with the EDC, they won't come to us anymore."

Questions concerning the EDC's move toward independence were lobbed at the commission from members of the press, whose concerns stemmed from the sometimes secret nature of the EDC's effort to bring jobs to Jackson County.

Should the move be approved, the EDC will continue to use county resources in the form of Tamera Crisp, who serves as director of both economic development and planning. The EDC would then reimburse the county for her time, said finance officer Darlene Fox.

"There's no way we could not have open meetings," said Crisp following the Feb. 17 meeting.

Membership in the EDC is appointed by the governing boards of the county (three appointees), the town of Sylva (two appointees), and the towns of Dillsboro, Webster and Village of Forest Hills (one each). In addition, a representative from Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College round out this 10-member commission.

Based on population, the county and each municipality contributes financially to the EDC.

McClure said that the General Statues of North Carolina, Chapter 158, allow the EDC its own identity. Part of that identity would include hiring an executive director and managing its own financial affairs, he said.

"We really need our own identity with an office and a sign," McClure said, indicating the new Chamber of Commerce building would be perfect for them.

McClure, who had met with officials from Public Service Co. of Asheville, provided an update on natural gas lines into Jackson County. The lines, which are coming from the former Dayco plant in Haywood County, should be in place here by heating season 2001, he reported.

The route is anticipated to follow DOT right-of-way along U.S. 74, branching off to Skyland Drive and Cope Creek. Lines would extend to Cullowhee to serve WCU and to the Jackson Industrial Park in the other direction.

"Jackson County is phase two of the gas company's expansion project, with phase three going into Swain County. The cost of both phases is anticipated around $30 million," McClure told the EDC at its Monday night meeting at Southwestern Community College. Partial funding comes through the N.C. Utilities Commission and the $200 million bond referendum approved by voters statewide in 1998.

News Editor Lisa Majors-Duff contributed to this report.

Back to Archive: 02/24/00.