The mission of the Madison County Tourism and Economic Development Partnership is to
encourage greater utilization of available resources and funding streams to strengthen our ability
to actively pursue economic opportunities for growth, so that the citizens of Madison County can
live a more productive and full life.
Minutes
Madison County Economic Development Partnership Advisory Board
May 28, 2013 Meeting
The Madison County Economic Development Partnership Advisory Board met on May
28, 2013 at 5:30 pm at the Cooperative Extension Center. The following members of the
advisory board were present: Laura Boosinger, Connie Buckner, Gerrie DeLoach, Greg
Edwards, Dan Gallagher, Forrest Gilliam, Joy Kish, Connie Molland, Lawrence Ponder,
Vickie Sealock, Jan Shepard, Callie Wellendorf. The following guest participants were
also present: Ryan Cody, Shannon Dexter, Debbie Davis, Rick Molland, and Dave
Wellendorf.
Upon motion by Joy Kish, seconded by Vickie Sealock, the minutes of the April 23
meeting of the Advisory Board were approved by voice vote.
Announcements
Tammie Whitlock will report to the EDP monthly regarding new businesses that have
signed up with the Chamber. Ideas are welcome regarding how the EDP can get
information about other new businesses that may not have joined the Chamber.
Update on Tourism Posters and Maps
Connie Molland passed around a copy of the new tourism promotional posters published
by the Tourism Development Authority. The Communications committee will assist with
distributing additional copies to locations throughout the county. The TDA approved
money to double the number of Tourism Maps that were initially printed due to
overwhelming requests from businesses throughout the county. 20,000 maps will now be
printed.
State Budget Update
Forrest Gilliam provided an update regarding the status of the state budget pertaining to
proposed cuts to regional economic development partnerships (Advantage West), Golden
LEAF, and the Rural Economic Development Center. The three agencies have invested
millions for various economic transition initiatives in Madison County.
Upon motion by Connie Molland, seconded by Callie Wellendorf, the Advisory Board
voted unanimously to authorize Chair Shepard to send a letter to Sue Vilcinskas, Chair of
the Board of Commissioners, outlining the potential negative effects of such budget cuts
on Madison County.
Committee Breakout
Connie Molland described to members the “tree exercise” for each committee to go
through when prioritizing their goals, using the existing list of improvement items as well
as new ideas from each committee. Summaries of each committee’s work are listed
below:
Best Practices Committee
Chair: Gerrie DeLoach
30 Day Plan: Committee members will make initial contact with two counties
chosen from the western region regarding their
recommendations/experiences/approaches to economic development (from Low
Hanging, Low Priority)
Tree Exercise:
High Hanging/High Priority
 Broadband expansion
 Certified Entrepreneurial
Community
Low Hanging/High Priority
 Each committee member to
select staff in two WNC
counties to find out their
recommendations for economic
development activities.
 Determine the Tier Status for
each county contacted.
High Hanging/Low Priority
 Reserve this space for identified
initiatives that are discovered
that are difficult and have a
lower return.
Low Hanging/Low Priority
 Select counties outside North
Carolina to research economic
development plans (border
states).
Data/Research
Chair: Vickie Sealock
30 Day Plan: Gain a basic understanding of the role utility rates play in economic
development and how Madison County’s rates compare. Get background
information on status of high speed internet access in Madison County.
Tree Exercise:
High Hanging/High Priority
 Increase in the amount of
developable land that is served
by adequate infrastructure
High Hanging/Low Priority
 Green building (from a
research standpoint)




Research available funding
sources for economic
development projects/initiatives
Review existing and past (5
years) county and regional plans
and studies (planning and
economic development)
Audit of infrastructure
capabilities
Legality/procedures regarding
economic development
incentives
Low Hanging/High Priority
 Existing business outreach: start
with visits to largest
manufacturing employers.
Low Hanging/Low Priority
 Increased number of festivals
(look first at increasing
coordination and marketing for
existing events)
Communications/Publicity
Chair: Callie Wellendorf, Debbie Davis
30 Day Plan:
1. Create an email distribution list for our committee for ease of
communication within the group.
2. Talk with The News Record & Sentinel about having the opportunity for a
monthly EDP column. Column would include “fun facts” about
businesses in Madison County that citizens may not be aware of (number
of customers, countries of origin, etc.).
3. Assist with the distribution of posters that were created by the
TDA/Visitors Center.
Tree Exercise:
High Hanging/High Priority
 County-wide anti-littering
campaign
Low Hanging/High Priority
 Better communication about
successful businesses
High Hanging/Low Priority
 Opportunities for youth
recreation/activity
Low Hanging/Low Priority
 Better communication regarding
the quality of the school system.