The Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Mitchell County Chamber of Commerce have just approved a Memorandum of Association (MoA) for an operational partnership. This agreement earmarks financial backing from the EDC to the Chamber.
Goals for the Chamber set forth within the MoA emphasize membership growth, enhanced community engagement, and financial sustainability.
Key initiatives for the Chamber stipulated in the MoA include the establishment of a business plan for new revenue-generating events and proactive member engagement strategies. The Chamber will be required to host quarterly meetings with local business and tourism leaders.
Additionally, the Chamber is tasked with creating valuable member resources and organizing a dedicated committee to promote and expand the Mineral & Gem Festival.
Matt Ward, the EDC Director will be added to the Chamber Executive Committee and act as the Chamber Assistant Director. An EDC board member will also be added to the Chamber’s executive committee.
The agreement mandates the Chamber contracts a local CPA to oversee all bookkeeping and implement accounting best practices, with regular financial reporting by the Chamber to the EDC in order to receive funds.
Mitchell Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber operates a business membership organization that advocates for its members.
According to Chamber Director Mandi Polly operational funds come from “membership dues, proceeds from events such as the Mineral & Gem Festival, ads in the Visitor Center and the annual dinner. The Chamber gets a small amount of funding from the towns,” said Polly.
Polly said that the only major changes to structure with the partnership is that Ward will be the assistant Chamber Director and two positions from the EDC board will be added to the Chamber Board and executive committee.
Chamber board members are elected by the membership. Gene Self of the ECU School of Dental Medicine currently serves as chairman of the Chamber board.
Self said the partnership with the EDC will be a positive move for both entities.
“It will help the Chamber re-focus our efforts on business development,” said Self, saying the mission of the Chamber goes hand-in-hand and compliments the mission of the EDC.
“Our focus is on growing small business, supporting small businesses, finding out what they need and helping them by offering programs such as lunch and learn, small business development programs, and workshops. This partnership will help us to be more self-sustaining,” said Self. “We’ve had an excellent working relationship with the EDC, with Ward and the EDC Board Chairman Chuck Vines. They have been really helpful. Matt does a great job and adding his knowledge and experience to our mission will benefit all our members and the business community.”
The Chamber office, which has been located on Crystal Street in Spruce Pine, will be moving to the Mitchell County Visitor Center just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. In exchange for staffing The Market on Oak, the Chamber had received free office space. With the closing of The Market, the Chamber office will relocate to the Visitor Center located inside the National Park Service NC Minerals Museum.
“This will be a good move,” said Self. “Previously the Chamber offices had been located in the Visitor Center. This partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway will allow for us to have staff on site 12-months a year.”
Typically, the Visitor Center is closed during the winter months. Having Chamber staff on location will allow it to remain open year-round. The Center averages 70,000+ visitors a year.
Self sees this as an opportunity to encourage visitors to get off the Parkway and visit the towns and communities of Mitchell County.
Economic Development Commission
The EDC was established by the Mitchell County Board of Commissioners through a provision of the North Carolina General Statutes. The EDC’s mission is to provide leadership in the general economic development of Mitchell County by aiding and encouraging the location of manufacturing enterprises and industrial and commercial plants, encouraging the building of railroads, highways and extensions of water and sewer facilities. Sarah Quintas
editor@mitchellnews.com
Previously, the Economic Development Commission (EDC) and the Chamber of Commerce were combined entities in Mitchell County. However, in 2001, a decision was made to separate them to enhance financial responsibility and liability management among the organizations. “The EDC board is established by state statute, and a definition of who is responsible for financial actions and liability needs to be improved,” said County Manager Robert Wiseman during the separation process. This change aimed to ensure that the EDC and Chamber board of directors would independently manage their financial administration and personnel issues. Additionally, it was decided that representation from the Mitchell County commissioners on the EDC board was essential, similar to the library board in relationship with the county.
The EDC receives funding from Mitchell County. In the 2023 – 2024 county budget, $180,000 was allocated for operations of the EDC, which is led by a board of directors with Bakersville Mayor Chuck Vines serving as the chairman.
Ward, the EDC executive director, was hired in June of 2022. His total compensation package is $104,250. He is an employee of Mayland Community College. The EDC reimburses Mayland Community College for the director salary and benefits.
The Mitchell County Development Foundation
The Michell County Development Foundation was established as a 501©3 as a craft-based program designed to create cottage industry employment and provide entrepreneurial training, primarily for displaced manufacturing sector workers and beginning artisans.
As a means to market work by local artists the Foundation established The Market on Oak, a retail store which has been operational for the past 20 years.
The store originally began as the Home of the Perfect Christmas Tree in 2003 when author Gloria Houston gave the rights to her book “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” to the town of Spruce Pine. Eventually, the store transitioned to The Market on Oak and has supported many local artists while giving locals and tourists a unique place to shop. Over the years this project has also provided annual scholarships to local high school students to further their education.
The Foundation’s leadership made the decision to close The Market effective March 31.
Self said the Foundation has emerged as an arm of the EDC which as a 501(c)3 allows them to apply for grants that would not be available to a county entity. “I understand many EDCs have nonprofit arms,” said Self.