Mitchell County commissioners back new long-term resiliency nonprofit and agree to draft formal support resolution

The Mitchell County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to draft a resolution of support for the newly formed Mitchell County Long-Term Resiliency Group after hearing reports from the group's leaders on ongoing recovery work from the storm.

The board approved the request after a presentation by Stephanie Pittman, chair of the Mitchell County Long-Term Resiliency Group, who described the group's nonprofit structure, case-management plans and upcoming resource fair. The board's action is a nonbinding expression of support; no county funding was approved in the motion.

The group was created after external emergency teams helped Mitchell County following the storm, Pittman told the commissioners, and has incorporated as a nonprofit with bylaws and a mission to coordinate long-term recovery efforts and avoid duplication of volunteer services. "We've worked in pulling in resources, local volunteers, local volunteer organizations that would be committed to Mitchell County long term moving forward," Pittman said during the meeting.

Starly McDowell, identified by the group as its case-management chair and treasurer, said the group has secured a grant to hire a case manager and is arranging a local resource fair to connect residents with repair and recovery services. Martin Landers, who said he has done grant writing for the group, said the organization has applied for grants including from the Red Cross and is working with volunteer agencies that perform repairs.

A county commissioner who has attended several of the group's meetings praised the organization’s structure and argued a local long-term recovery group will help the county distribute donations and coordinate volunteers more efficiently. "When one of these is done right, this is a long-term asset to the county," the commissioner said during public comment.

Commissioners moved to draft the resolution of support and the motion carried. The board did not allocate money or change county policy as part of the resolution; the action records only the decision to prepare a formal letter or resolution in support of the nonprofit's efforts.

The group said it will hold a resource fair on Saturday at the MARC Center in Bowman from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is developing a website with vetted partner organizations, the presenters told commissioners. The fair will include case-management signups, lists for volunteer repairs, and activities for children.

Next steps: the county will prepare the resolution language and present it for a future meeting; the resiliency group will continue fundraising and recruitment and expects to hire a local case manager with grant funding if awards are approved.