Cherokee County EDC adopts 2025 meeting calendar; members hear updates on housing, workforce and lake access

Erik Brinke, chairman of the Cherokee County Economic Development Commission, called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. April 24 at the Murphy Electric Power Board meeting room and confirmed a quorum of voting members.

The commission adopted its proposed 2025 meeting calendar by motion of Randy Wiggins, seconded by Allison Ralph, and approved unanimously. The board also received a series of partner updates covering infrastructure work, workforce initiatives, recreation and tourism concerns, and local commercial activity.

Mayor Tim Radford said the downtown water-line project is complete and the town is seeking funds to extend lines to the eastern part of Murphy; he also announced the Valley River Apartments grand opening scheduled for April 25 behind Walmart at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Keevin Woody said the county schools’ annual Farm Day for third-graders went well.

Cal Stiles and Randy Wiggins reported on the Senior VA project and confirmed completion of an ADA-compliant bathroom at the Rock Gym. They said bids will be issued for timber clearing at the Industrial Park, and that the former Building Inspector’s office across from Downtown Pizza will be declared surplus but could remain in limited use for secure evidence storage while legal disputes between the sheriff’s office and the district attorney continue.

Larry Kernea of the Murphy Electric Power Board reported the utility’s move to AMI meters, steady work on the casino expansion and “huge” investment at the Marble data center site. Kernea urged action on lake-access and lake-related projects in light of TVA safety plans at Lake Chatuge and suggested a public–private approach for maintaining Hanging Dog Campground; Commissioner Cal Stiles added that Rep. Gillespie is pursuing conversion of the area to a North Carolina park, and that Commissioner Troxler is not cooperating with that plan.

Victoria Ivie of the Cherokee County Chamber said the Chamber completed a strategic-plan retreat and promoted upcoming events including Andrews Spring Fling, the Murphy Spring event May 3, and the Forks & Corks event in June. Steve Dickey reported hotel traffic has been down about 20 percent recently. Allison Ralph said the West End Plaza is under contract and will be renamed Red Horse Plaza.

Paul Worley and Aaron Patton, representing TCCC, described a new apprenticeship-focused “Academy” starting with health care, a TCCC housing initiative expected by summer, and plans for a cultural arts building. They said the county has seen fewer large projects requiring natural gas and more traditional projects (food and timber-related), and that local employment data should be updated to reflect recent trends.

Worley and Brinke urged the commission to re-establish its top three priorities; members agreed staff would solicit input and explore whether leftover grant funds could pay to update the recent housing study.

There was no public comment. With no further business, Larry Kernea moved to adjourn, Randy Wiggins seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

The commission adopted the calendar and tasked staff to collect member priorities and data updates; no substantive policy actions were taken at the meeting.