Promises Kept: Mitchell County

• Secured 21st Century economic development assistance from the Dept. of Commerce

• Obtained almost $2.8 Million in low-wealth & small county school grants

• Secured a $300,000 job incentive grant for Mitchell County

• Obtained $400,000 grant for Penland School of Crafts, encouraging entrepreneurship in hand-made crafts

• Secured $400,000 to improve Beaver Creek Reservoir in Spruce Pine

• Obtained $2.3 million grant for Mitchell County Schools to improve student performance

• Secured $90,000 grant to fund innovative dropout prevention program

• Funded transformation of Bakersville’s historic courthouse into much-needed performing arts and civic space with $25,000 planning grant for architectural services and $200,000 implementation grant

• Designated 850 acres on Yellow Mountain as protected natural heritage area

• Worked with Rural Center to obtain grants for the Carolina Theater and improved water/sewer services to Mitchell County High School

• Designated Bakersville and Spruce Pine as Trout Heritage cities