Nov 2 2021
CAEZ Chair Mickey Boggs
Non profit groups start out with worthy
ideals and for most part, have a strong mission statement. 25
year ago Al Gore came up with an idea. With the thumbs up of
Prez Clinton, Gore found several millions of dollars and gave to
various locally operated citizens' action groups.
Such is the beginning at the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ).
All those empowerment zones and enterprise groups have all sputtered out except for CAEZ.
Without a Director for guidance nor any full time paid staff, the goings have been rough. Adding to the mix is COVID which has limited in person Board meetings. Maybe the biggest factor is the aging factor. Most of the original dedicated volunteer Boardsters, they're gone, departed, or retired away.
Away from the public's prying eyes, there's been some stuff going on
Like, over at their Dundon Campground, the long time volunteer caretaker, groundskeeper, builder, he's gone. After several years of keeping the place well maintained and operating, he took his RV and headed to greener pastures.
More in the background is a dispute over whether they should rent out the lodge building. At this time, Lycoming RR employees (working on the FEMA / BC&G project) , three of em, want to rent the place during the cold weather months. Yelp, the Board is in an uproar questioning whether it would be beneficial to rent the lodge for $15,000 or just shut it down for the cold months. Even shut down there would be overhead expenses like electric, water, insurance and routine maintenance. It's a no brainer but they're arguing over it.
On Oct 16th, the CAEZ auctioned of their Valley Fork Grade School building for $176,000 to Cam Stewart from Maysel. CAEZ plans to keep their office space in that building and rent from Mr Stewart according to Gary Stuber. The $176K should give the agency some financial breathing room, get them thru the Winter months for sure.
They plan on having a Zoom based board meeting on Nov 2nd beginning at 6pm sharp. To get in on the zoom meeting :
Such is the beginning at the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone (CAEZ).
All those empowerment zones and enterprise groups have all sputtered out except for CAEZ.
Without a Director for guidance nor any full time paid staff, the goings have been rough. Adding to the mix is COVID which has limited in person Board meetings. Maybe the biggest factor is the aging factor. Most of the original dedicated volunteer Boardsters, they're gone, departed, or retired away.
Away from the public's prying eyes, there's been some stuff going on
Like, over at their Dundon Campground, the long time volunteer caretaker, groundskeeper, builder, he's gone. After several years of keeping the place well maintained and operating, he took his RV and headed to greener pastures.
More in the background is a dispute over whether they should rent out the lodge building. At this time, Lycoming RR employees (working on the FEMA / BC&G project) , three of em, want to rent the place during the cold weather months. Yelp, the Board is in an uproar questioning whether it would be beneficial to rent the lodge for $15,000 or just shut it down for the cold months. Even shut down there would be overhead expenses like electric, water, insurance and routine maintenance. It's a no brainer but they're arguing over it.
On Oct 16th, the CAEZ auctioned of their Valley Fork Grade School building for $176,000 to Cam Stewart from Maysel. CAEZ plans to keep their office space in that building and rent from Mr Stewart according to Gary Stuber. The $176K should give the agency some financial breathing room, get them thru the Winter months for sure.
They plan on having a Zoom based board meeting on Nov 2nd beginning at 6pm sharp. To get in on the zoom meeting :
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89635310646?pwd=dnZoVEU2QWlGcmF6MzdveVkxay93Zz09
AW