Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone
Oct 2022
   This is sort of meeting coverage from the Oct 2022 CAEZ meeting held over at their Dundon Campground. Sort of.
  The non profit group's meetings have been lifeless for several years. Ditto for their projects, grant writing and service to the community.
   For this meeting, Chair Micky Boggs really didn't run the meeting. Instead, Past Chair Michael Martin managed the motions and direction.
  There was a contingent from the Solomon's Secret committee present seeking a more permanent home for their home grown outdoor drama held each year around Big Apple time.  What we gathered from this meeting..... There were some problems with campers near the production site this year and an issue with being charged for use of a campground shelter ($400). Didn't hear a vote on keeping the drama group on the scene but it felt like consensus: you can stay.
  Now, the whole reason for taking space for this do nothing, or at least do little, meeting.
   CAEZ owns the Dundon campground. Lacking real $$$ to grow the place into a tourism draw and with the State Park near by, the BC&G RR spur line at their front door, ERTS hiking trail along another property border, you get the point, that campground is very important to tourism efforts in County Clay.
  You've been reading about that $250 million grant program now being offered by Delegate Roger Hanshaw. That pot of money is suppose to be sort of easy to get and large enough for major improvements. Take for instance, the Town of Clay has applied for $1.5 million grant to actually improve municipal sidewalks in the downtown area.
   When we asked about which project they applied for, CAEZ leadership responded with: we haven't heard a thing about it! Oh my!
  What we're getting to is, some agency, maybe the County Commission, should apply for the grant, purchase the Dundon Campground, remodel what's already there, grow new RV sites, grow new primitive camping sites, and build the long awaited outdoor amphitheater.
  Keep in mind, a year ago, past CAEZ Chair Michael Martin told his Board, he felt the purpose for the CAEZ was about over and in a couple years it would dissolve by turning its assets over to other groups.
  It has not been two years yet but the time is now for someone new to take charge and control of the campground. Now is the time that free money is available for the much needed place to grow.
  On the street we heard rumors that the County Commission was interested in such an angle.
  With their Oct meeting concluded, we asked Mr Martin about giving up the place now. He did not provide any answer nor did the topic come up during their regular meeting.
  We think the time to act is now. 
  For the future of Clayberry, we hope that happens soon.
AW end