Regional planning council seeks permission to survey residents and pursue Duke Energy grant for county economic development work

Carolyn Smith, director of community development at the Appalache Regional Planning Council, asked the Jefferson County Board to approve distribution of three draft surveys — targeting high-school students, adults, and employers — to help the newly formed Jefferson County Economic Development Committee better understand workforce and business needs.

Smith said the committee has met monthly since December, has identified three priorities (retain youth and young adults through workforce opportunities, support existing businesses, and close workforce-readiness gaps), and hopes to use survey results to shape training and certification programs. She also requested the board's permission to apply for a Duke Energy Foundation grant — historically up to $25,000 in recent cycles — to develop a data-driven web presence and branding materials that could be integrated into the county website.

Commissioners asked about costs (Smith said there was none to the county to distribute the surveys) and about who would be the 'go-to' contact for developers (Smith identified Commissioner White as the committee chair). The board moved and approved the distribution of the draft surveys and granted permission to pursue the Duke Energy Foundation grant application.