At their regularly scheduled meeting on September 9, 2024, the Board of Education named Mrs. Amy Rice as the Director of Student Services. 

Mrs. Rice currently serves as the Director of Testing and Accountability and Instructional Support. Previously, Mrs. Rice has served as principal of J.F. Webb High and Stovall Shaw Elementary Schools, an assistant principal, and a science teacher. Mrs. Rice holds a Bachelor's degree from Appalachian State, a Master’s degree in Science Education from ECU, and a Master's degree in School Administration from N.C. State University. Mrs. Rice is also a proud graduate of JF Webb High School in Granville County Public Schools.

For the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, Mrs. Rice will retain the Testing and Accountability responsibilities. 

Superintendent Dr. Winborne offered these remarks about the change, stating, “We are very excited to have Mrs. Rice move into this new leadership role. Her successful past leadership experiences in our district will be an asset for our students and staff as she takes on these new duties.”

GRANVILLE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS: The Granville County Board of Commissioners held a regular  meeting on Tuesday, September 3 at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. The meeting featured a  presentation from Kerr Area Transportation System (KARTS) Executive Director Randy Cantor on services  provided to residents in Granville County and across the four-county region in which KARTS operates (Granville,  Franklin, Vance, and Warren). 

Cantor provided a report to the Granville County Board of Commissioners on KARTS activity and progress since  his tenure began in 2023. During this period, KARTS has overcome significant financial challenges and has seen  an increase in services provided within Granville County. KARTS receives funding from the federal government,  state government and the four counties in which it operates. Cantor explained that ridership in Granville County 

from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, was 35,128. Overall, KARTS has increased trips throughout the system  while simultaneously decreasing the number of hours vehicles are on the road. 

Other business conducted on September 3 included: 

• Approval of a resolution authorizing Granville County Senior Services to submit an application for the  North Carolina Department of Transportation 5310 Transportation Grant for the 2024-2025 fiscal year  that would provide $161,000 (with a 10% local match of $16,100) for transportation services provided to  elderly and other individuals with disabilities.  

• Approval of the transfer of ownership of K-9 Remi to Lieutenant Greg Williamson and K-9 Coal to Deputy  David Watson upon each K-9’s retirement from service to the Granville County Sheriff’s Office. • Approval of a consulting services contract with Robert Bailess for the Granville County Sheriff’s Office  from October 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025, at a cost of $37,000. 

• Reappointing Charles Noblin (District 2) and Maggie Brummitt (District 7) to the Granville County  Economic Development Advisory Board. 

• Reappointing Dr. Bridget Waters (District 2) to the Veterinarian position on the Granville-Vance District  Board of Health. 

• Approval of a reclassification of the existing position of Administrative Assistant in the Economic  Development Department to Economic Development Coordinator. 

• Authorizing the County Manager to execute the Stop-Gap Solutions County Participation Form. This  program from the State of North Carolina will assist counties in meeting funding match requirements for  participation in future Completing Access to Broadband (CAB) program awards. 

• Approval of a service and maintenance agreement with Carolina Recording Systems for 911 Emergency  Communications in the amount of $23,879.98. 

• Approval of Budget Amendment #3 for Fiscal Year 2024-2025.

• Approval of Capital Project Ordinance Amendment #1 to the Granville Health System project for  principal and interest debt service payments. 

• Approval of Capital Project Ordinance Amendment #2 for the Broadband project recognizing funds appropriated in Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget Amendment #3. 

• Approval of the assignment of surplus inspection fees to Restricted Fund Balance to be used as future  revenue to benefit and support the administration and activities of the Inspections Department in  accordance with State of North Carolina regulations. 

• Approval of the transfer of Child Support Incentive funds to Restricted Fund Balance in accordance with federal regulations. 

• Approval of a street sign installation agreement with George Wade Woody, Jr. to repair and replace  street signs in unincorporated Granville County at a cost of $35 per sign installation and $0.55 per mile  driven. 

• Approval of a Memorandum of Understanding with the North Carolina Department of Commerce Main  Street and Rural Planning Center to develop a five-year Economic Development Strategic Plan at a cost  of $600. 

• Approval of tax refunds, releases, and write-offs for July 25, 2024, through August 21, 2024. • Approval of Tax Collector settlement and charge to collect current year taxes and prior fiscal year unpaid  taxes. 

• Approval of county employee participation in the 2024 fall NC DOT spring litter sweep on September 20,  2024. 

• Approval of August 5, 2024, Board of Commissioners meeting minutes. 

The next meeting of the Granville County Board of Commissioners is scheduled for Monday, October 7, at 7:00  p.m. at the Granville County Convention and Expo Center. 

To stay informed about upcoming meetings of the Board of Commissioners, visit the Granville County website at www.granvillecounty.org where you can sign up for the “Sunshine List” and follow the county on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/GranvilleCountyGov.  

All meetings of the Granville County Board of Commissioners are now streamed live on YouTube! Subscribe to  Granville County Government on YouTube to view the live videos at  

www.youtube.com/channel/UCbVYs817nNZw3JQFiySEeXg. Archived recordings will also be available on the  Granville County website at www.granvillecounty.org/government/county-commissioners/meeting-recordings/ 

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GRANVILLE COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Domestic and international visitors to and within  Granville County spent $60.8 million in 2023, marking a 3.5% increase from 2022, according to an annual study  commissioned by Visit NC, a unit of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. 

“Granville County has demonstrated its ability to maintain the significant tourism growth experienced in 2022,  as the community successfully rebounded from the pandemic with new events and businesses that attracted  fresh visitors to the area,” said Angela Allen, Director of Granville County Tourism Development Authority. 

Recently, the Visit NC staff conducted a Destination Immersion tour of Granville County in July. They  experienced the unique people, places, and activities that have contributed to the growth in visitor spending,  affirming Granville’s appeal as a vibrant and welcoming destination. 

“We experienced first-hand how the tourism industry in Granville County is thriving,” said Wit Tuttell, Executive  Director of Visit NC. “There is a tremendous community spirit and enthusiasm that should allow for tourism to  continue to grow and keep supporting local jobs and adding revenue to the local economy.” 

Tourism Impact Highlights for 2023: 

• The travel and tourism industry directly employs more than 323 people in Granville County. • Total payroll generated by the tourism industry in Granville County was $13.7 million. 

• State tax revenue generated in Granville County totaled $2.5 million through state sales and excise  taxes, and taxes on personal and corporate income. About $1.9 million in local taxes were generated  from occupancy, sales, and property tax revenue from travel-generated and travel-supported  businesses. 

These statistics come from the “Economic Impact of Travel on North Carolina Counties 2023” report, prepared  for Visit North Carolina by Tourism Economics. The full study is available at partners.visitnc.com/economic impact-studies. 

“Granville County continues to be a top destination for visitors from across North Carolina and the country,” said  Timothy Karan, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “From our unique festivals and beautiful  communities to our diverse shops, restaurants, and first-class recreational assets, there is truly something for  everyone to discover in Granville. We hope that all who visit our community learn what we already know: that  Granville County is a great place to live, work, and play.”

For more information about Granville County’s events, recreation, shopping, dining, and more, visit  www.visitgranvillenc.com or contact Angela Allen at 919-693-6125. 

Statewide Impact: 

Statewide, visitor spending in 2023 rose 6.9% to reach a record $35.6 billion. Direct tourism employment  increased 4.8% to 227,224. 

“The new study underscores the importance of tourism to every county in North Carolina,” said Wit Tuttell.  “There’s a lot of competition for travelers’ time and money, and we owe our success to everything from the  state’s scenic beauty and outdoor adventure to our mix of tradition and innovation and our welcoming spirit.  Those qualities might be hard to measure, but we can follow the trail to a measurable impact on our workforce,  our businesses, and our tax base. We look forward to continued success.” 

North Carolina Tourism Facts: 

• Total spending by domestic and international visitors in North Carolina reached $35.6 billion in 2023, a  6.9% increase over 2022. 

• Domestic travelers spent a record $34.6 billion in 2023, up 6.8% from $32.4 billion in 2022. • International travelers spent $997 million in 2023, up 9.5% from the previous year. 

• Visitors to North Carolina generated nearly $4.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2023, a 5.8%  increase from 2022. 

• State tax receipts from visitor spending rose 5.6% to $1.3 billion in 2023. 

• Local tax receipts grew 5.4% to $1.2 billion. 

• Direct tourism employment in North Carolina increased 4.8% to 227,224. 

• Direct tourism payroll increased 6.6% to nearly $9.3 billion. 

• Visitors spend more than $97 million per day in North Carolina, adding $7.1 million per day to state and  local tax revenues. 

• Each North Carolina household saved $518 on average in state and local taxes due to visitor spending in  the state. 

• North Carolina hosted about 43 million visitors in 2023. 

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