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200 <br /> <br /> The Board of Commissioners for the County of Cabarrus met in recessed <br />session in the Lobby of the Cabarrus County Governmental Center in Concord, <br />North Carolina, on Friday, October 12, 2001, at 6:30 p.m. <br /> <br />Present - Chairman: Arne L. Fennel <br /> Vice Chairman: Robert W. Carruth <br /> Commissioners: Robert M. Freeman <br /> Coy C. Privette <br /> Richard D. Suggs <br /> <br /> A reception ' was held to show appreciation <br />department heads, key staff members and their spouses. <br /> <br />to County Government <br /> <br /> At 7:30 p.m., the Board met in the Multipurpose Room at the <br />Governmental Center. <br /> <br /> Also present were Mr. Frank W. Clifton, Jr., County Manager; Mr. <br />Fletcher L. Hartsell, Jr., County Attorney; Mr. John Day, Deputy County <br />Manager for Operations; and Mrs. Frankie F. Bonds, Clerk to the Board. <br /> <br /> Joining the Board at that time were Ms. Kay Williams, Director of the <br />North Carolina Division of Historic Sites; Mr. John Dysart, Manager of the <br />Reed Gold Mine Historic Site; and Mr. Charles Powell, a local resident with <br />experience in the tourism industry. <br /> <br /> Chairman Fennel called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and introduced <br />discussion of Reed Gold Mine. He stated the County's desire to assist in the <br />enhancement of Reed Gold Mine and asked how the County could help the State <br />move forward with the site's Master Plan that has been in place for 25 years. <br /> <br /> Mr. John Dysart, Manager of Reed Gold Mine, gave a brief overview of <br />the history of Reed Gold Mine, which was the site of the first documented <br />gold discovery in the United States in 1799. The 822-acre site, including <br />the 70-acre historical mine property, was designated a National Historic <br />Landmark in 1966. It is one of 23 State historic sites in North Carolina and <br />offers a visitor center, underground mine, 1895 stamp mill, panning facility, <br />outdoor exhibits, walking trails and picnic area. Reed Gold Mine opened for <br />visitors in 1977 and attracts 60,000 to 70,000 visitors per year. The State <br />developed a Master Plan for the 70-acre historical site in 1977, but has not <br />completed all improvements outlined in that Plan. Finally, Mr. Dysart <br />discussed the lack of State funding to market the site. <br /> <br /> Mr. Charles Powell, County resident and former resident of the Boone <br />area where he was involved in the travel and tourism industry, discussed <br />issues relating to Reed Gold Mine and tourism opportunities in Cabarrus <br />County. He stated the historic site brings people to the area and provides <br />an excellent opportunity to develop tourism in Cabarrus County and the <br />region. According to Mr. Dysart, efforts should be made to target the <br />traveling family and extend their length of stay in the county. He discussed <br />the impacts of growth on cultural and historical sites and suggested the <br />possibility of moving historical homes to the site for persons to visit. <br />Finally, Mr. 'Powell advised that the Blue Ridge Parkway. is currently the <br />State's largest tourism attraction with Concord Mills Mall being the second <br />largest. <br /> <br /> Mr. Clifton addressed the possibility of Cabarrus County partnering <br />with the State to provide additional recreational opportunities at Reed Gold <br />Mine and to encourage more people to visit the historical site. He stated <br />the County does not have a fixed plan for the surrounding property, but some <br />alternatives may include overnight camping, blacksmith shop, riding trails, <br />historic village, etc. Further, Mr. Clifton pointed out that the lack of <br />public utilities at Reed Gold Mine would restrict development at the site. <br /> <br /> Ms. Kay Williams, Director of the North Carolina Division of Historic <br />Sites, reported the State has reorganized the way it handles historic sites, <br />creating the new Division of State Historic Sites effective October 1, 2001~ <br />She stated a willingness to explore ways the County and State can enter into <br />a partnership to enhance Reed Gold Mine and move forward with the historical <br />site. Also, Ms. Williams suggested that the County could assist with funds <br />at the local level for marketing Reed Gold Mine. <br /> <br /> Mr. Hartsell reviewed activities that have occurred since April when <br />the County expressed an interest in the Reed Gold Mine property. He has been <br />in contact with State officials concerning the possibility of an operating <br /> <br /> <br />