Clay County Leadership was officially notified on Wednesday that we were awarded the very competitive $850,000 grant from the Rural Economic Development Division of the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The grant "Stabilization to Transformation: Enhancing Clay County through Property Acquisition and Public Health Facilities Expansion" will help us work towards, among other things, a Community Farmers Market, future EMS Building, EMS Training Center and storage facility for Emergency Management equipment and supplies.

A big THANK YOU to Angie Shook and all the staff at the Clay County Courthouse for the beautiful decorations

Nantahala Health Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Clay County to grow future EMTs and Paramedics. The award will provide for an EMT mentor/trainer. This will be a partnership with Clay County Schools (and schools throughout the far west), Tri-County Community College and the CPP to recruit students to become EMTs. The mentor/trainer will follow students throughout their studies, ensuring they successfully complete training and find placement locally, where the need is greatest. Clay County previously received funding in the amount of $100,000 from a Dogwood Health Trust Opioid Planning Grant to provide selected students with full tuition and an internship stipend to ensure the program gets the highest quality candidates and keeps them.

Dogwood Health Trust awarded Clay County $134,000 for each of the next two years for an additional Community Paramedic. The Community Paramedic Program was created in Clay County through initial funding from the Nantahala Health Foundation ($95K) in 2019. The Program's first Paramedic was Jeff Ledford, Paramedic/RN, who brought to the position over 30 years of health care experience. Grant funding from the North Carolina Health Care Foundation ($147,092.60) allowed for the outfitting of the program, suppling necessary equipment and training. In 2021, the Health Department brought the program under its auspices, adding greater oversight to the program by teaming the Community Paramedic with the Health Department's Nurse Practitioner. This also enabled expanded telehealth/clinical services. This partnership received funding from a three-year Community Health Grant ($150K per year for 3 years) and saw the addition of Community Paramedic Ben English. During this time, Clay County opened the state's first of its kind monoclonal antibody clinic, blazing new trails for the program, and increasing access to health care for Clay County residents and the surrounding communities of Western NC and North GA. Recognizing the good work of the program, the Dogwood Health Trust awarded the CPP $181,000 to purchase a mobile unit to be used for community health events and for natural disaster and homeland security initiatives throughout the county and the state. Always thinking ahead to the future, Clay County has submitted a grant to the Nantahala Health Foundation to grow future EMTs and Paramedics. The application for $50,000 is in the review stage and will, if funded, provide for an EMT mentor/trainer. This will be a partnership with Clay County Schools (and schools throughout the far west), Tri-County Community College and the CPP to recruit students to become EMTs. The mentor/trainer will follow students throughout their studies, ensuring they successfully complete training and find placement locally, where the need is greatest. Clay County received funding in the amount of $100,000 from a Dogwood Health Trust Opioid Planning Grant to provide selected students with full tuition and an internship stipend to ensure the program gets the highest quality candidates and keeps them.

On November 9, the American Legion George Lee Post 532 and Auxiliary honored Clay County Government Veterans in observance of Veterans Day. The event was sponsored by the Clay County Department of Social Service and Clay County Government. On behalf of the Clay County Board of Commissioners, Dr. Rob Peck thanked the veterans for their service and sacrifice to our nation and their continued service to Clay County.

Join us as we honor our County Employee Veterans at the DSS flagpole on November 9, 2022 @ 1:00pm. Flag Ceremony hosted by the American Legion.

See attached for the termination of the Local State of Emergency for Clay County, NC.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TO: Citizens of Clay County FROM: Dr. Rob Peck, Chairman Clay County Board of Commissioners DATE: Tuesday, March 24, 2020 SUBJECT: Declaration of Local State of Emergency Effective, today, March 24, 2020 at 2:00 PM EST, a Local State of Emergency for Clay County, to include the Town of Hayesville, is officially declared on behalf of the Clay County Board of Commissioners. This order shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded. This declaration should not be a cause for panic, rather recognized as a tool by which to help curb the cost associated with the implementation of Clay County’s Emergency Preparedness Plan in response to COVlD-19. This declaration will also allow Commissioners to seek additional resources should they become necessary during the course of this declaration, and institute additional preventative measures to protect health, life and property if needed. At this time there are no imposed restrictions and/or prohibitions as allowed under North Carolina General Statutes. The Clay County Board of Commissioners, County Staff, Regional, State and Federal partners will continue to work together in the best interest of Clay County. The commissioners want to thank our team for their tireless work and effort in keeping our citizens safe. While cases will increase with additional testing, an increase in new cases, even locally, should not lead to an increase in hysteria. We would ask for each of you to keep things in perspective relative to the facts. While there is an understandable amount of fear and frustrations, rest assured, your Board of Commissioners and County Staff are doing their best to serve you, our constituents. We would ask for your continued prayers for discernment as we navigate these uncertain times. Sincerely, Dr. Rob Peck, Chairman Clay County Board of Commissioners

The Clay County Fire Department will be hosting an "Emergency Services Expo" on October 22, 2022 at the entrance to the Clay County Rec Center from 10am - 2pm. Everyone is welcome!

Effective immediately, the landfill will no longer be taking brush for disposal. Due to the high cost involved, the state will not be able to continue to grind the brush for us.

The Clay County Board of Commissioners want to congratulate Mary Ann Stillwell, DSS Child Support Agent, who earlier today was awarded the North Carolina Child Support Agent of the Year. This is quite an achievement and well deserved! Thank you for all you do for Clay County!

On October 3, 2019, the Clay County Board of Commissioners unanimously passed a resolution in support of HB370 . HB370 was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly during the 2019-2020 legislative session and also vetoed by Governor Cooper. The 2019/20 HB370, like this years bill co-sponsored by Senator Kevin Corbin was a mechanism to further strengthen the entire law enforcement system in detaining those prisoners who are subject to an immigration detainer request issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security. One of the goals of HB370 was to provide for open communication and cooperation between federal and local law enforcement, acting as a deterrent to illegal immigration as well as a deterrent in crimes committed by illegal immigrants. The Clay County Board of Commissioners continue to believe in implementing the laws that help protect the safety of our citizens and allow for the arrest of those who are violating the law. We continue to support Senator Corbin in his efforts!