Council for Collaborative Impact
Working Together for Successful, Thriving Communities
Council for Collaborative Impact
The Council for Collaborative Impact (CCI) is comprised of individuals from Clay, Cherokee, and Towns counties who wish to keep abreast of services available for neighbors in our community that specifically address the areas of education, transportation, economic development, children’s issues, drug abuse, housing, and technology. They serve on CCI task forces that represent each of these areas and work collaboratively to better meet community needs in impactful and transformative ways. Any interested individuals are welcome to attend CCI meetings and potentially serve on a task force. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker who will address a topic that has regional impact and who can be a resource for our community.
Meetings are held in Moore Great Hall in the Lodge at Hinton Rural Life Center, 2330 Hinton Center Road, Hayesville NC. Please RSVP the Tuesday before to jim@hintoncenter.org or call 828-389-8336.
2023 CCI Meeting Schedule
- February 16, 8:30-10:00am — Guest speaker Patrick Woodie, president and CEO of the NC Rural Center. The Center’s mission is to develop, promote, and implement sound economic strategies to improve the quality of life of rural North Carolinians. It serves the state’s 78 rural counties, with a special focus on individuals with low to moderate incomes and communities with limited resources.
- April 13, 8:30-10:00am — Guest speaker Jeannette Butterworth, Senior Consultant, WNC Nonprofit Pathways, a collaboration of the following funding organizations:
- August 10, 8:30-10:00am — TBD
- November 9, 8:30-10:00am — Mayor Liz Ordiales will be our guest speaker. She has served as the mayor of Hiawassee, GA, since January of 2018.

Task Force Areas
The Council for Collaborative Impact (CCI) has seven task force areas. These areas were identified in the Quality of Life study. The research pinpointed seven different focuses that could use collaborative effort for impact in this region: Children’s Needs, Economic Development, Education, Housing, Substance Abuse, Technology, and Transportation.
If you would like to learn more about CCI and/or join a task force to help impact our community, please contact Jim Rich at (828) 389-8336 or jim@hintoncenter.org.
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Quality of Life Study
Report and Data
Researchers gathered data for this study from various groups and areas of life. Read their findings below.
Quality of Life Study
Quality of Life Snapshot for Clay, Cherokee, and Towns Counties
Hinton Asset Map
Grant Opportunities
The Appalachian Community Fund: $30K for 30 Years of Change, Not Charity Grant
SAMHSA Grants for those interested in housing & substance abuse
Resources
Economic Development:
“Economic Development As If People Mattered: A More Qualitative Approach,” by Kevin Trapani
Health & Substance Abuse:
“Improving Health in Rural North Carolina,” Healthy Places NC, Kate B. Reynolds Foundation
“Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction,” National Institute on Drug Abuse
Education:
“Born Poor in NC? You’re Likely to Stay That Way Unless State Makes Changes,” by Christopher Gergen and Stephen Martin
“Support for Investing in Early Education Rises in North Carolina,” NC Early Childhood Foundation
Environment: