Members Present: Michael Bramlett, Duff Bruce, Ryan Ferrell, Ben Hagood, Dani Holt, Ron Masters, Betty McDaniel, Robert Sams

Members Absent: Tom Hagood, Kathy McKenzie-Mitiku, Nick McKinney, Al Robinson

Guests Present: Kim Clevenger, Assistant Director; Billy Crawford, Director; Bryan Owen, Blue Lion Digital

1. Meeting Called to Order by Robert Sams at 4:01
2. Approval of Current Agenda XYes               □Yes with following changes:

• Approval of Minutes: Changes/Additions: None

Motion to approve by: Mr. Sams 2^nd by: Mr. Masters.  Motion passed with 6 votes.

1. Executive Session (if needed):
2. Director’s Report: Mr. Crawford recapped Old Time Weekend Jam, Mountain Roots Herb Festival, Ag + Art Tour, Pow Wow, Heritage Pavilion, MOU, grant updates, and outreach. Mr. Owens asked if for the Mountain Roots Herb Festival if anyone had reached out to PCLS about partnering. Mr. Crawford said no.
3. Treasurer’s Report: See attached financials.
4. Assistant Director’s Report: Clevenger asked for help with contacting FOTM who haven’t registered on the new website. Mr. Owens highlighted a proposal to work with Bee Well Honey to sell our products at their store and to sell their honey in the mercantile. He said that the owner was very excited to work with us. Mr. Sams asked if there would be exclusivity and Mr. Owens said that there could be. Mr. Sams asked Mr. Owens if he had a good relationship with Jamie Burns at Pickens County. Mr. Owens said that he would reach out about getting our events and activities along with links on the county website and calendar. Mr. Ferrell asked Mr. Owens if ATAX funding could be used to market in other cities. Mr. Owes said yes.
5. Message from the Board Chair: Sams reported that the Pavilion project should be finished in the next 4 months and that he would like input about furnishings and procedures for use. Mr. Sams also spoke with Kevin Thompson who told him that Jonathan Green was currently too busy to schedule woodworking classes and that Mr. Thompson would be teaching some. Mr. Sams would like to find someone willing to teach those classes.
6. Committee Reports (as needed)
   • Pavilion: Ferrell reported that the committee met Tuesday and that the project is currently on time and on budget. He also reported that Blue Ridge Electric agreed to put in the three-phase power at a cost of $4,000 instead of $15,000.
   • Building/Grounds: Masters reported that temporary repairs had been made to the steel bridge where there were holes. He said that Mr. Crawford was looking into long-term solutions. Mr. Masters also informed the board that Legacy Sheds moved the container up near the tractor barn and that it was elevated and secure. The plans to finish off that area will include landscaping. Mr. Bramlett found another bin of Tommy Charles’ collection and it has been donated to HMF.
   • Fundraising: Ben Hagood would like to point out the diminishing funding coming from the county when formally approaching potential corporate sponsors. He said that the entire board should be considered the Fundraising committee. Mr. Ferrell asked about consideration of having a sponsor for each event. The committee will meet to discuss possible changes to the sponsorship packet.
   • Long-Range Planning: Holt reported that the committee needs to start focusing on 2030. She plans to meet with committee chairs individually for specific information with the goal of meeting with the committee in June.

• Action Items
• Old Business
• New Business
• Comments
  1. McDaniel informed the board that the Ag + Art Tour would be taking place at several places around the county. She also discussed the idea of new board members for the next year. She mentioned Jeff Beckwith or The Bradleys.
  2. Ferrell suggested a partnership with a hotel or two in Easley/Clemson that would offer corporate rates for those who mention Hagood Mill.
• The next meeting will be held on May 22, 2025, at 4:00 pm at 138 Hagood Mill Rd., Pickens or via Zoom.

1. The meeting was adjourned at 5:33