Commissioners Approve Funding for Forward Rabun

This article originally appeared in the July 30, 2020 edition of The Clayton Tribune and is reposted with permission from publisher Wayne Knuckles.

By Megan Broome
Staff Writer

CLAYTON—Forward Rabun has partnered with Rabun County Commissioners to distribute hotel/motel tax funds for tourism development on the county’s behalf following a unanimous vote from county commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday.

“A contract between the county and Forward Rabun for them to expend our hotel/motel tax,” said Allyn Stockton, county attorney.

Forward Rabun is an umbrella organization that consists of the Development Authority of Rabun County, the Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and Welcome Center and a tourism entity.

Stockton explained that the county and Forward Rabun have entered into a Memorium of Understanding (MOU) contract, and that in exchange for the county leasing them the building at 10 Seed Tick Rd., Clayton, Forward Rabun would administer the county’s hotel/motel tax funds.

“We’re providing utilities and maintenance on the building,” Stockton said.

It was noted that this arrangement is similar to the county’s contract with Paws 4 Life, in which a third party provides services to the county in exchange for funding from county commissioners. Such as in the instance that Paws 4 Life provides animal control services to Rabun County.

Stockton said that this is a 12-month contract that renews automatically each year, but that there is language in the document allowing for cancelation under certain guidelines.

He clarified that Forward Rabun is an independent, outside organization separate from the county.

Commissioner Stephen Arbitter spoke about how tourism and economic development are linked together and very important, especially to the economy of Rabun County.

He said he supports this partnership with Forward Rabun.

“This puts all of the stakeholders in one room, face to face,” Arbitter said.

Rick Story, director of development, briefly spoke to commissioners and explained the Forward Rabun concept, noting the benefits of working together.

The cities of Sky Valley, Dillard, and most recently Clayton have also agreed to partner with Forward Rabun.

Sky Valley council members voted earlier this year to fund Forward Rabun 100 percent from their hotel/ motel tax allocation.

The city of Dillard agreed to provide 50 percent of its taxes to Forward Rabun and 50 percent to Dillard’s tourism development committee.

The city of Clayton at their meeting last Tuesday voted to give .75 percent to Forward Rabun and 1.25 percent to the Clayton Merchants and Business Association (CMBA).

Story says that although the tax allocation differs, the cities are in full partnership.

“We’re in a good place,” Story said about Forward Rabun.

Part of the Forward Rabun concept includes a committee of 21 people who are represented by different cities and areas of Rabun County.

Commissioners voted to approve their five board member representatives, who are Brett Edwards, Robert Pittman, Stephen Arbitter, Pam Thompson, and Greg James, who will represent the commissioners.