I Hope Everyone Had a Great Labor Day!

On Monday we recognized the people whose work keeps Haywood County moving every day — our teachers, healthcare workers, tradespeople, first responders, service workers, small-business employees and so many others.

And a special thank you to those who worked while so many of us had the day off.

I hope you enjoy my newsletter and if so, share it with a friend, family member or neighbor.

Golden LEAF opportunities for Haywood

This month’s Haywood County Chamber of Commerce Insight and Eggs gathering offered an interesting look at the many ways Golden LEAF Foundation funding has helped rural North Carolina.

Scott Hamilton, president and CEO of Golden LEAF, talked about the foundation’s investments in job creation, economic opportunity, agriculture, workforce development and stronger rural communities.

I took careful notes because there are significant opportunities available to rural communities like ours.

Hamilton explained that grant applications that provide a clear path toward job creation and sustainable economic impact are favorably regarded.

For job-creation projects, he outlined four phases of site development:



Phase 1 — Identify potential industrial sites

Phase 2 — Complete due diligence and preliminary engineering studies

Phase 3 — Develop the site

Phase 4 — Develop a shell building

Haywood County has already benefited from Golden LEAF investments. Past projects have included support for the outdoor workforce training center and health education simulation lab at Haywood Community College, as well as disaster recovery, flood mitigation and a small-business emergency loan program following Hurricane Helene.

Agriculture was another important part of Hamilton’s presentation.

One of Golden LEAF’s goals is to help agribusiness strengthen North Carolina’s economy and remain competitive nationally and internationally.

Hamilton also discussed work underway to better understand farmland loss and develop strategies for preserving North Carolina’s agricultural land.

That caught my attention.

For the past five months or so, I’ve been meeting with a farmland preservation working group to explore creating a fund through which tax-deductible donations could help purchase development rights from willing farmers.

The basic concept is straightforward: A farmer who voluntarily participates could sell the development rights to the property, with a conservation easement or similar deed restriction protecting the land from future development while allowing it to remain working farmland.


I’ll be sharing what I learned from Hamilton with the working group as we continue exploring what might be possible in Haywood County.

Housing and economic development

The conversations continued after the Chamber meeting.

Jared Iragi, executive director of Haywood Habitat for Humanity, and I were discussing progress on another working group I started, this one centered on intentionally affordable housing.

We were joined by Hannah Helms, Haywood County’s economic development director; Chamber President David Francis; Scott Hamilton; and Chamber staff member Haley Madden.

The conversation covered several topics, including the potential economic-development opportunities associated with recruiting an affordable-housing manufacturer to a Haywood County site.

There is more to explore, and I’ll keep sharing what I learn as these conversations continue.

We can accept Venmo and Paypal donations on my website or you can mail a check to Hyatt4Haywood 116 Sunburst Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786.



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As always, your donations are greatly appreciated.

Campaign Season is Upon Us

Pictured, from left, are Carroll Jones, Vicki Hyatt, Kristen Jackson and Corley Isbell. Not pictured is Teri Wales.

Meanwhile, I’m switching gears.

I’ve spent much of the past eight months researching issues voters have told me they care about and exploring possible solutions. Now it’s time to spend more time actually campaigning!

At the Canton Labor Day parade. We were #29 and we used our old farm truck with the campaign signs! We handed out Hyatt for Haywood t-shirts along with candy. We had a great time! Watch our Facebook page for photos of all the fun.

My September calendar is filling up, but I’m eager to attend meet-and-greets if anyone would like to organize one. I’d be glad to share what I’ve learned during the past eight months and talk about the ideas I’ve been exploring around housing, farmland preservation and economic development.

Also, mark Sept. 24–27 on your calendar. I’ll be at the Haywood County Fair, and I’d love for supporters to drop by for an hour or two and help greet our neighbors

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I'm able to accept Venmo and Paypal Donations

on my website. Or my button below:

Checks can also be mailed to:

Hyatt4Haywood

116 Sunburst Drive,

Waynesville, NC 28786