The Partnership for the Future of Bryson City and Swain County has been awarded a Civic Ventures Grant from the N.C. Rural Center for the purposes of hiring a director.

Having a director will allow the Partnership to move forward with projects in a more coordinated effort, said Linda Cable, Swain County administrator and the chairman of the Partnership.

The Partnership for the Future of Bryson City and Swain County is a group of people and organizations dedicated to improving life in Swain County. The organization has been holding quarterly meetings.

The director will be housed in county offices, and it is hoped that the new position will work to generate adequate grants and contracts to pay for itself after the first year. The Family Preservation Family Support Regional Program has donated office start-up furniture, equipment and supplies.

The Rural Center also awarded the county an additional $5,000 to expand existing planning efforts to include a detailed job description and work plan for the new Partnership Director.

The Partnership must provide a $20,000 match for this grant. The Partnership Board of Directors is asking member organizations to make a cash contribution toward the match if they are able, said Cable.