EXPERIENCE. Vision. Commitment.
Adding to my last post about my experience, here are some of the accomplishments and duties from my time with Person County Government to speak to my qualifications as a candidate for Person County Commissioner.
During my 9 years with the Person Economic Development Department, I supported industry expansion and recruitment from top employers such as Spuntech Industries, GKN Driveline, US Flue Cured Tobacco, and POLYWOOD, LLC (new industry and expansion).
My role with these projects ranged from incentives calculations, contract negotiations, grant applications and management, press releases, project management, and more.
I supported the development of the Person County Mega Park through the recertification process, permitting, and marketing.
I participated in county-wide site and infrastructure analyses and gained a deep knowledge of our assets.
My first year leading the department, I was the lone staff person in the ED office, yet we accomplished two industry announcements from POLYWOOD, LLC, and Open Book Extracts, brought outside recognition to Person County and our Airport, Mega Site, and Piedmont Community College (PCC) through hosting events and tours from Leadership NC, NCDOT Division of Aviation, and an Opportunity Zone Workshop presented by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.
During that period, I also submitted a final application for a $1M+ waterline grant, received the award, and managed the construction project.
Through a 3-way partnership between the EDC, PCC, and Person County Schools, a workforce development initiative was developed, and a grant was received from NC Commerce to support creating a manufacturing sector cluster for workforce development and collaboration.
With the help of a part-time summer intern, I also relocated the ED office to a location with better access for clients and a dedicated meeting space for the Economic Development Commission to create greater efficiency.
I managed a budget of between $2M and $3M within local government procedures and general statutes, and I collaborated with numerous other county departments on projects.
As an active and engaged member of the economic development community, I developed a network of government, economic development, and service provider connections that I remain in contact with today. (In fact, while meeting a colleague at Starbucks in Raleigh yesterday, I ran into some other ED connections. See image of me with former NC Secretary of Commerce and current ED Strategist, Tony Copeland, Oppie Jordan of Edgecombe County’s Carolina’s Gateway, and Bob Joyce, newly retired from Sanford Area Growth Alliance.)
I am a candidate with extensive local government experience, vast connections and awareness of resources, and a track record of being results-driven.
As you consider which three candidates are the most qualified to represent you and lead the county, here’s a great recap of some the milestones mentioned above from The Courier-Times.
I would greatly appreciate your support on March 5th!
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