Brunswick Co. commissioners hope new department saves money

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County commissioners hope more change for the economic development department will save money.

Hundreds of acres of land sit vacant in the fastest growing county in the state. North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Dana Fisher is just one of many in the county that want to see more development.

“I would love to see more retail for the people that live here, but bottom line, I would love to see industry that would bring jobs,” Fisher said.

Commissioner Marty Cooke said the county has been trying to make that happen for years.

“I’ve looked into some of the other states and some of the other states have the ability to provide incentives without a great deal of work,” Cooke said.

In the meantime, the economic development department in the county has seen lots of change.

In July, commissioners voted to get rid two separate entities and create a county economic development commission.

The new economic development director, Michael DiTullo, resigned after only a few months.

Yesterday, commissioners voted to merge the economic development and planning departments and appoint planning director Mike Hargett as the director.

Cooke said it is going to save them money.

“We have been continually trying to find ways to refine government, bring down the costs and be able to make it more efficient and I think this is another attempt toward that end and we believe that it will be very promising,” Cooke said.

Republican commission candidate Jim Medlin said he does not think it is the right solution.

“I don’t believe in micro managing,” Medlin said.

Medlin said the county needs to have a single economic development commission with a director.

“I think that’s the right way and I’ve done enough research to see that’s how they do it in most places in the country,” Medlin said.

Fisher said she just hopes the county can get the development here.

“Convince them that this is one of the best counties to be in,” Fisher said.

Cooke said the commissioners will not know exactly how much the merge will save them for a little while.