Brunswick County leaders create new economic department after board resigns

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A meeting of the Economic Development Commission Board of Directors and the Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors in Brunswick County has been canceled today following the resignation of every member. At a county commission meeting, county leaders discussed what to do now.

County Spokeswoman Amanda Hutcheson said in a news release that members of both boards submitted the resignations this morning. Hutcheson said the boards recommended the creation of a county department to handle economic matters in the county. At a county commission meeting Tuesday afternoon, commissioners voted unanimously to create an Economic Development Department. County Manager Ann Hardy will serve as the interim director of the department, while Jim Bradshaw will serve as special adviser to Hardy until he retires. Bradshaw was the the director of economic development in Brunswick County but announced he was stepping down last week.

Commissioner Frank Williams also issued a statement regarding the announcement.

“As I stated last week, I was in agreement that some things need to change regarding our county’s approach to economic development, but that it was prudent to give the economic development commission an opportunity to make necessary changes,” Williams said. “Today, they took definitive action.  I commend the members of the economic development commission and their chairman for making this tough decision.”

With the approval, the department will be effective July 1.