Information courtesy of Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood
Harry Mills, Granville County’s Economic Development director, has announced his retirement. Mills has held the position since 2014.
“In his nine years at the helm of the Economic Development office, Granville County experienced unprecedented growth in commercial and residential development and retained many key employers while other rural counties simultaneously saw industries flee to major metropolitan markets,” according to information from Granville County Public Information Officer Terry Hobgood.
“Harry Mills has truly left his mark on Granville County as a citizen and a valued county employee,” said Granville County Board of Commissioners Chair Russ May. “His dedication to improving the lives of our citizens through his dedicated leadership of our Economic Development Office have been instrumental to the economic success of Granville County and all our municipalities over the last nine years. He will be missed, and we wish him happy and healthy retirement!”
“I loved my time working for Granville County but am also so excited for what retirement has to bring for my family,” Mills said. “Working with and for this community has been the highlight of my life and I’m thankful to all those who helped me succeed during my time as Economic Development Director and as a social worker. Please know that Granville County is positioned for continued success, and I can’t wait to see what happens next as I ‘Grow with Granville’ as a regular citizen watching from the sidelines.”
Mills spearheaded many major projects during his tenure, attracting new industries or facilitating federal and state grants for employers like Meel Corp, Certainteed, Bandag, Ontic, Altec, Plantd, Auction Direct USA, Strong Arm Bakery, among others. Mills formed relationships with local, regional and national partners to promote Granville County to employers and improve workforce development programs with Vance-Granville Community College and Granville County Public Schools. Mills has represented Granville County on local and statewide boards and committees like the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the Regional Foreign Trade Board, Tourism Development Authority, and the Economic Development Advisory Board.
A native of Granville County, Mills graduated from J.F. Webb High School in 1978. He attended Mount Olive Junior College and Warren Wilson College before joining the United States Marine Corps, where he served for four years.