September 15, 2023
The Granville County community gathered on September 14 to celebrate the career of Harry Mills and wish him a happy and long retirement!
Mills retired this summer after nine years as Economic Development Director and fifteen years of service to the county including his time a Social Worker for Granville County Senior Services.
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. 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, and countless 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.
Best wishes to Harry for a long, happy, and healthy retirement!