Chad Thomas, the new Lenoir County Economic Development director, spoke at Tuesday’s County Commissioner Meeting. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

Chad Thomas is ready to bring innovative ideas to Lenoir County.

Thomas began his tenure as the director of Lenoir County Economic Development on Tuesday, being introduced at the Lenoir County Commissioners’ meeting at the Cooperative Extension building. Commissioner Preston Harris had kind words for Thomas.

“My first impression was that he’s very energetic, knowledgeable and experienced in economic development,” Harris said. “I believe he’ll do a great job here.”

Lenoir County Manager Michael James said Thomas will bring great energy to the department.

“He brings a lot of innovative ideas to economic development and he’s passionate about his job,” James said. “He’s someone who understands (the importance of) bringing the big industrial clients to town, but he also cares about the new local businesses and the small ones already established here. He’s got a great perspective and he’ll do great all over Lenoir County.”

Thomas is a native of Statesville, but has spent a considerable amount of time in Utah, earning his undergraduate degree at Southern Utah University. While in Utah, Thomas also served as the director of Downtown Provo, along with additional work in communications and public relations capacities.

Thomas, who received his graduate degree from Appalachian State, said he felt the job in Lenoir County was a great fit.

“There is some amazing leadership here in the county,” Thomas said. “There’s active people reinvesting in the community, whether it’s Mother Earth Brewery, Chef and the Farmer, but also key infrastructure for economic development (like) the Global TransPark, and also the amount of land here was really attractive.”

Thomas said he will focus on bringing business to Lenoir County, but also putting attention toward strengthening the current community.

“We definitely will continue to go out and recruit for business to come here, and that’s a very component of economic development, but also I think what’s important about economic development is marketing the community, really focusing on what we can control, taking pride and helping small businesses.”