Harry Mills tapped as interim EDC director

Mar. 6—HENDERSON — Harry Mills, formerly Granville County's economic development director, is minding Vance County's EDC while the county finds a replacement for outgoing director McKinley Perkinson.

County Manager Renee Perry confirmed Mills has been tapped as interim EDC director on Tuesday.

The interim retired from his position in his native Granville County in summer 2023 after nearly a decade on the job. He said he's excited to start and looking forward to working with the EDC team.

"Perkinson has done an outstanding job," said Mills. "She'll teach me a lot."

Vance County is a great community he said, with great leadership, workforce and products — all the ingredients needed for a hearty economic stew.

Mills began work on Wednesday morning to begin the transition process. Perkinson's last day on the job is March 19.

"I am thrilled to have Harry Mills join our team as interim economic development director," said Perry. "Mills will bring his enthusiasm and experience to this role. He's familiar with Vance County and has historically worked with our past economic development directors. I'm looking forward to his leadership."

During his time in Granville County, Mills served on the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, the Regional Foreign Trade Board, Tourism Development Authority and the Economic Development Advisory Board.

"Mills spearheaded many major projects during his tenure," reads an announcement posted by Granville County last year, "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."

Prior to his career in economic development, he served as a social worker for the county for six years.

Mills said he has no interest in permanently replacing Perkinson, so the county will continue to seek someone to fill her shoes.