wave graphic

Rutherford County Economic Development Names Tom Johnson as President

For Immediate Release – July 12, 2017

Tom Johnson, CEcD, HLM

Tom Johnson, CEcD, HLM

FOREST CITY
, NC – Rutherford County Economic Development (RCED) is pleased to announce that Tom Johnson has been named President of the newly formed RCEDC and RCEDA nonprofit public-private organization, effective July 1st, 2017. Tom Johnson has been the Interim Director of the Rutherford County Economic Development Commission since November of 2015, assisting with recruitment activities and the organization’s transition from a county department to a nonprofit public-private entity. Mr. Johnson stated “I am honored to become the initial President of the newly formed organization and look forward to working with RCEDA and RCEDC to collectively help make Rutherford County a better place to live and work.”
 
Prior to joining Rutherford County Economic Development, Mr. Johnson most recently worked in private real estate and previously held positions as the Executive Vice-President at AdvantageWest North Carolina, the President of the Greene County Partnership in Greeneville, Tennessee, and the Executive Director of the Burke Economic Development Council in Morganton, NC. He also worked in Rutherford County from 2006 through 2011 where, among other projects, he was instrumental in bringing Facebook to the area. Mr. Johnson holds the Certified Economic Developer accreditation (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council and has been awarded an Honorary Life Membership (HLM) in the Southern Economic Development Council. 
 
Rutherford County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) and Rutherford County Economic Development Association (RCEDA) are also proud to announce it has officially received tax-exempt status under Sections 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) of the United States Internal Revenue Code, respectively. As of July 1st, 2017 Rutherford County Economic Development is fully functioning as a nonprofit public-private entity, with daily operations being spearheaded by RCEDA. The IRS letters granting Rutherford County Economic Development its 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) tax-exempt statuses are available upon request.
 
“We are pleased that, after many months of planning and transition, we’ve arrived at this point,” said Mike Gavin, chairman of both new entities. “This has been a carefully considered and deliberate process that we anticipate will bring new investment and job creation to Rutherford County. We are appreciative of the support we’ve received so far and look forward to sharing more about that as the fundraising process continues.”
 
In an effort to support economic development activities in Rutherford County, RCED is in the midst of a five-year capital campaign, Transforming Tomorrow Together. Please join us on August 8th, 2017 at 5:30 PM at the Foundation Performing Arts Center at Isothermal Community College located at 286 ICC Loop Rd, Rutherfordton, for a public kick-off reception to learn more about the initiatives and goals of the newly formed RCEDC and RCEDA organization and how we can work together to advance economic prosperity within Rutherford County!
 
Rutherford County Economic Development is a nonprofit organization supported by public and private funding. The mission of Rutherford County Economic Development is to alleviate unemployment and underemployment within, and stimulate the economic development of Rutherford County and its several municipalities by fostering and promoting business and industry, developing commerce and trade, and inducing the location of manufacturing, assembly, and commercial enterprises in Rutherford County. Rutherford County has a population of 67,810 and is centrally located between Charlotte, NC, Asheville, NC and Greenville, SC. With a strong infrastructure system including roads, water, sewer and fiber, Rutherford County is well positioned for continued growth.

###



Click here for a PDF of this Press Release