Economic Developer Bob Heuts Resigns | Eastern North Carolina Now

    Beaufort County Economic Developer Bob Heuts has resigned, effective June 25, 2014, as Beaufort County's EDC executive officer. Bob Heuts replaced former EDC Director Tommy Thompson, when Director Thompson resigned under a whole different set of circumstances.

    As many of you well know, I am a "Free Markets" guy, and I have grown to believe that economic development has become a conundrum of the impossible here in Beaufort County. It's not that I disbelieve in economic development here in Beaufort County, I just do not believe that Beaufort County's government should use taxpayer dollars to reward some, while creating taxpayer competition for others. Having said that, I know that Bob Heuts is by far the best person we have ever had in that position, and it was a pleasure to know Bob.

    Bob is a man that was truthful in practice and personable in performance when executing his position.

    When informed that Director Heuts was leaving, Commissioner Hood Richardson remarked, "Would you want to be the economic developer of a county, where the county commissioners put your public jail (Southwest County Jail) in your Industrial Park that is finally getting noticed (Duke Power)?"

    That could be one explanation as to why Beaufort County is losing this good man. We'll let you know what we know when we know it. The Manager's release is here below.

News Release:

    Commissioners,

    I have received a letter of resignation from Bob Heuts this afternoon to be effective June 25th.

    I do not know what his plans are as I haven't had a chance to discuss it with him at this point due to my being in a meeting today when he came by. Bob has contributed to the County greatly as a member of our management team and while I hate to see him leave, I understand he has to do what is best for he and his family.

    Thanks!

     Randall Woodruff
      Beaufort County Manager

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