HOMER — The Banks County Commissioners Office has released the identity of the person commissioners and the county development authority have determined to be the finalist for the county’s economic development post.
On Monday, the two bodies released the name of Hannah Marie Mullins of Metter, who was interviewed by officials during a recent closed session for the position of executive director of community development.
“She’s coming to us from Metter,” Banks County Commission Chairman Jimmy Hooper said Tuesday. “She’s been executive director of economic development for several counties, so she’s very familiar with small businesses and growing the economy in the county.”
Mullins has worked in business development for Barnett Southern Corp. in Washington, Ga., and served as executive director for both the Candler County Industrial Authority in Metter and the Washington-Wilkes Development Authority in Washington, Ga. Prior experience includes serving as real estate manager for M & M Contracting of Jasper.
“We’re excited about Hannah coming,” Hooper said. “She’s moving into Banks County and going to be an integral part of our county. She’s got children that are going to be in the Banks County School System, so this is going to be a positive thing for Banks County.”
Hooper said that in compliance with the law, commissioners had to release the name(s) and related information about up to three finalists for the position at least two weeks before making an official appointment.
“We have to wait 14 days,” Hooper said. “I anticipate that there will be no hiccups along the way and hopefully she’ll be on scene the first week in December coming to work for Banks County.”
Mullins received a bachelor of business administration degree in management from Kennesaw State University, and a master of arts in organizational leadership with a certificate in servant leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash.
Banks County Development Authority Chairman Scott Ledford also has positive things to say about Mullins.
“At the end of the day, I’m very pleased that we’re able to have another economic director move into this position, and that the works of the county, the works of our board, and the works of the commissioners continue to move forward for the benefit of the citizens,” Ledford said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that Hannah will work hard for us. She seems like a true hard worker. I think she will be a benefit to the county in that active role, pushing the economic development of the county.”
In addition to her work experience, Mullins served on the board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Candler County, is a graduate of Leadership Pickens County, is a mentor/graduate of Lynda Brannen Women’s Leadership Foundation, and served on the steering committee on Connect Candler Leadership.
During her time as executive director of the Candler County Industrial Authority, the Pickens County native was instrumental in the location of Linzer Products’ fifth and largest U.S. plant, and was actively involved in the establishment of CPE America’s U.S. headquarters in a formerly vacant spec building in the county’s industrial park, as well as the later location of CPE’s partner company, Everdigm, bringing some 250 jobs to the community.
Banks County officials are hopeful for similar successes.
Ledford said Banks County has a lot to offer prospective industries and businesses, and he’s hopeful Diana Food is just the beginning of great things for the community.
“We’ve got a lot of parcels still out there that can benefit the community greatly,” Ledford said. “These investments have to be focused on; that’s what offsets your property taxes. If we can make these happen, it’s a big deal.”
Mullins will succeed Brad Day, who resigned recently to return to private sector economic development consulting.
