Brunswick County officials have consolidated the county's economic development and planning departments and named a new director after the previous economic development director resigned recently.

Planning director Mike Hargett is now Brunswick's director of economic development and planning services after he was appointed to the position by county manager Ann Hardy. The county's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to accept Hardy's recommendation to combine the departments.

As a result of that decision, more changes are on the way.

"The County will advertise and recruit for an Economic Development Manager, who will report to Hargett. A Planning Manager will also be selected, and will similarly report to Hargett," said a news release issued by the county Tuesday evening. "The departmental merger is expected to increase collaboration and resource sharing between the two departments, and to facilitate communication between the two departments and enhance services to customers."

The county's previous economic development director, Michael DiTullo, resigned last week after less than four months in the position. His resignation came a day after details about Brunswick County potentially being in the running for a new, large employer were reported. Officials have not disclosed a reason for his resignation.

Hardy said the county will be announcing an internal selection process to existing planning staff for the planning manager position.

"We will advertise for the economic development manager within the next 10 days," Hardy said Wednesday in an email. "We hope to have someone in place within 3-4 months. Mike will serve as the county's leader and primary contact for economic development matters."

According to the release, Hargett was hired as Brunswick County planning director in November 2013.

Before that, Hargett was town administrator for Carolina Shores and had also previously worked as assistant city manager, development services director, budget officer and in the planning department for the city of Wilmington.

He's the former owner of a private company that did planning work on a contractual basis for towns in Brunswick and Columbus counties, among others, and worked as a private developer, primarily in Brunswick County, the release said.

Brunswick County commissioner Marty Cooke, who is also vice chairman of the board, said Hargett is a good choice because of his knowledge, his resourcefulness and his drive to find the best overall solutions, among other attributes.

"He understands business, he understands politics, he understands building relationships...He's like a Renaissance man or a Swiss army knife," Cooke said Wednesday. "He's got so many components to him that are just outstanding."