Holly Childs resigned from her role as president and CEO of Wilmington Downtown iNC, the organization announced Thursday afternoon.
 
Childs, whose resignation takes effect immediately, said she is returning “home for family reasons,” a news release stated.
 
She took over as head of WDI in January 2021, shifting the organization’s focus more into economic development and recruitment activities. Childs moved from Morgantown, West Virginia, to Wilmington for the position.
 
During Childs’ time with WDI, the organization has publicly supported New Hanover County’s Project Grace mixed-use plan, administered a grant for downtown businesses struggling during the pandemic’s early phase and worked with developers revitalizing the former Coca-Cola bottling plant on Princess Street.
 
Also during her time, the group got out of the concert business when it ended the free Downtown Sundown series.
 
WDI, which receives money from the city of Wilmington and New Hanover County, operates the city’s Municipal Services District that covers the Central Business District in downtown Wilmington and is funded through a tax on property owners inside the district.
 
“WDI will continue its current programs and initiatives as it transitions into new leadership,” the news release stated.