Brunswick County commissioners have approved a formal agreement between the county and a new private-public economic development organization that has been forming since July.
 
After both entities reached a memorandum of understanding, the newly named Brunswick Business & Industry Development (BBID) has just a few more steps to becoming a fully operational entity.
 
The three-year services agreement lists services and an initial county funding plan. The county would allocate $362,500 to the new entity to be paid over six months, which started with the initial allocation of $150,000 on Oct. 1.
 
The new 16-member board for BBID held its first meeting Sept. 26, when the board approved the organization’s new name, according to chairman Jason McLeod.
 
BBID now has a search committee in place for hiring its new executive director with several prospects, he said.
 
As of press time, search efforts were ongoing, according to McLeod. The board anticipates hiring its new executive director by the first of the year.
 
“After we get an executive director, the key to our success moving forward is … basically starting off identifying who we are as an economic development organization as a county and start laying out the groundwork for a long-term strategic plan,” McLeod said. “There’s been positive feedback from everybody involved. Everybody is encouraged – anticipating good things ahead – and we’re really just building a strong foundation for Brunswick County’s future.”