Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Director To Leave Economic Office

After two years as the executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, Chandler Russ is stepping down.

He gave notice to the Interlocal Cooperative Industrial Development Board of Directors Friday, June 26, stating he would remain at his post for three weeks.

Russ will be going to Copiah County, Mississippi, which is near Natchez off Interstate 55.

"It's closer to home and I wanted to get back," he said. "If not for this opportunity, I think it would have been 10 or 12 years before I could get back to that part of the state.

"I can't emphasize how good Prescott and Nevada County have been to me. I've enjoyed working with everyone here."

Russ will assume similar duties at the head of the Copiah County EDO. The county, he said, has a population of about 40,000 with three large communities Hazelhurst, Wesson and Crystal Springs.

There are also two industrial parks in the county, he added.

"It's a nice deal," he said. "I'll be able to get closer to home.

"My board and the people here have been overwhelming in their support and I can't thank them enough.

"We've worked, done some goo things together and had a lot of successes. This work will be continued because there is a capable economic development board and the city and county are behind economic development. It made my job a lot easier."

Russ said the board will find a top-quality person to replace him.

Some of the successes the area has enjoyed with Russ as head of the EDO include getting Red River Knitting to locate in Prescott.

Other successes are: Funshine Furniture; St. Michael's Health Care Facility; a new industrial park; approval from the council to construct a spec building; increased membership in the EDO; the industrial appreciation golf tournament and barbecue; Gifford-Hill; Love's Country Stores; completion of the Arkansas Community of Excellence (ACE) certification; the Bodcaw- Waterloo Rural Water Project; an ISTEA grant; and the At Risk Kids Foundation.

Under Russ, every available building on the market in the area has been filled with a new business or industry.

But, as he said, being sought by other areas means things are going right here. Russ plans to wrap up some loose ends and assist the board in finding a quality replacement.

Directors, he said, aren't leaving Prescott because they aren't happy here, but because of the good job they've done.

The Nevada County EDO has been in placed for four-and-a-half years, with Russ being its third director.

"I'm excited about my new opportunity," he said, "but sad about leaving so many good friends."

In his letter of resignation, Russ told the board this opportunity is the only chance he sees of returning to his home state and an area he loves and be close to his immediate family.

"This was a hard and lengthy decision process," he wrote. "I am excited about the new opportunity, but sad I am leaving a place I truly respect and admire. But most of all I am sad I am leaving such good friends."

Russ wrote the board shouldn't be surprised to get calls from him asking advice and perhaps for a sympathetic shoulder. He also said he would do what he could to help this area as well.