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Warren County EDC names new economic development specialist; director delivers fourth‑quarter update and previews grants, workforce events
Summary
At its March 23 meeting the Warren County Economic Development Commission introduced Christa Hight as its new Economic Development Specialist, heard a fourth‑quarter report from Director McKinley Perkinson on projects and workforce trends, and received updates on grants and community events; routine minutes and the agenda were approved unanimously.
The Warren County Economic Development Commission introduced Christa Hight as its new Economic Development Specialist and received a fourth‑quarter economic development update at a March 23 meeting at the Warren County Armory Civic Center.
Community and Economic Development Director McKinley Perkinson opened the substantive portion of the meeting with the North Carolina Economic Development fourth‑quarter update, which the minutes say highlighted recent projects, announced jobs and investments, and identified the largest projects and totals by prosperity zone. The minutes record that Perkinson also reviewed workforce trends and several economic scenarios for 2026 and invited questions from board members; the meeting minutes do not include verbatim figures or direct quotes from the presentation.
Perkinson then presented the Director’s Report. She updated the board on the Golden LEAF Foundation site grant process, reported on Vance‑Granville Community College activity shared at the monthly CAMAT meeting, and outlined plans for a round‑table event that will bring local businesses, school staff and students together to discuss workforce pathways and employee retention.
Chairman Claude O’Hagan and board members welcomed Christa Hight, who Perkinson introduced as joining Warren County after roles with the Kerr‑Tar Regional Council of Governments and Vance County Economic Development. Board members introduced themselves to Hight following the introduction.
Commissioner Victor Hunt announced an open forum scheduled for Thursday at 6:00 p.m. at the Warren County Armory Civic Center to discuss a Franklin County storage reallocation request related to John H. Kerr Reservoir and encouraged community attendance. Amanda Briggs, president of the Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce, announced a new satellite Chamber office in Warren County and previewed the Catfish Festival in August at Lake Gaston and a June event at Seven Springs Farm and Vineyard tied to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Perkinson also told the board she is reviewing statements of interest for open board positions and is seeking new members.
On procedural business, the board approved the meeting agenda (motion by Stanley Jones; second by Brady Martin) and approved minutes from Jan. 20 (motion by Stanley Jones; second by Kara Henderson) and Feb. 16, 2026 (motion by Kara Henderson; second by Jim Whitley). All three motions "carried unanimously" according to the minutes; the record does not include a roll‑call tally or verbatim votes. With no further comments, the meeting was adjourned following a motion by Stanley Jones and second by Brady Martin.
The minutes list attendees and staff present, including Chairman Claude O’Hagan; board members Jim Whitley, Brady Martin, Stanley Jones and Kara Henderson; Director McKinley Perkinson; County Manager Crystal Smith; Community Development Manager Rose Ponton; and representatives including Amanda Briggs (Lake Gaston Regional Chamber of Commerce) and Carol Montague‑Davis (Warren County Schools). Visitors recorded were Cherie Nielsen (Tourism Manager) and Luci Weldon (Warren Record).
