Prince Edward County has announced the hiring of Kate Pickett Eggleston as economic developer, a role filled for the first time since former Economic Developer Sharon Carney retired in June 2016. The hiring of a candidate was approved by the county’s board of supervisors during a Feb. 6 meeting to discuss the Fiscal Year 2019 budget. The hiring comes during a time of noticeable business growth in the county, albeit mostly confined to the Town of Farmville.

Farmville has seen the opening of Little Caesars, Third Street Brewing Company and will soon see the opening of the Tru by Hilton hotel and the Hotel Weyanoke among other businesses. During the meeting, Prince Edward County Administrator Wade Bartlett said the county relies on Virginia Economic Developement Partnership and Virginia Growth Alliance for leads on businesses.

The town is seeing success in business growth. Even during the meeting Bartlett discussed increases in revenues. Adding the developer will aim to add success on top of current modest growth. I commend Eggleston on taking the reins of the developer position and for the county’s ability to move forward in securing this key position.

MORGAN WHITE is a staff reporter for The Farmville Herald and Farmville Newsmedia LLC. His email address is Morgan.White@FarmvilleHerald.com.