RCEDC hires Existing Industry Director

ASHEBORO — Brantley Craft has been hired as the Randolph County EDC’s new Existing Industry Director, RCEDC President Kevin Franklin said in an announcement.

Craft will serve as a resource for established industrial companies across the county, offering support for a wide variety of needs. 

He officially joined the team on May 22. 

Craft’s most recent work experience has been as a graduate intern with RCEDC while completing his studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He recently received his Master of Public Affairs degree with a concentration in Community and Economic Development, as well as a graduate certificate in Urban and Economic Development. He holds an undergraduate degree in Political Science from UNC Chapel Hill.

“Brantley will be a strong addition to our team,” Franklin said. “He’s highly capable, eager to learn, and ready to serve Randolph County industry. We’ve spent the past eight months working together and his move into his new full-time position will be a seamless transition. Brantley will be an asset to our office and the community.”  

A Greensboro native, Craft made his way back to the Triad after several years in Charlotte working in the banking and retail sectors. Deep roots in the community with family and volunteerism led him to the master’s program at UNCG and a desire to build a career in economic development in the Triad. 

He served as a 2022 summer intern with the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce before joining the RCEDC as an intern during the 2022-23 school year. He continues to volunteer with Triad-based White Oak Legacy Foundation, Piedmont Land Conservancy and Bill Craft Park Auxiliary.

“I am thrilled to join Randolph EDC full-time as the Existing Industry Director,” Craft said. “Randolph County is a wonderful place with a strong and growing industrial sector. 

“Thank you to Kevin and the rest of the team for the opportunity and for welcoming me into the office. I am excited to get out into the community, get to know our companies better, and to be a guide, partner, and problem solver to help our industries thrive right here in The Heart of North Carolina.” 

Franklin has been managing the EDC’s existing industry program in addition to his duties as president. Craft will assume the existing industry duties from Franklin and will be tasked with building out an even more successful program. 

His responsibilities will include information sharing, building rapport with local industry leaders through a strong visitation program, planning and coordinating events, and working to meet the individual needs of businesses. 

The Randolph County Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that works with industrial clients in the county. The EDC’s mission is to support a growing healthy economy so that local residents have diverse quality job opportunities through the attraction of new businesses to the area and the retention and expansion of existing business and industry. The EDC is a proud partner of the NC Carolina Core.