Lindsay Craven | The Yadkin Ripple

Paul Lowe has been named the Director of Development and Planning for Yadkinville.

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The Town of Yadkinville has a new addition to its staff. Paul Lowe has been named the Director of Development and Planning.

Lowe was born and raised in Hickory, N.C. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science and sociology from North Carolina State University and then went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Appalachian State University.

While he was studying at Appalachian State he interned with the City of Lenoir.

“While I was at Lenoir I did special projects and I helped organize events,” Lowe said. “I also created a business directory while I was there, which is something I am working on in Yadkinville now. I was attracted to this position because it featured many of the components of past positions and will allow me to work on economic development and planning projects.”

In his new position, Lowe will be responsible for code enforcement, economic development, staff support to boards and planning and zoning. Lowe said that while all of his responsibilities are important, there will be a large focus on economic development.

“A big part of my job is economic development and so it will be my goal to locate and attract new employers who will create jobs and expand the local tax base as well as to work with existing firms to support their needs,” Lowe said. “While I will be trying to recruit new businesses in, I also want to focus on the existing businesses.”

Lowe said that he has some ideas he picked up while interning with Lenoir that he would like to see implemented in Yadkinville.

“In Lenoir I did a property inventory of all the vacant properties in town and that’s something that I will be working to implement here,” Lowe said. “This will allow realtors and property owners to call me and add their available properties to the list, which will be featured on the town’s website, and it will be another way for people to market their properties.”

Lowe said that he would also like to see the creation of events like trick or treating downtown and other events that will get citizens out in the community and learning about what’s at their disposal.

Lowe said that he is also reaching out to other economic developers in the area to learn from them and try to get some ideas that can be implemented in Yadkinville.

“I plan to meet with other people who work in economic development in the region like Elkin and Wilkesboro to see what has worked for them and get to know them,” Lowe said.

Lowe said that he was chosen for the position after a series of interviews.

“I think I had the work experience and educational background that they were looking for,” Lowe said. “I think that the time I spent in Lenoir was a true learning experience and helped me to develop my skill sets and competencies, which led to this position with the town.”

Lowe said that he has moved into Yadkinville and is working towards getting settled into his new position and into the community.

“I hope to become a resource to the community,” Lowe said. “My attitude is public service is customer service and I like to serve as a resource to people.”

If you would like to contact Paul Lowe he can be reached by email at plowe@yadkinville.org or by phone at 679-8732.

Reach Lindsay Craven at 679-2341 or at lcraven@heartlandpublications.com.