County of Lexington hires Mike Eades as new Economic Development Director

After a thorough search, the County of Lexington is excited to announce the hiring of Mike Eades as the County’s next Economic Development Director.

Eades, a 39-year veteran of economic development, will be charged with increasing the County’s industry, economy and job growth, while providing abundant opportunities for all in a quality environment.

A native of Washington County, Virginia, Eades received his B.A. Degree from Emory & Henry College, double majoring in Geography and Geology. He then took postgraduate studies in Economic Geography at the University of South Carolina, and graduated from the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.

Eades’ extensive education and wealth of knowledge of economic development is coupled with the illustrious experience he brings to the position. He began his full-time economic development in South Carolina in 1976. Since then, Eades has served in executive positions for a variety of economic development companies throughout South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Louisiana.

Eades most recently served as the President and CEO of Ascension Economic Development Corp. in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. In the last five years, he’s worked on 16 new projects, representing $933 million in capital investments and 585 new jobs. He also assisted in 35 projects with expansions representing $6.48 billion in capital investment and 1,145 new jobs.

Due in part to his work, Ascension Economic Development Corp. was recognized by the International Economic Development Council and Atlas Advertising for having the highest level of announced new-and expanding-capital investment per capita of any county-political subdivision in North America.

He was also recognized in Southern Business & Development Magazine as one of the “Ten People Who Made a Difference in the South in 2012.”

Eades previously lived in Lexington County for 18 years and participated in a multitude of economic development projects within the County, including Michelin, Pirreli, Golden State Foods and Otis Spunkmeyer. His work also extended beyond County lines, including Union Camp and FN Manufacturing to Richland County.

Eades will begin with the County of Lexington on November 21^st. We are honored to welcome Eades’ talents back to Lexington County, as part of the County’s Economic Development team and look forward to seeing him grow within our County.