Harris will manage 18 employees and a budget in excess of $3.2 million. The Clark County Community and Economic Development department operates several divisions within the county, including building regulations, development grants, fair housing, flood plain management, planning and zoning and economic development.
“I’m excited to continue the work this department has been doing and improve upon our relationships with outside agencies and groups within the community,” Harris said in a statement. “Our staff is extremely dynamic in capacity and work ethic. We work hard every day to provide the best services possible for our residents.”
Harris, 29, began his career with the department as an intern in 2015 and was hired full-time as a planner a year later. He was promoted to Planning and Development Administrator in 2017, according to a Clark County press release.
Harris worked with local partners to revitalize the hardest-hit areas of the county as administrator of the Neighborhood Initiative Program and Community Development Block Grant program.
The department will focus on streamlining services to businesses to bring jobs to Clark County, Harris said.
“I grew up in a small pizza business operated by my mom,” Harris said. “Much of what I learned there impacts my desire to help the business community. It’s very difficult to run a small business. As director of development, it’s my responsibility to ensure we are supporting both large and small business in Clark County.”
Harris holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from Wright State University. He and his wife, Erin, recently moved to Clark County.
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