The former chairman of the county’s Republican Party is challenging several other Republican candidates this year for a seat on the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.
Greg Edds, 50, was among a handful of Republicans who submitted their bids on the first day of filing this month.
Working as a local State Farm agent, Edds has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and has not served in any public office before.
“I have personal and business relationships all across Rowan County and in every municipality. People I speak with say they are hungry for leaders who can build respectful, productive relationships,” Edds said. “They’re looking for leaders who can solve problems — leaders who can create a vision for our county that will get us moving again economically.”
People want leaders who will help restore a sense of pride and a belief that the county’s best days lie in the very near future, Edds said.
“I love this community, and I am committed to doing these things,” Edds said.
Edds said there is no question the county has “much work to do,” and education must be a top priority.
“(Education) cuts crime, strengthens our tax base, helps recruit good jobs and lays a foundation of success and social responsibility for our children,” Edds said. “We need to bring together elected leaders from each municipality along with our top business leaders, our education leaders and our economic development professionals to create a countywide economic development plan.”
The county needs an “all hands on deck” approach, Edds said.
Rowan County should narrow its job recruitment focus, identify those industries officials want to attract for citizens, prepare the community for them and then go after them with a vengeance, Edds said.
“At the same time, we need to partner our economic development commission and local colleges to create a competitive, prepared and tailored workforce,” Edds said. “We need to further streamline local regulations for prospective employers and make sure our rules are necessary, cost-effective and transparent.”
The county has to be aggressive in recruiting as well as having every organization, municipality and elected official pulling in the same direction, Edds said.
“Our citizens don’t expect our elected officials to agree on everything, but they do expect them to be respectful and to represent us well,” Edds said. “We have significant issues that demand the immediate attention of every leader in Rowan County. We need to clearly identify these issues and pour our energies into solving them. Our citizens deserve nothing less.”
In the community, Edds is a member of First Baptist Church of Salisbury, the Civitan Club of Salisbury and a past member of the Rowan County Planning Board.
Edds also worked as chairman of the Rowan County Chamber of Commerce and currently serves as chairman of the Rowan County Airport Advisory Board.
Edds and his wife, Kim, have three children.