Gettys receives statewide honor; RCEDC hits 40-year mark

Crystal Gettys (Courtesy photo)

ASHEBORO — Crystal Gettys of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation was named the 2025 Economic Developer of the Year by the North Carolina Economic Development Association.

The association pointed to Gettys’ more than 25 years of transformative impact on economic development across the state.

“She was recognized for leading the effort to bring the Ross Stores distribution center to Randolph County and the City of Randleman – a $450M, 852-job project,” said Kevin Franklin, president of the Randolph County Economic Development Corporation. “Crystal worked for four years on the site, ensuring that it was ready to go when Ross Stores became ready, and that’s the work we should be celebrating from our economic developers.”

Gettys is business recruitment director for RCEDC. She’s a former consultant with Sanford Holshouser Economic Development and former President of the Wayne County Development Alliance.

“Economic development is never done alone — it takes vision, partnerships, and community trust,” Gettys said. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible people who care deeply about the places they call home.”

The statewide association said that Gettys played a central role in the development of other landmark sites such as the Airlie Business Park and the Goldsboro Industrial Campus. Her civic leadership includes service on numerous boards and committees, including the North Carolina Southeast Partnership, Wayne County Chamber of Commerce, and the Military Affairs Committee at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. She has also served as board chair for the Downtown Development Association in Lincolnton and has been a volunteer with Junior Achievement.

RCEDC celebrates 40 years

At its 40th annual meeting, RCEDC recognized The Timken Co., winner of the 2025 Outstanding Industry Award and Baxter Hammer as 2025 Industry Leader Awardee.

Milestones for RCEDC were celebrated, including: Completion of Randleman dam in 2024 for the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority; formation of I-73/74 and U.S. 64 bypass; Greensboro-Randolph megasite; Ross Stores project; workforce initiatives with Apprenticeship Randolph and recent launching of “Ride the Rise” campaign’ and NC Carolina Core branding.

“I acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe to our core legacy—our industrial, business, and agricultural communities — and to the entrepreneurial spirit of those who have sustained our economy through successes, economic downturns, and even a global pandemic,” said Fred Smith, board chairman of the RCEDC. “Whether no longer with us or flourishing today, we honor these companies and citizens with sincere appreciation and admiration.”

Shannon Morrow, senior manager at Rheem Manufacturing and Jamie Halstead of Toyota Battery Manufacturing-North Carolina, were appointed to the RCEDC board of directors. Frank Edmondson of Schwarz Properties was reappointed.

A presentation on developing water infrastructure to accommodate business and community growth for the decades ahead concluded the program.