Who is Robert Carney, Jr., 2023 candidate for Cornelius Board of Commissioners?
Name: Robert Carney, Jr.
Age as of Nov. 7, 2023: 42
Campaign website or social media page: CarneyforCornelius.com
Occupation: Economic Development & Technology Consulting
Education
College and degree: East Carolina University: 2005 Graduate - BSBA Marketing & Business Mgmt.
•ECU Homecoming Court
•Fraternity member: Sigma Alpha Epsilon (Recruitment Chair)
•Selected for SAE leadership School in Chicago. IL
Additional Educational Background:
Continuous education in Economic Development at UNC Chapel Hill – School of Government. Concentrations include:
•Strategic Planning
•Marketing and Attraction
•Entrepreneurial and small business development strategies
•Workforce Development
•Development Finance
Urban Land Institute
•Urban land use planning
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought or held)
This is my first time running for elected office.
Please list your highlights of civic involvement
Boards and task forces:
•Mayor Washam’s Transportation Task Force
•Charlotte Regional Partnership – EDAC Chairman (2-terms)
•Mooresville Downtown Development
•NC Economic Developers Association
•International Economic Development Council
•Centralina Council of Government: Workforce Development
•Lake Norman Transportation Commission
Civic Organizations:
•Top of the Lake Rotary - Rotarian
•United Way of Central Carolinas - Board Member
• LaunchLKN/LaunchCLT - Entrepreneurship Mentor
Volunteer / Charity work:
•The Relatives
•Youth Villages
•Boys and Girls Club
•Charlotte Rescue Mission
•United Way
What are, in your view, the most important issues facing Cornelius, and what would your approach be to handling them if elected?
I’ve decided to run for Town Board because Cornelius has reached a critical point in its growth. In recent years, I’ve watched residents become frustrated and upset by how we’re growing and its impact on our quality of life. My family and I share those frustrations. As Commissioner, I plan to prioritize fiscally responsible growth, traffic mitigation, including the delivery of Exit 27, public safety, quality of life amenities, and communication with residents. My approach and qualifications are further outlined in the next questions.
Communities across Mecklenburg County have seen growth and development as well as a hot real estate market in recent years. How should Cornelius approach development and housing issues?
I want Cornelius to own its development future. A community that uses creativity, innovation and discipline to ensure tomorrow’s growth demands make us better, not worse. It’s common for communities in our situation to become highly reactive to the interests and demands of the private sector. When this happens, you choose which best bad decision suits your community, and that’s the problem. Whether you’re “pro-growth” or “anti-growth,” in both cases, you’re reacting and responding to how the market values Cornelius. This is backward, and I will work with town staff and leadership to change this. The market focuses on how it may pull or draw value out of Cornelius when it should be the other way around. Cornelius’ focus must be on leveraging development that aids in improving traffic, generates revenue for the community to keep our taxes affordable, and adds amenities that improve the quality of life for us.
What separates you from your opponent(s)?
As a former head of Economic Development in Iredell and Cabarrus counties, I am uniquely positioned to serve. I’ve been a subject matter expert on community growth, strategic planning, and traffic mitigation for over 15 years. I’ve led numerous regional boards and task forces, including the NC Economic Developers Association, the Charlotte Regional Partnership and the Centralina Council of Government. I’m currently serving on Mayor Washam’s transportation task force. I have the right professional experience and relationships (both locally and in Raleigh) to ensure that any future development in Cornelius adds to our quality of life rather than detracts from it.
What one professional or political accomplishment are you most proud of?
During my tenure as the Executive Director of the Mooresville - South Iredell Economic Development Corporation, we were ranked the #1 micropolitan in the nation for eight consecutive years by Site Selection Magazine. We were also twice ranked as a Top 10 Economic Development Corporation in the nation.
