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Meredith decides against seeking fourth term


RICK MEREDITH
After serving 12 years on the Anderson County Commission for District 2, Rick Meredith has chosen not to seek re-election for a fourth term in 2022.

Meredith is also president of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce.

Meredith said it’s “difficult” to serve in both capacities.

“I’ve served three terms, 12 years, and I’ve done the best I could do for my district,” Meredith said.

“Now I need to focus on the chamber,” he said.

Trying to focus on both, while possible, he said, has been taxing.

Meredith said he wants the best for the citizens of District 2 — always has and always will.

But the chamber’s effect on the county’s growth has taken most of his time.

“I started out working with industrial development, working with the people on those boards, and seeing that come to fruition,” he said of tenure on the commission and with the chamber.

“And now we’re looking at retail development — like you see at the interstate — and our focus moves slightly.”

Meredith said his greatest passion has been education — taking part in the county’s workforce development and education.

“These are the incentives (workforce development and education) to bring in new companies, new investments, to our community,” he said.

Meredith said there is so much growth and expansion happening in Anderson County that it’s hard to wear too many hats.

“When you can’t deliver your undivided attention to the people who elected you, you have to consider how you can be of the most service to the community,” he said.

Meredith has a plethora of acheivements:

He said he is honored to have served the citizens of the city of Clinton and Anderson County on the county commission, serving on various committees, such as Budget, Operations, HR, Agriculture and Finance.

During his tenure as a county commissioner, Meredith was active in securing funding for education and economic development as well as retail development, introducing Tax Increment Financing for retail projects.

Meredith said he has enjoyed his time on the commission, working with his fellow commissioners, over the past 12 years.

“This commission working together has made numerous accomplishments across our county that we all should be proud of,” he said in his release announcing his intention not to run for re-election.

He will continue his role as the president of the Anderson County Chamber of Commerce, Meredith said.