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Jarrod Facchino
Registered Voter Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
No
Previous experience in elected office:
None
Age:
~56
Occupation:
Director of software engineering and development at Charles Schwab
Description:
Facchino wants more foot traffic around Mount Holly to support small businesses. He cited a number of the strong attributes of Mount Holly in a candidate forum: that the budget has remained stable, that "water and sewer" have had upgrades, and that the crime rate is low. He is an advocate of "the arts," including greenways and parks, and believes that economic development includes not only new businesses and jobs but those community assets as well.
Other personal:
Facchino is the father of four girls and has a bachelor's degree from the University of South Carolina. He is a registered Republican.
The Gaston Business Association Questionnaire
Please provide a short introduction (50 words or less) highlighting your background and achievements.
I have over 25 years of experience working for three large financial services companies in several leadership roles. I bring skills that translate well into serving on council: strategic planning, budgeting and financial accountability, regulatory adherence, and collaborative team leadership.
What inspired you to run for city/town council, and what specific qualities or experiences make you well-suited for this role?
This is my first foray into politics. I’m not running as a politician, but as a downtown resident of Mount Holly. When I moved my family here 11 years ago, on the surface, there wasn’t much happening downtown. I’ve seen it come to life over the past 7 years with several new commercial businesses, expanded greenways, an amazing new park, and a growing arts influence. The city continues to take action on several strategic plans, and we’re seeing the results. I’m running to keep things moving forward for our businesses and residents. My 25+ years of leadership experience working for highly regulated financial services companies make me well-suited to serve on council.
What are your top priorities for your city/town (specifically pertaining to the business community), and how do you plan to address them if elected?
Our downtown businesses need increased foot traffic patronizing their establishments. The city is in formal negotiations with a reputable developer to bring high-end residential units, a park, and additional parking downtown. Other commercial opportunities exist. I will work in earnest with the council and city staff to move these projects forward. Additionally, we need continued investment in our public arts, recreational programs, and nonprofits.
Please select one of the following local issues, and provide a brief description of your stance on the topic: Economic Development, Public Safety, Transportation & Infrastructure, or Education.
Economic Development: The are 4 key components to my economic development plan:
1. A Vibrant Downtown – Continue supporting development opportunities that increase the foot traffic for our downtown businesses.
2. Arts, Greenways, Parks, a Recreational Programs – These initiatives attract new businesses, residents, and tourists to our town and enrich our community.
3. Support and Promote Our Nonprofits – Council is one form of leadership, but our nonprofits play a critical role in moving things forward.
4. Commercial Development Beyond Downtown – Promote growth outside the downtown core to create additional revenue streams and help keep tax rates low for our citizens.