Carothers selected one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for 2021

March 9, 2021

Hancock County, MS (March 9, 2021) — Janel Carothers, Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission’s Chief Development Officer, has been selected one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers of 2021 by Consultant Connect.

“Each year we ask our robust site selector community and economic development partners to nominate who they feel are truly the best in the industry. These are the leaders who are closing projects and moving economies forward,” said Consultant Connect.

As Chief Development Officer, Carothers is responsible for industrial recruitment, site development, existing industry expansion assistance, and marketing and recruitment outreach to prospective companies and consultants.

She came to Hancock County after serving for five years as the Director of Industrial Development for the Harrison County Development Commission. While at HCDC, Carothers managed business and industry recruitment and expansion activities for the county, serving as the liaison with organizations involved in business and economic development, including site selection consultants, the Mississippi Development Authority, real estate developers and utilities. 

Carothers is a member of the Mississippi Economic Development Council, where she served as the 2012 Communications Chair, and an active participant in the Southern Economic Development Council. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she completed the nationally-recognized Economic and Workforce Development Master's program. 

In 2020, Carothers was recognized by the Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce's One Coast Awards as a winner of the prestigious Top 10 Under 40 award. She also was among the winners of Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40 for 2020.

Carothers and other winners will be featured next month on Consultant Connect’s Twitter and LinkedIn channels. For more information, visit: http://www.consultantconnect.org/top50/ 

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About HCPHC

The Hancock County Port and Harbor Commission was established in 1963 to lead the county’s economic development activities. Stennis International Airport and Port Bienville Industrial Park are home to 30 companies with more than 1,000 employees. For more information visit www.portairspace.com