County community development director takes new job

Rich Carson will open a PNW office for Citygate and Assoc.

BY CHARITY THOMPSON of the VBJ

Clark County Community Development Director Rich Carson will leave his position after nine years.

Rich Carson Carson’s next endeavor will be opening a Pacific Northwest office for Citygate and Assoc. while pursuing a doctorate in political science at Washington State University Vancouver.

Citygate, based in Folsom, Calif., provides management services for state and local government agencies.

“Their whole thing is about improving government,” Carson said of the company. “That’s what I’d like to do in the Pacific Northwest – work with governments to improve their processes.”

His upcoming 60th birthday seemed a natural time to retire from the public sector.

“It was a good breaking point to say, that’s it, I’m going to commit to doing these (new) things,” Carson said.

Challenges in residential development also factored into Carson’s decision. He said issues with the mortgage industry have caused the County’s Community Development Department to suffer with the construction industry for the last couple of quarters.

“Our revenues are really bad,” he said, noting there could be departmental budget cuts. “Residential development in Clark County makes up at least 60 to 70 percent of the industry and it’s hurting. … I don’t want to be around for the downturn.”

Carson spent 30 years in government roles including assistant city manager of Oregon City, Ore., program analyst for the Oregon State Economic Development department and planning developer for Metro, the Portland area’s government.

“Everything I wanted to do, I did,” Carson said. “I think I created one of the best community development departments in the country, and it was a good break point.”

He will work for Citygate and pursue his doctorate from home in Hockinson, and he plans to remain active in the local community.

“It isn’t like I’m going to sit out on the front porch and watch the birds go by,” he said.

The County will begin the search for Carson’s replacement immediately.

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