Former Shelby economic developer to lead BDI as president, CEO

Burke Development Incorporated has hired a new economic development leader who takes the reins about five months after the state classified Burke County as among the most economically distressed counties in the state.

BDI announced Tuesday that Brandon Ruppe began work as its new president and CEO on Monday, March 30.

As president and CEO, Ruppe will lead Burke Development Incorporated, the nonprofit responsible for recruiting new industry, supporting existing businesses and advancing site and infrastructure development across the county.

One of the group’s major ongoing projects is a speculative shell building funded in part by a $20 million state reallocation approved in late 2024. Construction is underway, with completion expected in late 2026. Ruppe is expected to focus early efforts on recruiting a company to locate in that facility.

According to the written announcement, Ruppe brings experience in industrial recruitment, workforce partnerships, and large-scale economic development across Western North Carolina. He has been involved in projects totaling more than $800 million in capital investment and more than 600 new jobs, working alongside local governments, state officials, and private industry.

Most recently, he helped coordinate the sale of a publicly owned shell building in Cleveland County to PPG’s aerospace division. That deal brought more than $380 million in investment and more than 100 jobs, and marked the return of aerospace manufacturing to the area.

Most recently, Ruppe was the economic developer for the City of Shelby. Prior to his Shelby appointment, he worked for the Cleveland County Economic Development Partnership.

Ruppe also served in the military, with deployments in Jordan, Syria and Iraq during 2019–20 in support of Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve. He received both the Army Commendation Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

He earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Western Carolina University.

In a statement, Ruppe said both professional opportunity and personal ties drew him to Burke County.

He pointed to ongoing work to develop industrial sites and the level of collaboration among local partners, calling it “exceptionally robust.” He also noted his family connections to the area and said both of his children were born at UNC Health Blue Ridge.

“I feel a deep, personal commitment to supporting the economic prosperity of this community,” he said.

— AKC