SALISBURY — Mike Caskey says he’s witnessed economic growth in the county and, for that reason, he wants the Rowan County Board of Commissioners to stay the course if he’s re-elected.

Caskey, a Republican, is seeking his third term on the county commission. Also running are Craig Pierce, a Republican incumbent, and Lee Withers, a Republican challenger. Barring a successful write-in campaign, two of the three Republicans will make the board, as no Democrats filed.

Caskey, 47, lives in the Enochville area and works as a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer. He’s also in the 1454th Transportation Company of the Army National Guard.

Caskey says he’s running because “I basically want to continue what we’re doing.”

“In our economy, we’ve seen some expansion and new business since we came into office … I think there’s some more stuff for us on the horizon and I want to be there to help with that,” Caskey said.

Caskey said he’s always tried to be a calm, level-headed commissioner and that “whenever I’m not a commissioner anymore, I want to leave it better off than I found it.” Caskey added that his background in public safety after previously working in a corporate setting, retail and a mill is unique for a county commissioner.

Caskey said incumbent commissioners have worked to build the county’s tax base through the addition of new businesses and jobs. Commissioners have also allocated money to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College to provide job training. The initial allocation of $100,000 allowed the community college to take its existing retraining program on the road across the county.

Caskey also mentioned a $220,000 budget allocation from commissioners this year for a quick-response vehicle in the Miller’s Ferry area. The vehicle would help with slow emergency response times to emergencies in the area, but it’s not intended to be an ambulance. An event is planned Friday for the vehicle’s launch.

“It’s going to be a quick way to get a paramedic to a scene when it’s needed,” Caskey said.

Caskey also mentioned the county opening an EMS station in Rockwell and his work last year to help stabilize the Rowan County Rescue Squad following the departure of former Chief Eddie Cress. Caskey is on the Rescue Squad’s board.

While school closures will likely be a topic of conversation for the Rowan-Salisbury School Board in Caskey’s next term, he said the county commission should focus on their primary mission, which is to handle funding, and let school board members discuss specific issues.

If re-elected, Caskey said he wants to ensure the county provides enough money for resource officers in every school.

Caskey earned his bachelor’s degree from Catawba College and his master’s degree from Montreat College. He attends Piedmont Baptist Church in Enochville, is a member of the Kannapolis Rotary Club, was on the Enochville Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors for 12 years and now serves as a trustee for the department. In December, he was appointed to the N.C. Association of County Commissioners Joint Risk Management Agency Board of Trustees.

Caskey and his wife Melissa have three children — Corina, Michael and Abby.