Sugar Grove economic leader to resign

Perry Clark announced at Tuesday's Sugar Grove village board meeting that he is resigning as executive director of the Sugar Grove Economic Development Corp. effective Aug. 31.

Clark, 43, said he was resigning in order to pursue outside business interests and because he is planning to run for public office.

"Because of my business interests and my political ambitions, I believe it would be a conflict of interest to remain as executive director," Clark told the board.

Clark would not state what office he plans to run for, except that it is local. He was a village trustee for six-and-a-half years before he became executive director of the Economic Development Corp. over four years ago.

When asked if he planned to run for village president, Clark said, "I never said that." The term of current village President Sean Michels ends in May 2009.

Clark later told reporters that he has been a partner in a consulting business run out of Beloit, Wis., since 2007.

"My partner basically runs it, I have been doing contract negotiations in the evenings," Clark said.

"But the company is growing and I want to give it more attention. I also have interests in other businesses southwest of here. I want to avoid a perceived conflict of interest.

"I had a wonderful time at my job," Clark said. "I have no problem with any groups or individuals." He added that "the board (of the Economic Development Corp.) is supportive of my decision."

Clark stated that his political aspirations played a "huge" part in his decision to resign and said that he would announce his intentions to run for office in late August or early September.

"I love Sugar Grove, it's a caring community," Clark said.

Clark moved back to Sugar Grove last December after living in Montgomery for two years. He lived in Sugar Grove for 12 years before moving to Montgomery.

The Economic Development Corp. is a public/private corporation formed in 2003 in order to retain and attract businesses to Sugar Grove.