The Economic Development Director performs promotional and consultative work in developing and directing an economic development program for the County.An employee in this class is responsible for consulting with local officials, community leaders, and industry executives for the purpose of promoting the industrial growth through expansion and retention of existing industrial bases, and attraction of new industries and business into the County. Duties include development of data, statistics, and publications which portray the economic potential of the county; identification of prospective industries; and maintaining proper records, reports, and public information for the program. Work requires considerable planning and timely execution of work. Decisions must be made quickly with accuracy when dealing with the industrial management teams. Employee must exercise independent judgment and simultaneously must consider financial, socio-economic, legal, and regulatory variables as they affect the County. Work is performed under the general direction of the County Manager and the Economic Development Commission and is evaluated through conferences, reports and results.

Essential Job Functions

• Serves as initial contact for potential industries and businesses considering new location or expansion; shows sites and arranges meetings with local officials; researches land and coordinates contacts for the property; serves as liaison during plant or facility construction; investigates labor supply, utilities, and works with various groups to ensure the availability of an adequate, well trained workforce for industrial concerns.
• Develops marketing tools for the economic development of the County including brochures, flyers, booklets, website, and ads, etc.
• Develops a network of contacts to identify potential parks and sites; monitors building projects and works with local officials.
• Develops grants and funding sources to support infrastructure improvements, i.e. Community Development Block Grants, rural Development Administration and NC Rural Economic Development Center Fund; researches, writes and contracts for grants procurement and administration; lobbies and works with Department of Transportation for road and highway improvements and keeps abreast of long range transportation plan.
• Maintains contact with state industrial developers, community leaders, and representatives of businesses and industry.
• Develops business retention program; visits each industry in the county regularly to stay abreast of their status, any potential for expansion, and assists with problems; follows up on requests.
• Keeps current records on sites and buildings, and reports changes to the State industrial developers; keeps files and statistics on labor wages, demographics, economic base, maps, profiles, utilities, retail sales, building permits, finances and schools; reports on growth announcements and statistics on various agencies.
• Supervises administrative staff; makes work assignments; provides guidance on workload; monitors and evaluates work; and may initiate disciplinary action; makes recommendations for final selection, salary increases and dismissal to the County Manager.
• Prepares department budget recommendation; establishes yearly goals and objectives.
• Serves as staff resource and technical consultant to the County Economic Development Commission, and to the Board of Commissioners; and makes presentations to commissioners on infrastructure expansion to support new or expanding industry.
• Researches and recommends strategies, serves on Board, and promotes Main Street program for the County.
• Coordinates efforts with a wide variety of local, regional and state groups such as Regional Partnership officials, NC Department of Commerce and others; serves as a liaison for various city, county, and state agencies and organizations.
• Coordinates immigration, visa, and other issues for visiting staff and dignitaries for international companies.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.