Economic Development Manager

Job Summary

The Economic Development Manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic future of Cottage Grove. This position is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing strategies that attract investment, support local businesses, and enhance the overall economic vitality of the community. Marketing and outreach for commercial, retail and industrial development are of the highest priority for this position. Performs a variety of routine and complex administrative, technical and professional work in the preparation and implementation of economic development and redevelopment activities.

Essential Job Functions

• Promotes economic development by assisting and working with existing and prospective businesses and developers interested in the City of Cottage Grove. Assists existing business with expansion and reconstruction projects. Helps businesses through city, county and state processes; and provides guidance and counseling to complete new development projects as expeditiously as possible.
• Develops and executes long-term economic development plans aligned with the City’s strategic plan.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the City and local businesses, developers, and community organizations.
• Develops and maintains regular contact and a positive relationship with the chamber of commerce, civic groups, business owners, property owners and economic development or community development related organizations and agencies including regularly attending events with these organizations to represent the City.
• Develops and implements economic development marketing and promotional activities effective at attracting new development, redevelopment and investments in Cottage Grove.
• Helps to facilitate development agreements for economic development and redevelopment projects including coordination of property acquisition, relocation efforts, site clearances and related actions.
• Researches, designs and implements programs to facilitate the recruitment of new businesses and the retention and expansion of existing businesses.
• Oversees the City’s Façade Improvement Grant program which is used to revitalize the commercial inventory in Cottage Grove.
• Maintains and updates databases on commercial properties, business trends, and workforce metrics.
• Manages requests for public subsidies and other incentive programs such as tax increment financing and tax abatement.
• Maintains an understanding of relevant state and federal agencies, available grants and other potential financial resources.
• Attends meetings and acts as a staff liaison to the Economic Development Authority (EDA) including preparing reports, packets, and presentations, presenting to the EDA, conducting research, answering questions, providing advice and suggestions.
• Responds to requests for information on economic development and redevelopment projects; prepares data sheets, financial reports and other information. Responds to citizens inquiring about local economic development activities and opportunities.
• Conducts research and develops agenda items for presentations and consideration and makes oral presentations at City Council, Planning Commission and other Advisory Commissions meetings as needed.
• Responds to inquiries regarding business opportunities and providing information to prospective businesses regarding available land, zoning regulations, and other information as requested.
• Keeps abreast of legislative developments which may impact economic development programs, policies, and/or procedures and implements approved follow-up actions.
• Establish strong relationships and work closely with planning, zoning, and building staff to facilitate proposed and planned development projects.
• Prepare and manage leases for EDA and city-owned properties.
• Perform all other necessary duties as apparent or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Economic Development, Urban Planning, Public Administration, Business Administration, Marketing or related field.
• Five years of progressively responsible municipal government experience in economic/community development related activities or a combination of municipal and comparable private sector experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional ability to develop and maintain positive and effective working relationships with City Council, Commissions, city personnel, staff of other agencies, individual businesses, business organizations, developers, community groups and the general public.
• Ability to organize and coordinate support from professional and technical city staff, legal and financial consultants and others as required to insure successful completion of community development or redevelopment activities.
• Exceptional ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing with elected officials, businesspersons, developers, contractors, residents, city staff and the general public, including making formal presentations.
• Considerable ability to use creativity and sound judgment to resolve differences and respond to challenges.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of community and economic development, planning and zoning.
• Knowledge of strategies, techniques or requirements relating to addressing environmental problems associated with economic development or redevelopment projects.
• In depth knowledge of financial strategies for development.
• Knowledge of management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of budget development and administration.
• Thorough knowledge to supervise and motivate staff either directly or through others.
• Considerable ability to develop and implement department policy and to provide effective leadership and promote teamwork.
• Computer skills to include word processing and spreadsheet software.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.