GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Under general direction, the Economic Developer leads and manages the City of Tallmadge’s economic development initiatives, aligning them with strategic goals to enhance growth, improve quality of life, and foster a thriving business environment. Reporting to the Director of Administration, this position is responsible for driving economic growth, overseeing land development initiatives, managing grant writing, and supporting the Director of Administration. The role develops and executes comprehensive strategies for business attraction and retention.
The Economic Developer’s primary responsibilities include promoting the City to attract new businesses, retaining existing ones, and developing and implementing long-term economic development plans. This role emphasizes engaging with stakeholders to build strong partnerships and leading marketing efforts to establish a distinct identity for Tallmadge. These efforts focus on business engagement, economic opportunities, and enhancing the quality of life in Tallmadge. The position also prioritizes revitalization initiatives, advocating for improvements to commercial corridors, and marketing the City as a premier destination for businesses.
Responsibilities include leading the following activities:
Business attraction and retention:
- Attracts new business: Promotes the City to potential investors and companies considering relocation or expansion.
- Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program: Develops and maintains strong relationships with existing businesses and works to address their needs to prevent relocation.
Community and Stakeholder Relations:
- Builds strong relationships with the business community, the Chamber of Commerce, regional economic development organizations, neighboring communities, and other key stakeholders in Northeast Ohio.
- Coordinates ribbon cuttings including scheduling, press notifications, invitations, etc. with the Community Development/Communications Manager.
- Works in close partnership with the Tallmadge Grow, Inc., a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) to advance the City’s economic development initiatives, and may serve as a trustee and an executive officer on the board.
- Actively participates in and contributes to the work of the Tallmadge/Brimfield Joint Economic Development District (JEDD). Serves as the Mayor’s designated representative on the JEDD Board and may assume an officer position on the board. Responsible for the overall administration of the Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) program; coordinates the Tax Incentive Review Council meetings, which reviews Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) and Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects.
- Responsible for the administration of the New Jobs program; coordinates with the Director of Finance for disbursement of incentive payment Represents the City in public forums, trade shows, and community events to promote economic opportunities.
- Planning: Develops and implements plans that promote economic growth, job creation, and business retention within the community. Focus on aligning economic development initiatives with the city’s long-term goals, leveraging regional partnerships, and identifying emerging opportunities to enhance the local economy.
Revitalization:
- Works to revitalize targeted areas and promotes mixed-use and traditional development.
- Advocates for enhancing the attractiveness of commercial corridors.
Digital Presence:
- In coordination with the Community Development/Communications Manager, uses the City’s website and social media platforms to promote economic development initiatives.
Property and Business Directory Management:
- Maintains a current list of commercial properties in Tallmadge available for sale or lease.
- Creates and maintains an internal directory of commercial and industrial businesses located in Tallmadge.
Technical Advisory Role:
- Serves as a technical advisor to the Mayor, Council, and department heads on the impact of proposed developments.
- Possesses a strong understanding of zoning codes and their implications for the City’s business development goals and objectives.
Manages all aspects of grant efforts related to economic development, including research, qualification, cultivation, proposal development, submission, reporting, tracking, and stewardship of grants.
Responsibilities include:
- Grant Writing: Serves as the primary grant writer for economic development, collecting and organizing current research for proposals, coordinating programmatic narratives with relevant individuals, completing necessary forms and attachments, and assembling budgets and proposals for submission.
- Informs community businesses of potential grant opportunities and assists with grant submissions as needed
Engages in public outreach on behalf of City (e.g. promotes the City through speaking engagements; attends, and may staff a booth at business and industry trade shows, attends meetings regarding economic development; prepares or assists with updating City brochures; staffs special business and community committees, as appointed; etc.)
Works on other miscellaneous and special assignments (e.g. assists the Director of Administration on various tasks, projects, and annual requirements; may serve on regional organizations.)
Assists the Planning and Zoning Manger with implementing and updating the City’s comprehensive plan (e.g. recommends changes to the City’s Zoning Ordinances; recommends changes to the City’s Subdivision regulations; evaluates planning and economic development initiatives in relation to current, projected, and potential needs of the City;; advises developers and provides guidance to successfully move proposals through procedures required for requesting developments, zoning changes, alternative locations within the current zoning plan; possess an understanding and familiarity with zoning districts and how changes might impact the goals and objectives of the zoning code, comprehensive plan and what is needed to achieve economic development initiatives; etc.)
Organizes, attends, and speaks at various meetings, seminars, and workshops. including Portage Development Board and Tallmadge Chamber of Commerce meetings; may attend City Council and Planning and Zoning meetings, as required.
Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, professional guidelines.
Demonstrates regular and predictable attendance.
Performs other duties as assigned.
To apply, please complete a copy of the City of Tallmadge application and return to hr@tallmadgeoh.gov.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS: An example of acceptable qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in economics, finance, business administration, or public administration and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in economic development or public administration or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A minimum of two (2) years’ grant writing and grant management experience is preferred. A master’s degree is preferred with a minimum of two (2) years of experience in economic development. LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid State of Ohio driver’s license. Must remain insurable under the City’s vehicle insurance policy.