City to Hire Economic Development Director by August

From a City of Waukee news release:

The Waukee City Council this week agreed to establish a community and economic development department. One of the top council priorities for 2013 is to reshape the approach to community and economic development to put the city in the best position for short term and long term economic success. 

Under the proposal, the city will establish a Community and Economic Development Department that will bring many economic development activities in-house. The city will hire a director to begin in August.

An Economic Development Advisory Board will be created to engage citizens in the development process; working with city staff to write and implement an economic development action plan with the goal of improving the effectiveness of the city’s economic development efforts. 

Mayor Bill Peard said in the news release, “This is a critical time for the city to have a planned, thoughtful approach to managing and attracting economic development to best capitalize on opportunities. The City of Waukee is committed to help businesses succeed in Waukee and to bring desired services to the community.” 

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The new approach centers on the type of development that Waukee will attract as a premier suburb, but also the desired services of the community.

City officials say many of the benefits of the in-house approach include creating a stronger presence of the mayor and City Council in attracting development projects; leveraging existing skills, talents, and resources within the organization and the community; greater consistency in executing long range plans to increase commercial investment; and the creation of a single community voice. 

A job description for the community and economic development director was approved by the council with the establishment of the department. The job will be posted to www.waukee.org and the hiring process will begin with a closing date in early June.

A hiring committee will review applicants and recommend a candidate for selection to the City Council in July 2013 with projected start date in August.