HdG Creates Economic Development Department

The Havre de Grace City Council voted unanimously Monday to create an economic development department within the city administration. 

At its Sept. 16 meeting, the council voted, 6-0, to amend the city charter by removing the responsibility of economic development from the director of administration.

There is no director of administration, as the position has been vacant since December.

Currently, the city has an office of economic development and an economic development manager.

Carolyn Sweet was recently hired as the economic development manager, after her predecessor Meghan Simmons resigned in August; Sweet has been reporting to acting director of administration James Newby.

According to the new legislation, the city will establish a department of economic development with a director who reports to the mayor.

It was not clear whether there would be a manager and director of economic development, Councilman Joseph Smith noted after the vote, adding he may put forward a motion so the council could be involved in the director's job description.

"Obviously, there's some more discussion that needs to be had among council about how we staff this department," Smith said, specifically "whether or not we have a director and manager or we just have a director..."

Councilman Fred Cullum raised another issue that sparked discussion, whether the office of tourism should be part of the economic development department.

With the council divided on the issue, Mayor Wayne Dougherty determined that the tourism office would remain separate.