Location: Harrison County, Indiana – 30 minutes from Louisville, KY, along I-64.
Reports to: Board of Directors
Position Overview:
The Executive Director of the Harrison County Economic Development Corporation (HCEDC) will lead and manage the organization’s efforts to foster economic growth and prosperity within the county. This includes spearheading initiatives for business attraction, business retention and expansion, workforce development, infrastructure development, and site acquisition. The Executive Director will work closely with local government, businesses, educational institutions, and other stakeholders to create a sustainable, diversified, and thriving economy in Harrison County.
Key Responsibilities:
Business Attraction:
- Lead efforts to attract new businesses to Harrison County, targeting key industries that align with the county’s strategic economic goals.
- Represent the county at marketing events, conferences, and other networking activities to promote Harrison County as a prime business location.
- Develop marketing campaigns and materials to showcase the advantages of doing business in the county.
- Respond to inquiries from potential investors, site selectors, and businesses, providing detailed information about available resources and incentives.
Business Retention and Expansion (BRE):
- Develop and implement strategic programs that support the growth and sustainability of existing businesses in the county.
- Engage with local businesses regularly to understand their needs, challenges, and opportunities for expansion.
- Identify businesses at risk of downsizing or relocating and develop strategies to retain them within the county.
- Collaborate with regional and state economic development partners to provide technical assistance and resources to local businesses.
- Manages and conducts the Small Business Development Loan Program, including interaction with the applicants, the review committee and the Southeast Indiana Small Business Development Advisors.
Workforce Development:
- Collaborate with educational institutions, workforce agencies, and employers to address workforce needs in Harrison County.
- Develop and promote workforce training programs that align with the needs of local businesses and industries.
- Facilitate partnerships between businesses and local schools, colleges, and training programs to foster talent pipelines for in-demand skills.
- Monitor labor market trends and workforce data to anticipate future skill needs and inform economic development strategies.
Infrastructure Development:
- Work with local and regional stakeholders to identify and prioritize critical infrastructure projects that will support economic growth.
- Advocate for the development and improvement of transportation networks, utilities, broadband, and other essential infrastructure in the county.
- Identify funding through grants, public-private partnerships, and other means to support infrastructure initiatives. Secure funds where possible.
- Ensure that infrastructure projects are aligned with the long-term economic development goals of the county.
Site Acquisition and Development:
- Lead efforts to identify, acquire, and develop sites suitable for business and industrial use.
- Work with landowners, real estate professionals, and government agencies to facilitate land use and zoning approvals for site development.
- Ensure that sites are prepared for business attraction through predevelopment activities, such as environmental studies, permitting, and utility access.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, economic development, urban planning, public administration, or related field.
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in economic development, business development, or a related field, with demonstrated success in business retention and expansion, business attraction, and/or workforce development.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal economic development programs, incentives, and resources.
- Experience in managing infrastructure projects, securing funding, and coordinating with public and private sector stakeholders.
- Ability to analyze data, develop strategic plans, and implement programs that drive economic growth.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills, with a strong ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
- Knowledge of land acquisition, site development, zoning regulations, and commercial real estate is highly desirable.
Compensation:
The Executive Director position offers a competitive salary commensurate with experience in the range of $85,000 - $115,000, along with performance-based incentives.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Darrell Voelker, dvoelker@hcedcindiana.org
The Harrison County Economic Development Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer
