Provides coordinated, meaningful services and programs to residents, businesses, development prospects and other City departments that directly maintain and grow Whitewater’s quality of life. Works with various commissions and community organizations to promote common development goals and objectives in the City. Initiates and coordinates activities designed to promote job growth, new investment, and economic growth in the City. Initiates and implements specific efforts towards facilitating growth and retention of both existing and new businesses in the City. Maintains a positive working relationship with Department Heads and staff, business representatives, elected and appointed city officials, community groups, outside governmental agencies, local media, and the general public.

The Economic Development Director serves on a number of staff teams including the Economic Development Team, Project Management Team and the Management Team. As a member of the City’s Management Team, the Economic Development Director may be called upon to assist with the overall administration of the City of Whitewater in the consideration of general policies, programs and projects. The Economic Development Director functions under the direction of the City Manager within the Department of Administration. The Economic Development Director also serves as the Director of the Community Development Authority.

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary.

• Serves as the primary point of contact for business inquiries, business development projects, and business prospects.
• In conjunction with the Economic Development Team, develops and implements citywide economic development marketing strategies to address business retention and recruitment as well as industry/sector development, Develops and maintains appropriate materials for the same. Responsible for operating an effective business retention and expansion program (BRE), strengthening public-private relationships, bolstering a positive local business climate, and promoting/facilitating business expansion. Maintains a schedule of frequent one-on-one visits and joint visits with local businesses as part of the program.
• Responsible for the research and coordination of work between City departments and local firms to resolve problems and respond to business and development issues. Responds to business inquiries and assists in obtaining services and assistance for new and existing businesses and industries in Whitewater.
• Develops and maintains contacts with local financial institutions, utilities, construction and real estate companies to facilitate business startups, expansions, and the site selection process.
• Maintains and updates the content on the city's Economic Development web pages.
• Maintains an up-to-date inventory of existing businesses and available industrial and commercial sites and buildings throughout the City; Maintains current data concerning the City of Whitewater, the Whitewater region, the City's labor force, and the City's retail trade areas. Analyzes the data to identify opportunities, concerns, and trends. Assembles and regularly presents data to site selectors, business leads, community groups, the Common Council, CDA, and city staff.
• Attends and may serve as the City Manager's designee to various local and regional boards that may include Whitewater's Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Main Street entities as well as the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium, Walworth County Economic Development Alliance, and Capital Ideas Technology Zone.
• Assists the City Manager and other staff members in the development and application of policies and programs related to Whitewater's Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIDs), New Market Tax Credits, and Economic Opportunity Zones. Assists in the development of strategies and plans related to the long-term closure, extension, or opening of TIDs for the City.
• Responsible to the City Manager for all day-to-day economic development activities in the City including budgeting of resources, developing and issuing reports, attending meetings, seminars, workshops and other trainings. Assists the City's Management Team in developing short- and long-term plans for the City of Whitewater, including capital plans, comprehensive plans, strategic plans, etc.
• Serves as Director of the CDA, and ensures the efficient and effective operation of the Whitewater CDA in compliance with all applicable federal and state statutes and administrative rules, and the ordinances and policies of the City of Whitewater. As CDA Director, is responsible to the CDA and the Common Council for execution of the following duties and responsibilities:
  • Prepares and distributes CDA agendas and supporting materials. Attends CDA meetings, takes minutes, prepares and posts public meeting notices, and coordinates materials for distribution to CDA members as needed.
  • Responsible for ensuring the effective marketing of all city-owned, developable properties available for sale and development. Provides regular updates regarding marketing and sale efforts to the CDA and assists the City Manager in providing similar reports to the Common Council and general public.
  • Coordinates organization participation in state and federal programs through WHEDA, SBDC, Rural Development, EPA, EDA, and other agencies.
  • Oversees the administration of all community development financial programs including, but not limited to the Economic Development Loan Program, Capital Catalyst Fund, Façade Loan Program and housing assistance programs offered, managed, or facilitated by the City of Whitewater and especially the CDA. Ensures said financial programs function in accordance with federal and state requirements and CDA-adopted policy manuals. Works with the City Manager, Finance Director, City Attorney, and other staff members as needed to evaluate the ramifications of financial assistance through various financial means available to the City to encourage economic opportunity.
  • Together with the City Manager, Finance Director, legal counsel, and others as needed, develops, manages, markets, and evaluates other incentive programs used to facilitate economic activity and development. Works to identify and develop additional programs or community and economic development including loan and grant program development, management of development application processing, tax rebate programs, and other incentives. Identifies appropriate grant opportunities and prepares grant applications for funding related to community and economic development, public infrastructure, affordable housing, and other activities in support of the City's and CDA's goals. Provides required administration for any grant funds received.
  • Represents the CDA on various local and regional boards as needed.
  • Coordinates effective application of TID, NMTC, or EOZ resources to facilitate community growth and development in Whitewater. Maintains data related to TID, NMTC and EOZ resources and provides regular updates and instruction on the use of these resources to the CDA. Coordinates all reporting efforts related to these programs on behalf of the City. Reporting efforts include coordination and management of TID Joint Review Board meetings. Serves and the City's/CDA's primary contact for questions, concerns, requests related to TID, NMTC and EOZ programs.
  • Oversees all day-to-day CDA operations including the expenditure of CDA funds, preparing and issuing reports, attending meetings, seminars, workshops and other trainings related to directing the CDA and administering CDA programs.
  • Prepares supporting materials, presentations, requests, and proposals for review by the Common Council, Whitewater University Technology Park Board, Plan and Architectural Review Commission, and other boards and committees on behalf of the CDA.
  • Conducts other tasks or assignments within the scope of the CDA as directed by the CDA.

• Occasionally responsible to provide materials for Common Council meetings and, as a member of the City's Management Team, assist in with a number of administrative duties as needed, including the development of Common Council agendas.
• Coordinate communications and public outreach and oversees the recruitment of sponsors for specific publications, events and initiatives to maximize the potential value of sponsorships.
• Conducts other tasks or assignments as directed by the City Manager.

Education and/or Experience

• A minimum of a bachelor's degree in business public administration, planning, geography, economics, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred, as is designation as a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD).
• A minimum of three years of closely related professional experience preferred.
• Prior grant writing and administration experience a plus.
• Understanding of business plans, financial statements and complex financing options.
• Understanding of real estate transactions and properties with detailed covenants and special values.
• Understanding the unique nature of startups and how to lead those to success is preferred.

• Ability to analyze data and information using established criteria, in order to determine consequences and to identify and select alternatives. Ability to compare, count, differentiate, measure, copy, record and transcribe data and information. Ability to classify, compute, tabulate, and categorize data.
• Ability to persuade, convince, and/or train others. Ability to advise and interpret how to apply policies, procedures and standards to specific situations.
• Ability to utilize a variety of advisory data and information such as code manuals, City ordinances, directories, State statutes, procedures, guidelines and non-routine correspondence.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing with City personnel, Department personnel and City residents.

• Ability to calculate percentages, fractions, decimals, volumes, ratios, present values, and spatial relationships.
• Ability to interpret basic descriptive statistical reports.

• Ability to use functional reasoning in performing influence functions.
• Ability to exercise the judgment, decisiveness and creativity required in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory and/or judgmental criteria.
• Ability to work well under pressure and handle stressful situations, to organize work and set priorities, managing time and resources to meet deadlines and changing demands within the entire operation of administrative services, perform duties with a minimum of supervision.

• Ability to effectively meet and deal with the public.
• Ability to work effectively in cooperation with employees of the City and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
• Ability to work in and maintain an environment that deals with sensitive and confidential information.
• Knowledge of federal and state statutes and rules related to community development authorities, tax incremental financing, redevelopment, eminent domain, comprehensive planning, public finance, and other pertinent topics.
• Comprehensive understanding of economic development including current practices and emerging issues.
• Excellent communications skills and the ability to work with people having very diverse interests.
• Working knowledge of modern office practices and procedures, including use of Microsoft Office.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including features such as filters, formulas, charts, and tables. Experience designing/developing Excel spreadsheets in a financial environment preferred.
• Ability to operate phone system, desktop computer, copy machine, postage machine, fax machine, base radio and cash register.
• Proficiency in typing, 10 key calculator, computers and electronic data processing.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, ability to adjust focus, and the ability to sustain prolonged visual concentration.
• Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and or provide simple but continuous adjustment on equipment, machinery and tools such as computer and other office machines, and or materials used in performing essential functions.
• Ability to coordinate eyes, hands, feet and limbs in performing slightly skilled movements such as typing and to operate various pieces of office equipment.
• Ability to recognize and identify degrees of similarities and differences between characteristics of colors, shapes and textures associated with job-related objects, materials and tasks.
• The employee must exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, occasionally involving lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, kneeling, stooping and or moving up to 25 pounds.

• The noise level in the work environment is moderately quiet.
• Ability to work under generally safe and comfortable conditions where exposure to environmental factors such as repetitive computer keyboard use, irate individuals and intimidation may cause discomfort and poses limited risk to injury.
• The City of Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the American with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

• The Economic Development Director reports to the City Manager.
• The Economic Development Director will supervise interns and clerical staff as assigned.