Description
At the City of Plymouth, we all work together to add quality to life. This mission and our guiding values – CIVIC: customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection – shape our work as we advance the City Council’s strategic priority to be a city of choice. We are seeking candidates who are eager to adopt and champion our mission and values.
Economic Development Coordinator
Support economic development initiatives such as redevelopment, business creation, retention, expansion and attraction to encourage local employment growth, tax base expansion and economic vitality. Collaborate with elected and appointed officials, staff, business owners, developers and residents on a variety of development activities and projects.
Essential Functions
Facilitate business development, growth and expansion.
- Serve as a primary point of contact for businesses; provide information, connect to resources, advise on permitting, licensing and zoning, and help resolve issues as they arise.
- Manage and coordinate the city’s small business networking group.
- Assist with identifying and recruiting business prospects, responds to new business inquiries, updates an inventory of available sites/buildings and introduces potential businesses to available site brokers.
- Maintain effective relationships with local businesses, lending partners, business groups and organizations and state/county agencies. Present to local groups as requested.
- Arrange and conduct visits with local companies, identify potential expansion opportunities.
- Plan business ribbon cuttings, grand openings, tours and special events, including coordination with internal departments and City Council.
- Respond to economic development inquiries from local reporters, papers, and other news organizations.
- Coordinate participation in Elevate Hennepin program.
- Design and administer new business recognition and promotion programs.
Assist with redevelopment projects and economic development activities and initiatives.
- Facilitate various development projects including coordinating with others and preparing regular progress and technical reports and updates regarding status of such projects.
- Communicate with local and prospective businesses, property owners or brokers regarding available programs, projects, and properties.
- Assist with redevelopment programs and projects and administer loans and grant programs.
- Prepare quarterly and annual department reports and maintain development docket and economic development website pages.
- Oversee city’s site selection online tool and work with site selectors for potential businesses.
- Coordinate with communications staff to regularly update the economic development website.
- Attend Development Review Committee (DRC) meetings to collaborate on upcoming development projects, meet with prospective projects to discuss potential funding opportunities.
- Assist with City land purchases and sales.
Administer, write and coordinate funding opportunities on behalf of local businesses and development projects.
- Manage applications to the DEED Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) and Job Creation Fund (JCF) and other similar applications.
- Write, manage and administer grant awards, oversee application amendments, monitor budgets, ensure compliance, prepare reports and identify potential funding sources.
- Manage TIF applications to the city alongside the city’s financial consultant, Ehlers.
Perform other duties as assigned.
- Attend internal and external meetings as needed and give presentations as assigned.
- Perform other duties and assume other responsibilities as apparent or assigned.
- Assist with redevelopment activities as needed.
- Update relevant city ordinances and policies as directed by the HRA and City Council.
- Support the Community and Economic Development Department as needed, including coordination with the Housing Division.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated ability to perform in accordance with the City of Plymouth’s CIVIC values (customer focus, integrity, visionary, inclusion and connection) and comfort with supporting and advancing the city council’s strategic priorities.
- Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban studies, political science, public administration, economics, closely related field, or equivalent experience.
- One year related economic/community development experience.
- Knowledge of local, regional, and state government processes and programs related to economic development as well as land use/zoning principles and requirements.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with coworkers, other departments, elected/appointed officials, staff, and the general public.
- Organize, coordinate and multi-task on a variety of projects and assignments and meet required deadlines.
- Skilled in computer use, including Microsoft Office/Excel.
- Demonstrated conduct/performance that supports and advances the City of Plymouth's mission and guiding values, as well as the City Council's strategic themes.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Valid driver’s license.
- Two years increasingly responsible experience in economic development and/or community development.
- Experience with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) projects at a local level.
- Master's Degree in Urban Planning, Economic Development, Public Administration, or related degree.
- Detail-oriented, flexible, enthusiastic team player who is willing to work on many different tasks.
- Experience with redevelopment programs.
Supplemental Information
Physical Requirements
Frequent (usually required to perform the job): standing, sitting, repetitive hand motion, walking, stationary desk or bench work with neck bent forward, handling objects (grasping, turning or otherwise using hand or hands)
The employee must be able to lift/carry items from 0 – 24 pounds from 0 – 50 feet. Employee must be able to lift/carry items such as files, binders, office equipment and building plans.