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Veteran
Economic Developer to Head Local Agency |
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April 22,
2004
The Muskegon Chronicle
By Dave Alexander
A familiar face among local business leaders
has been hired to be the next president of Muskegon
Area First.
James B. Edmonson -- former director of community and
economic development for the city of Muskegon -- has
replaced Todd Battle as president of the economic development
agency. Battle left Muskegon recently for a similar
job in Kenosha, Wis.
The Muskegon Area First board of directors unanimously
approved Edmonson's appointment Wednesday.
Muskegon Area First is a creation of local cities and
townships, aimed at promoting Muskegon County and retaining
and creating jobs. The agency has an alliance with the
Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce.
Battle was a young and energetic staffer who headed
Muskegon Area First from its inception in 2000, according
to board Chairman Roland Crummel, Laketon Township supervisor.
Crummel said the board has hired a more experienced
executive in the 50-year-old Edmonson, with hopes that
he will lead the agency for the long term.
"This time, we were looking for stability and an
experienced economic developer," Crummel said.
"Jim's resume kept coming up on top. He is familiar
with the community and has good connections."
Edmonson began working immediately after the board vote.
He seems ready to set priorities, hire staff and get
on with the job.
"We will be matching Muskegon's resources with
targeted industries and then go after them hard,"
Edmonson said, pointing to "high-end" service
jobs such as call centers and high-skilled manufacturing
jobs as obvious targets.
Along with Battle leaving, the agency's administrative
assistant, Laura Kroger, also will leave to pursue a
master's degree. Staffer Gary Nelund, who ran the agency's
building for startup businesses, also has left. Crummel
said Edmonson will be able to hire his own staff within
the agency's $280,000 annual budget.
One of the initial efforts of Muskegon Area First will
be to help the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development
Commission write a federal Comprehensive Economic Development
Strategy report. Muskegon Area First will use that document
as a road map for its activities, Edmonson said.
At the direction of the board, Edmonson and Muskegon
Area First will promote regional cooperation, both within
Muskegon County and as part of West Michigan with Grand
Rapids, Holland and Grand Haven. The multicounty Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy is a key tool in promoting
regional planning and activities, Edmonson said.
Edmonson has 25 years experience in economic development
and managing public-private agencies. He has a bachelor's
degree in geography from Northern Michigan University
and a master's in geography and planning from Western
Illinois University.
He has worked in government planning and economic development
in Louisiana, including as executive director of the
South Central Planning and Development Commission in
Thibodaux, La. From 1993 to 1997, he worked for the
city of Muskegon, leaving to head Jefferson County Job
Development in western New York state until 2002.
Edmonson and his wife, Alison, returned to Muskegon
in 2002 and started WoodWorks of America Inc., a manufacturer
of custom cabinets and furniture. Alison will continue
working with the young company, Edmonson said.
Muskegon Area First has hired Edmonson without a contract
but as an at-will employee. His starting salary is $72,000
a year. The board received 14 applicants for the job
and interviewed five. Former Muskegon Economic Development
Corp. Director John Lindale, now a private consultant,
helped the board with the search, Crummel said.
© 2004 Muskegon Chronicle. Used with permission
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“On
August 11, 2001, we celebrated 50 years in Western Michigan.
You don’t do that without excellent relationships
with everybody.”
Mike Pepper,
General Manager
Howmet Corporation
an Alcoa Business |
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