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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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