Economic Development Program Manager

JOB SUMMARY

This is administrative and technical work in economic development, environmental programs, and marketing management. The work involves developing and coordinating the City's economic development strategies; maintaining liaison with local, state and federal agencies responsible for economic growth; acting as a contact person for business and environmental concerns requiring information on local economic development and brownfield programs and policies and providing staff assistance for organizations as assigned.

Position provides direct assistance to businesses with problems concerning all municipal services, including coordination of permits and zoning. The position serves as a liaison for Bay City Electric, Light and Power (BCELP) and provides assistance to economic development projects and existing businesses with electric rate and service issues. This includes serving as an advocate for any City business or potential business to facilitate a successful service interaction with all respective City departments.

Position provides assistance with environmental needs, as assigned. This includes overseeing the Middleground Landfill, environmental reviews for federally funded projects, and environmental concerns on property located in the City.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

• Serves as a representative of the City of Bay City at various meetings and works closely with Bay Future in the effective marketing and development of commercial and industrial properties located in the City.
• Collaborates with the Economic Development Project Manager and Community Development Director, as well as other City Divisions and Departments to plan and implement the City's economic development programs and objectives.
• Provides premier customer service to citizens, internal and external customers by responding to requests in a positive, timely, effective and professional manner.
• Provides professional economic development advice, assists in applications, permits, and zoning requirements. Coordinates interaction and assistance between developers, contractors, and other City departments.
• Develops and implements a business recruitment, retention, and expansion campaign in partnership with Bay Future, Inc.
• Coordinates economic development strategies for redevelopment of property that is abandoned or underutilized. Promotes the redevelopment of city-owned and private-sector industrial and commercial properties. This includes the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategy to identify and effectively market all industrial and commercial properties that are not being utilized or are underutilized.
• Maintains confidentiality while participating in negotiations for the acquisition or disposition of real property.
• Gathers information on other local, state and federal economic development programs to ensure the City's programs are contemporary and competitive. Develops and implements short and long-range economic development strategies and action/work plans, public/private partnerships for development, and business assistance programs for existing and prospective businesses. Recommends adjustments in programs, activities, policies, and procedures to further economic development goals. Additional responsibilities include the packaging, coordination and document management of local, state and federal economic development incentives.
• Maintains contacts with local business owners and operators to inform them of the City's economic development policies and programs and assess their needs for assistance. Serves as liaison with business entities during development to access the various programs such as the Brownfield, Obsolete Properties, Industrial Facilities Exemption, Neighborhood Enterprise Zones, as well as other City services. Works with…