Economic Development Manager

• Location 220 N. Commerce Avenue,Suite 100,Front Royal, VA, 22630,United States
• Employee Type Non-Exempt

• Name Kayla Darr
• Phone
• Email Kdarr

County of Warren

Economic Development Manager

General Definition of Work

Performs responsible professional work managing the County’s business retention and expansion program, small business support, and incentive and zone program compliance. Work involves conducting employer outreach, resolving business issues with County, Town, and state partners, verifying performance under incentive agreements, maintaining Department data and records, supporting business attraction projects, and serving as the Economic Development Director’s designated backup. Work requires independent judgm ent and discretion with confidential business information.

Work is performed under the general direction of the Economic Development Director.

Essential Functions / Typical Task

(These examples are illustrative only; additional related duties may be assigned.

Plans and conducts the County’s business retention and expansion (BRE) program, including a structured schedule of employer visits against an annual target set with the Economic Development Director; prioritizes high-value employers, target-sector firms, and companies showing expansion or risk signals.

Documents BRE visit findings and tracks follow-up; routes employer issues such as permitting, utilities, workforce, and transportation to the responsible County, Town, or state agency through resolution.

Identifies expansion projects early and supports them through site identification, incentive eligibility screening, and coordination with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP); monitors early-warning signs of contraction, relocation, or closure and escalates them to the Director.

Designs and implements local business support programs aimed at retention and long-term sustainability; organizes employer round tables, recognition activities, and industry events.

Serves as first point of contact for small business, start-up, and downtown business inquiries; conducts direct outreach to identify business needs, challenges, and growth opportunities, and develops local programming in response.

Refers clients to the Small Business Development Center, SCORE, the Chamber of Commerce, lenders, and financing programs such as SBA and the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority.

Guides businesses through County and Town permitting, licensing, and zoning processes in coordination with Planning and Building Inspections; supports recruitment of businesses into vacant downtown commercial space with Town partners.

Administers the Technology Zone program, including intake, eligibility review, application processing, and recommendations to the Director

Maintains a compliance calendar for all performance agreements, grants, and incentive awards covering job, wage, and capital investment milestones; collects and verifies performance documentation in coordination with Finance, the Commissioner of the Revenue, and the County Attorney.

Prepares incentive compliance reports and, where performance falls short, documentation supporting clawback or repayment recommendations under County policy; tracks and reports annually on return on investment for incentive awards.

Maintains the Department’s customer relationship management (CRM) system for prospects, BRE contacts, and project activity.

Produces labor market and industry data using JobsEQ and other sources; conducts basic economic impact analyses; prepares quarterly activity reports, staff reports, and briefing materials for the Director, County Administrator, and Board of Supervisors.

Connects employers with Warren County Public Schools CTE programs, Laurel Ridge…