Interviews begin in July

by Patrick Nolan

SBJ Contributing Writer

The city's search for a new economic development coordinator is still in its early stages, said Ralph Rognstad, assistant director of the Planning and Development Department for the city of Springfield.

Rognstad said he began reviewing

resumes after June 1, and he will begin interviewing candidates in July.

The position will remain vacant until a permanent replacement is found.

The city job posting lists the primary duties of the economic development coordinator as:

?Performs responsible professional and supervisory work related to economic and community development policy formulation, project development and coordination, and related research.

?Assumes primary professional, technical and management responsibility for city activities related to economic development.

?Coordinates significant development projects that impact the community's tax base.

Rognstad said a key part of the position is providing information to prospective employers for projects that will create jobs or affect the tax base.

The economic development coordinator needs "an understanding of the economy and opportunities in the economy," Rognstad said.

Former Economic Development Coordinator David Knight, now with Butler, Rosenbury & Partners, said a coordinator needs a background in one or more of the following areas: business, planning, real estate development, chamber of commerce work or public administration.

Knight left the position in April to enter the private sector. He now works in planning and development at Butler Rosenbury.

The economic development position requires responding to business expansion and development, Knight said.

The coordinator will be involved in projects like center city revitalization and the Civic Park.

The job requires a college degree in urban planning, economic development or a related field, such as geography or public administration, according to the city.

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