Republic hires first director of economic development

Gail Noggle began Nov. 1 as Republic’s first economic development director. She works there three days – or about 30 hours – per week and spends the other two days at the chamber, where she is remaining indefinitely.

The chamber is expected to make a recommendation on the future of Noggle’s position to its board of directors on Nov. 14, and the board should consider that recommendation Nov. 21, Noggle said.

Noggle’s contract with the city runs through December 2008, and her annual salary is $40,000, according to City Administrator Jim Krischke.

She is responsible for promoting new business growth, preserving existing business and working closely with the Republic chamber to enhance business in the city, according to a city news release.

In addition to Noggle’s salary, the city has budgeted $30,000 for economic development purposes, such as marketing, training and conferences, Krischke said.

The city and chamber had been considering the economic development director position since early 2006.

“Since the consolidation of Brookline into the city of Republic, the city has made a significant investment in infrastructure,” Republic Mayor Jim Collins said in the release.

“This work is nearing completion, and the need to attract new business has become a priority. We want to promote a healthy city with an emphasis on job growth and revenue growth to support our citizens.”

Noggle said she plans to spend the next three months updating the city’s marketing materials, which involves conducting new research on demographics and other city information.

She’ll next focus on reviewing zoning ordinances to make sure all policies for new business are up to date.

Then, Noggle will begin meeting with developers, both locally and across the country, to interest them in investing in Republic, she said.

“The current definition we’re using for economic development is ‘job-related businesses,’” she said.

“We want to continue to create an environment that is a good, strong community where people can work, play and live.”

Before joining the chamber in April 2006, Noggle was president of Gail Noggle Investment Services for six years as an independent adviser for ING Financial Services.

Her community involvement has included stints as vice chairman of community development for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau and board member for various other organizations.