Republic hires first economic development director

Gail Noggle begins Nov. 1 with the city and will work three days – or about 30 hours – a week, the city announced Tuesday. Her contract runs through December 2008, and her annual salary is $40,000, according to City Administrator Jim Krischke.

Krischke said the chamber has yet to determine whether Noggle will remain as its director, in addition to her city position. The chamber’s board is set to meet Nov. 14 to decide.

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.

In the newly created position, Noggle will be 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.”