Taney County searches for economic development director

Chowning’s last day in the office was Nov. 9, and she begins as a theater sales representative Nov. 26.

“I was presented an excellent opportunity with Sight & Sound,” said Chowning, who worked for 19 months in the Forsyth-based economic development office, which is funded by the county and falls under the direction of the Industrial Development Authority appointed by the Taney County Commission. “It’s been great working with such a proactive board.”

Dawn Erickson, a Branson freelance writer and economic development consultant, will serve as the interim director until a replacement is found, said IDA Board Secretary Ken Kline. Erickson has assisted the economic development office on several projects.

Kline said several interested candidates have contacted the IDA board regarding the position. The board is concerned, however, about finding a new director from a budgetary stand-point. Kline said an experienced economic development director can make about $85,000 annually.

The office’s entire 2007 budget was $66,000, of which $42,000 was Chowning’s salary.

For 2008, IDA has requested from Taney County a $150,000 budget, which includes about $65,000 for the new director’s salary, and funding for a full-time assistant, the annual work force housing conference and other projects, Kline said.

Chowning had been planning the work force housing conference to be held jointly with the Missouri Housing Development Commission in early 2008.

The date and place in Taney County have not been decided.

Chowning, who filled the county position without an economic development background, identified a critical need for work force housing during her tenure.

Besides the work force housing conference in the works, Chowning worked with Springfield developers Joe and Marie Carmichael of Affordable Homes Development Inc., who in partnership with Ozarks Area Community Action Corp., will build a six-acre apartment complex known as The Woodlands in Forsyth. The Carmichaels are awaiting tax credit approval from the Missouri Housing Development Commission in December.

“It’s the first work force housing project we will have on the eastern side of the county,” Chowning said of The Woodlands.

“We can’t expect the MHDC to solve all of our housing problems. We are going to have to be proactive in finding solutions.”

The county’s office of economic development also has acted as a resource for business, most recently assisting a new Taco Bell/KFC franchise to open in Forsyth. But housing, rather than new business, has been the greater focus of the IDA, according to board member Kline.

“What we found in our research is that many business owners and leaders are extremely concerned about housing,” said Kline, owner of Victorian Heart Co. Inc. in Kirbyville.

“We don’t need to make more jobs. We can’t fill what we have. … Jobs aren’t the issue. Housing is the issue.”

At the theater, Chowning will work with tour and travel professionals, according to Travis Zimmerman, national sales manager for Sight & Sound Theatres, which operates two theaters in Strasburg, Penn.

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