Taney County searches for economic development director

Chowning announced her resignation Oct. 31, and she begins as a theater sales representative Nov. 26.

Since April 2006, Chowning worked for the Forsyth-based economic development office, which is funded through the county and falls under the direction of the Industrial Development Authority appointed by the Taney County Commission.

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.

Kline said several interested candidates have contacted the IDA board regarding Chowning’s position.

However, the board is concerned about finding a new director from a budgetary standpoint. Kline said an experienced economic development director can make about $85,000 annually. The office’s entire 2007 budget was $66,000. For 2008, IDA has requested from Taney County a $150,000 budget, which includes funding for a full-time economic development director 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 location in Taney County have not been decided.

For more on Joan Chowning’s decision to leave the Taney County Office on Economic Development, see SBJ’s Nov. 19 issue.