• Assist in the preparation, updating, and implementation of plans and strategies for promoting economic and community development in the community.
• Respond to Business inquiries, maintaining inquiry log and provide follow-up assistance
• Assist in implementing new or exiting programs to attract businesses to successfully locate or expand in the city by providing information on the city, demographics, sites, financing options, and other pertinent information. 
• Assist in the processing of required city permits or regulations. 
• Assist the Community Development Director in implementing strategies to successfully market the city to prospective businesses, visitors and residents
• Assist in the preparation of resource materials, data, reports and case information provided to the EDA and city council that informs membership of economic development best practices and trends.
• Serve as liaison to the business community and community groups including the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, Anoka County Economic Development Partnership, Blaine Business Council and other organizations as applicable.
• Assist in the implementation of a Business Expansion and Retention (BRE) Program.
• Monitor workforce trends for Blaine and the Minneapolis/St. Paul region, reviewing for workforce trends and workplace deficiencies.
• Update and maintain the Blaine Business Park Guide, current information on availability of sites and buildings, employment data, tax information, utility information, and other information useful for relocating or expanding businesses.
• Attend and make presentations to community and business groups
• Implement and host EDA’s hospitality tent at the 3M Open tournament.
• Implement and host EDA’s annual business appreciation golf tournament.

Skills: Economic Development Strategy, Business Inquiry Management, Program Implementation, Permit Processing, Marketing Strategy, Report Preparation, Community Liaison, Presentation Skills

• Keeps appropriate staff up to date on information that may impact program goals and objectives, and initiates appropriate strategies and policy change recommendations
• Regularly reports progress in completing the essential responsibilities listed herein and updates County’s Economic Development team on meeting goals and objectives, economic development strategies, progress of projects, results of contacts with business representatives, and other reports 
• Serves as a point of contact for Economic Development
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in assigned work areas as approved
• Keeps immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress and project status, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems
• Responds to citizens’ questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner
• Communicates and coordinates with others to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interagency operations and activities to help keep a positive work environment as well as works as a team member
• Respect the opinions of others and maintains a positive and professional working relationship with employees, supervisors and others
• Accepts and performs in a timely and effective manner changes in work assignments and/or how work is performed

Skills: Policy Recommendation, Progress Reporting, Stakeholder Engagement, Continuous Learning, Work Progress Communication, Customer Service, Interagency Coordination, Team Collaboration

• Proposes, develops and implements strategies to achieve goals and objectives for economic development and marketing for industrial, retail and commercial businesses in the County
• Creates and manages business recruitment, retention and expansion projects
• Establishes and maintains a network of private and public contacts to market County as a business expansion or relocation site, including but not limited to state, federal and regional resources
• Represents the County’s Economic Development team by marketing, recruiting, retaining, strengthening and developing businesses throughout County
• Creates, analyzes, produces, and implements marketing initiatives and concepts which promote economic development opportunities in County
• Develops and maintains a list of available properties, potential projects and appropriate uses for the purpose of recruiting, retaining and expanding businesses throughout the County
• Informs appropriate staff of potential incentives and other resources to advance economic development efforts in the County
• Provides site location information to businesses interested in locating to County and coordinates inquires with local economic development professionals, Chambers of Commerce, Destination Caldwell and other like-minded agencies
• Understands and explains economic development tools, such as industrial revenue bonding, Urban Renewal, Foreign Trade Zone, or other means as allowed by law to interested parties
• Works with local, regional and state agencies and organizations on building a trained workforce in the County

Skills: Strategy Development, Project Management, Networking, Business Representation, Marketing Initiatives, Property Management, Incentive Knowledge, Site Coordination

• Coordination of clients internal project reviews
• Develop and maintain relationships with clients internally and externally
• Monitor and influence progress on track construction projects at industry locations
• Initiate and coordinate on-site development meetings
• Conduct research, compile data and perform special projects
• Understand, utilize monitor and provide reports on clients internal projects process tools
• Develop and implement an aggressive and pro-active awareness campaign and outreach to grow creative businesses and art-related programs and opportunities for Pierce County.
• Develop a data base of creative businesses and makers space opportunities in the County and maintain this in the Customer Relations Management (CRM) system.
• Develop goals and recruitment strategies for obtaining strategic arts partners and supporting arts growth.
• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with a network of key community stakeholders, jurisdictions, and arts organizations.
• Work with stakeholders to leverage Arts and Creative opportunities in Pierce County.
• Identify needs and opportunities to support the growth of the Arts and Culture Industry.

Skills: Project Coordination, Relationship Management, Progress Monitoring, Meeting Facilitation, Research and Data Analysis, Process Tool Management, Campaign Development, Stakeholder Engagement

• Implementation of approved new programs to achieve critical success factors.
• Responsible as lead for assigned business attraction and expansion projects which includes developing proposals, in collaboration with internal business areas, for infrastructure improvements, cost estimates and schedules, communicating proposals to and negotiating terms with prospective customers.
• Provides project status reports and ensures various business areas are responsive to various external stakeholders.
• Periodically, work with the Regulatory Department, as well as the Department of Public Service to resolve challenges with business attraction and expansion projects.
• Actively participates and serves as the company liaison to economic development organizations for economic development opportunities
• Participation and presenting for events at the local, regional and state levels to develop and enhance business relationships
• Encourage strategic efforts for business expansion, attraction, and retention activities to increase corporate delivery revenue and new capital investment.
• Serves as a mentor and provides technical/business support and policy interpretation to other internal business areas that support economic development initiatives to maximize effectiveness and ensure positive outcomes.
• Responsible for timely and successful resolution of customer issues related to economic development program offerings through collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Identify and initiate process improvement through research, planning, change management and training activities to gain efficiencies which increase customer satisfaction, reduce costs and increase profitability

Skills: Program Implementation, Proposal Development, Project Management, Stakeholder Communication, Regulatory Collaboration, Event Presentation, Strategic Planning, Mentorship and Support

• Thorough working knowledge of marketing strategies for industrial and commercial properties.
• Thorough working knowledge of public and private financing techniques and programs for economic development and redevelopment including the ability to apply creativity to each situation.
• Knowledge of business location and expansion considerations and ability to address those concerns utilizing sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing, to other staff members, advisory commissions, city council members, and outside groups to enhance understanding of economic development issues.
• Ability to maintain informational and database files.
• Ability to prepare grant applications to public and private sources.
• Ability to review and analyze financial statements of businesses.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of people, communicating mutual goals and policies into coordinated action. 

Qualifications: BA in Economics with 5 Years of Experience

• Knowledge of economic development concepts and strategies, business retention and expansion practices, and business, market, and economic indicators and trends.
• Skilled at building and managing complex relationships with diverse individuals, organizations, and stakeholders.
• Perform duties independently without close supervision.
• Exceptional problem-solving skills.
• Ability to adapt to process changes and manage ambiguous situations.
• Skilled in providing excellent customer service.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skilled at record keeping and records management.
• Above average knowledge of routine software and business applications, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and Google programs (G-Mail, Google Calendars, Google Docs).
• Experience in a directly related field or performance of similar duties and responsibilities.

Qualifications: BA in Business Administration with 7 Years of Experience

• Experience in Business, Planning, or Economic Development
• Knowledge of general office procedures
• Proficiency in database, internet, and MS Office applications
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and tactfully with the general public and co-workers
• Ability to be self-directed, including working independently and as part of a team
• Ability to understand and follow instructions of a routine and complicated nature.
• Ability to do basic bookkeeping
• Basic knowledge of economic development, commercial real estate, or commercial lending preferred
• Ability to read, write, interpret and verbally give instructions
• Ability to be mobile within the primary work location, as well as other locations outside the primary work location

Qualifications: BA in Urban Planning with 4 Years of Experience

• Working knowledge of economic incentives and financing methods.
• General understanding of planning, zoning, project approval, and permitting processes.
• Experience with project management principles and practices.
• Basic understanding of County government and functions of the various departments in County government.
• Understand the operating characteristics of Geographic Information Systems.
• Working knowledge of general marketing concepts and principles related to economic development.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Flexibility when working on multiple initiatives simultaneously and often with little/no notice when priorities change
• Familiarity with business economic concepts 
• Detailed understanding and/or experience with electric services to large, industrial facilities including any related impacts on substation circuit design and planning

Qualifications: BA in Public Administration with 6 Years of Experience

• Experience working for an economic development organization
• Experience working in economic disaster recovery and resilience
• Understanding the use and need of basic contracts specifically indemnification, environmental, and insurance provisions
• Understanding of geographic boundaries, zoning concepts, land use planning, engineering challenges, environmental issues, surveys and platting
• Must be able to present a positive image of the city to prospective business clients and the community.
• Ability to use New Business Review, APD, CPAR, Controlled Use
• Strong knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish 
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 

Qualifications: BA in International Relations with 3 Years of Experience