ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
General Statement of Duties
Performs a variety of work in the overall promotional and consultative work in developing and managing
an economic development program for Gibsonville, including overseeing a Main Street program.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class organizes and implements economic development functions and strategies
from conception to completion, including business retention and expansion, product and media development,
business attraction, and develops incentive programs that may be offered by the Town, State of North Carolina
or federal government. This position is responsible for planning, organizing and implementing the Main Street
program and consulting with local officials, business, and community leaders for the purpose of promoting
downtown and town-wide business development through expansion and retention of existing development, and
attraction of new business into the Town. Duties include development of data, statistics, and publications which
portray the economic potential of the Town; identification of prospective businesses and areas of new
development; and maintaining proper records, reports, and public information for the program. Work also
includes grant writing and development, coordination of Main Street program, and related tasks, and assisting
in the coordination of downtown activities. Work requires considerable planning and timely execution of work.
Employee must exercise independent judgment and simultaneously must consider financial, socio-economic,
legal, and regulatory variables as they affect the Town. Work is evaluated and performed under the general
direction of the Town Manager.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks
Coordinates downtown and town-wide economic development programs, revitalization and rehabilitation
activities and projects, including analysis and monitoring, and business development, expansion and recruitment.
Establishes and facilitates public and private sector projects resulting in capital investment, job creation
and expansion of the tax base; Assists the Board of Alderman and Town Manager in developing public/private
economic development opportunities in critical and confidential negotiations.
Prepares, develops and manages applications for grants to assist local industry and other town economic
development initiatives. Develops projects/programs to enable to receive grant funding; including scope of work,
narrative, tasks, evaluation criteria, personnel required, and budget. Administers grant program funds through
program analysis and financial reporting. Assists other departments with grants and planning efforts.
Implements and manages the accreditation process to become a NC Downtown Association Community
affiliate and eventually a NC Main Street community; Serves as coordinator of the Main Street or affiliate program
and its board; plans and executes monthly meetings, agendas, budgets, and reports on activities; serves as
liaison between public and committees; researches and recommends grants, policies and strategies to the
merchants, Town Board of Alderman and others; prepares brochures and other materials for marketing
purposes.
Develops plans to promote the growth and retention of existing businesses and attract new business;
maintains regular contact with existing and potential businesses and the merchant’s association to stay abreast
of their status, any potential for expansion, and assists with problems; follows up on requests.
Markets the town and aggressively recruits business prospects and economic opportunities through the
development and distribution of marketing materials, digital communication and other means; Manages the
information and promotional material on the town website and other social media platforms.
Develops and helps to plan industrial/commercial land zoning in the town with the necessary utilities.
Works with the Town Planner and other agencies to review the implementation steps and best practices.
Develops a network of contacts to identify and recruit potential commercial and business clients;
collaborates with town, county and state officials to recruit major industrial, commercial and manufacturing
clients; assists clients with the requirements of applying for economic development incentives; meets with
various local and regional groups to further economic development goals; builds cooperative working
relationships.
Maintains contact with community leaders, merchant association and representatives of businesses and
industry; visits businesses and owners regularly to stay abreast of their status, any potential for expansion, and
assists with problems; follows up on requests; prepares quarterly newsletters, brochures, and makes
presentations regarding economic development activities.
Assists in planning, organizing, coordinating and implementing various plans and projects including
beautification and aesthetic efforts, cultural, commercial, and tourist events, and related activities; designs
beautification projects in concert with Boards, stakeholders and citizens; helps to manage downtown event
planning, organizing and coordination.
Serves as initial contact for potential businesses considering new location or expansion; shows sites and
arranges meetings with local officials; research land records and coordinates contacts for the property.
Keeps current records on sites and buildings; keeps files and statistics on demographics, economic base,
maps, profiles, retail sales, building permits, finances and schools; reports on growth announcements and
statistics on various agencies; updates web site information as needed.
Develops and utilizes surveys and other research tools to benchmark and evaluate business retention
efforts, to identify areas of concern for local businesses and to evaluate the workforce and skills needs of local
employers.
Handles problems, inquires or concerns and provides solutions.
Additional Job Duties
Performs related duties as required.
Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities
 Thorough knowledge of principles, practices and processes involved in downtown and town-wide
commercial development and marketing, press relations, and related Town goals, policies, and principles.
 Thorough knowledge of the principles of management, business, their organizational procedures, and
financing.
 Considerable knowledge of tourism development concepts, strategies and approaches.
 Considerable knowledge of economic, social, historical, and technological resources available in the
downtown commercial/industrial development field.
 Considerable knowledge of the assets of the community and federal, state, and local laws pertaining to
economic development and planning.
 Considerable knowledge of the Main Street program, historic properties preservation strategies and
related regulations and grants.
 Considerable knowledge of the application of information technology to data research and office
technology.
 Considerable knowledge and past experience in event planning and organizing, aiding downtown event
venues.
Skill in coordinating large events and programs with multiple agencies and groups.
 Skills in data collection and analysis, and establishment of databases about pertinent Town statistics and
demographics.
 Skill in marketing and event coordination.
 Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
 Ability to plan, organize, and effectively develop commercial leads for the Town including building
consensus among diverse groups.
 Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms.
 Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with business executives and owners or
representatives, public officials at the local and state levels, contractors, community leaders and
organizations, other department heads, and other employees.
 Ability to analyze situations accurately and make correct recommendations for each business contact.
Physical Requirements
Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of stooping, kneeling, crouching,
reaching, standing, walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, and hearing.
Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force frequently or constantly to
move objects.
Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, examine and work with maps, charts, and
detailed materials, operate a computer, inspect sites, use measuring devices, to figure computations, and to
read extensively.
Desired Education and Experience
Graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in business, planning, economics, public
administration, or related field supplemented by training in economic or downtown development and
considerable professional experience in industrial or economic development or related field; or an equivalent
combination of education and experience.
Two to three years of progressively responsible experience in economic development, redevelopment,
business or industrial/commercial development.
Special Requirement
Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.