About the Position:

The Economic Development Director manages all economic development and

industrial development-related activities for Forrest City and St. Francis County,

focusing on new industry recruitment, existing industry retention and expansion, and

workforce development. The Director is the point of contact for those looking to open

or relocate a business.

About the Organization:

Forrest City Industrial Development Commission

The FCIDC is a non-profit organization and owns/manages the fully developed Forrest

City Industrial Park. Forrest City is experiencing a period of growth following several

years of planning, building, and refocusing our industrial recruitment efforts. A team

of public and private partners worked for years to create the right environment for

companies seeking competitive workforce training, prime logistical real estate, and low

utility rates. Forrest City is poised for fast success.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage all day-to-day economic development activities of the FCIDC.
• Lead local direction, including priorities and programs, related to economic development.
• Serve as the community’s single point of contact for economic development activity.
• Provide quarterly reporting and statistics to the FCIDC.
• Respond to site selection-related requests for information (RFIs) as well as general economic development-related inquiries, requests for proposals (RFPs), and other requests on behalf of St. Francis County, Forrest City, and the FCIDC.
• Promote Forrest City and St. Francis County as a great place to do business to job creation prospects.
• Maintain the FCIDC’s inventory of available sites and buildings on a variety of online databases, including the Arkansas Site Selection website.
• Operate and manage social media content and content development.
• Develop, operate, and manage an economic development-centric and FCIDC branded website for St. Francis County and Forrest City.
• Keep business and local community informed and updated regarding economic development activity.
• Market to Target Sectors at industry specific trade shows and conferences.
• Collect and develop local business data that includes information such as: employee headcounts, business retention rates, new business locations, and job creation statistics.
• Coordinate economic development-related seminars and training opportunities for Forrest City and St. Francis County.
• Develop a business retention and expansion program that provides support and technical assistance to existing business and industry.
• Develop a program that supports and assists new business and industry locating in Forrest City and St. Francis County.
• Develop relationship with AEDC through regular communications and interactions with a goal to partner on economic development projects.
• Prepare sites and buildings for marketing to prospects and develop appropriate marketing materials for each.
• Ensure FCIDC is competitive in developing, attracting, and retaining businesses by monitoring development trends, both locally and in competitor markets.
• Work with existing employers, workforce development organizations, and postsecondary partners to up-skill existing workforce to meet employer demands.
• Work with local officials and community organizations to develop quality-of-life programs geared toward attracting quality employees.
• Develop an entrepreneurial program that provides technical assistance and resources to entrepreneurs; supports home-grown businesses; and attracts startup businesses that pay living wages.
• The above duties and responsibilities describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to the job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be expected or asked to perform.

Our ideal candidate will have experience in the following areas/skills:

• Must demonstrate excellent communication skills, including written, verbal, and public speaking skills.
• Must have strong time management skills with the ability to multi-task and coordinate multiple projects with tight deadlines.
• Must be detail oriented and able to deliver error-free material.
• Must be self-motivated and driven to exceed expectations.
• Must possess excellent computer skills, including experience utilizing Microsoft Office’s suite of products.
• Have previous experience with creating both digital and print marketing collateral and have experience with social media marketing and website management.
• Must be able to demonstrate effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.