Promoting Kennebunk: Town to hire new director of economic vitality to grow business

KENNEBUNK, Maine — The town has not had a full-time economic development director in six years, but that’s about to change.

Kennebunk is looking to hire a new economic director, and in this search, the key word is “vitality.”

“I have renamed the position,” Town Manager Heather Balser said in an email earlier this week.

The new job title? Director of economic vitality.

“Economic vitality speaks more to the long-term economic sustainability of the town,” said Balser, who is new to her position at Kennebunk Town Hall, having started in early February.

The town accepted resumes and applications through last Friday, March 24, and is expected to begin interviewing candidates in April, according to Halser.

“We’d like to have someone on board by the end of spring,” she said.

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Once hired, the successful applicant will be the town’s first full-time economic director since Mathew Eddy left the position in 2017.

What is the vision for director of economic vitality's role?

According to Halser, the new director will work with the municipal leadership and staff, as well as the town’s Economic Development Committee and local stakeholders. Their shared goal will be to “develop strong community connections, retain and expand Kennebunk businesses, attract new businesses and promote Kennebunk’s value as a desirable business location,” Halser said.

The director will design and manage strategies, programs and outreach that support the town’s overall vision for sustainable economic vitality and development, Halser said. The director also will be the “initial point of contact” when it comes to economic development initiatives, she added. As well, the director will “provide consistent excellent customer service to residents, businesses and developers,” she said.

Halser said the town is looking for a candidate with knowledge of the geographic, economic and social characteristics of both Kennebunk and southern Maine. The successful candidate also should be knowledgeable about economic development principles, market research, data collection, planning, financing and management, she added.

The town also is “looking for a candidate skilled in building consensus, negotiation and compromise,” Halser said.

What are the qualifications and pay for the Kennebunk job?

According to the job posting on the town’s website, the successful candidate will need to have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, finance and marketing, or in a related field, and a master’s degree, as well, is preferred. At least five years of experience in the field of economic vitality and sustainability also will be required.

The starting annual salary range is $89,722 to $108,589, commensurate with demonstrated knowledge, skills, abilities, and work experience, according to Human Resources Director Jeri Sheldon.

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The position will have its fair share of challenges, as the director will need to have a clear understanding of the community and its priorities and listen closely to others in order to grasp and respect different perspectives, according to Halser.

But the new director also will be able to work from the town’s strengths and assets, which Balser said include a “strong sense of community, engaged citizenry, historic past and downtown, diverse land area and uses, special events, and much more.”

What kind of impact did Kennebunk's last economic leader have in town?

The York County Coast Star honored Eddy as part of its “Movers and Shakers” series during the holidays of 2014. In the article, then-Town Manager Barry Tibbetts spoke highly of Eddy and suggested the kind of impact that a director of economic development – or vitality – can have on a community.

“Mat's enthusiasm, depth of knowledge in supporting businesses, engaging new businesses and creating the Strategic Economic Development Action Plan with public input has been an invaluable resource,” Tibbetts said. “Mat brings a skill set that was needed for the community to move forward with a solid business approach.”

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Kennebunk to hire new director of economic vitality to grow business