Macon County will be hiring an economic development director. Macon had fared better than surrounding counties, though most had employed economic development directors. Two reasons cited for the hiring were the recession and the advice of a consultant hired to revamp the county’s approach to economic development. Another part of the strategy consisted in expanding membership of the economic development board and creating four board committees.
The following is taken from the Smoky Mountain News, and pertains to a conversation about the consultant James McCoy’s vision:
“Could we expect some concrete suggestions as to what specifically we can do to further the process?” [Commissioner Brian] McClellan asked. “I would be more than willing to listen if you had some concrete ideas of A, B, C for ways we can help move everything forward.”
McCoy said those suggestions would be coming down the pipe in the next few months.
The new director is Trevor Dalton:
Dalton, 24, has no economic development experience or training — but the county’s economic development board says that’s just what they were looking for.
