Movers
Brian Mefford takes the economic development reins in Bowling Green
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has named Brian Mefford executive vice president of economic development and innovation. He starts Oct. 19 and will lead business attraction, expansion and retention for the region.
Mefford knows the territory. He founded Connected Nation, the Bowling Green-based broadband nonprofit, and has served on the Bowling Green ITA board for 13 years. In Frankfort, he was chief of staff to the secretary of Kentucky's Economic Development Cabinet and later the cabinet's head of innovation and entrepreneurship.
He'll be the lead staffer for three development authorities: the Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority, the Bowling Green ITA and the South Central Kentucky Regional Development Authority. The Chamber also wants him building partnerships across a 10-county labor shed and tightening ties with the state cabinet, the Tennessee Valley Authority and site selection consultants.
Shakers
IEDC's award winners head to New Orleans
The International Economic Development Council will present 226 Excellence in Economic Development Awards at its annual conference in New Orleans, Oct. 25–28. This year's haul includes 73 gold, 83 silver and 70 bronze awards spread across 140 organizations.
Among the honorees:
York County Development Corporation, Nebraska: Gold in innovative financing for its workforce housing revolving fund, a tool aimed at one of the biggest barriers to recruiting employers in small markets. The group also took Silver in multimedia promotion.
Fairfax City Economic Development, Virginia: Gold in postsecondary education partnerships for its John Cabot University International Business Fellowship, which brings students from the Rome-based university into hands-on international business and economic development work. It also won Bronze for Pub Scholars, a free lecture series that puts George Mason University faculty in Fairfax City pubs.
Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, Texas: Four awards. Gold for its 2025–2029 strategic plan brochure, Silver for its quality-of-life grants and its annual report, and Bronze for "What the Permit?", a series that walks businesses through permitting.
Read down the winners list and you'll find housing finance, a pub lecture series and a class on permits sitting alongside the usual websites and annual reports.
Hot Jobs
Six searches for economic development talent this week, all paying six figures. The richest offer comes from a data center developer, which will pay up to $275,000 plus bonus for someone who knows how to win over a county commission.
$250,000–$275,000 + Bonus | VP of Economic & Community Development | Montera, Remote
Montera, a hyperscale data center developer backed by $1.5 billion from Stonepeak, wants an executive to build its government relations, economic development, community engagement and labor relations functions across its U.S. markets. The role is remote with regular travel and reports to the co-founder and COO.
$150,000–$179,079 | Economic Development Director | Wichita, Kansas
Kansas' largest city is hiring a director to steer its economic development strategy. First review of applications began Sept. 18, and the posting stays open until the job is filled.
$125,000–$175,000 + Bonus | President / Executive Director | Laredo Economic Development Corporation, Texas
The Laredo EDC is looking for its top executive, with a portfolio covering economic development and government relations for the border city. Pay includes a performance bonus.
$126,304–$157,880 | Economic Development Deputy Director | Gilbert, Arizona
The Phoenix-area town is hiring a deputy to run business attraction, retention and expansion, and marketing, and to negotiate development agreements. The job is hybrid on a four-day, 10-hour schedule. Applications close Nov. 8.
$125,000–$155,000 | Economic Development Director | Bowie, Maryland
The Prince George's County city is hiring a director to lead its economic development office. The position is open until filled.
$117,357–$143,844 | Director of Economic Development | Dutchess County, New York
The Hudson Valley county is recruiting a director to lead its economic development work. The search is open until filled.
Salaries are advertised ranges or starting pay. Check each posting for current status and terms.
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Movers, Shakers & Hot Jobs is a curated weekly roundup covering the people and organizations shaping corporate investment, site selection and economic development.