Harvard development agent retiring

Ralph Henning is retiring as Executive Director of the Harvard Economic Development Corporation.

Henning has been an active member of the HEDC's board of directors since its founding. He created the HEDC in 2000, while serving as Mayor of Harvard.

"It was his brainchild from the start," noted current Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan, who served as the organization's first chairman from 2000 to 2005.

Henning was named part-time Executive Director in 2005. He served as Mayor from 1996 to 2005. Before that he served as a City Alderman for eight years and as a member of the Harvard Planning Commission for two years.

"Ralph's contribution to the Harvard community has been enormous over the years," noted HEDC Chairman Roger Lehmann. "His input and leadership will be greatly missed."

The HEDC is funded through private membership funds, with an annual contribution made by the

City. Earlier this month, the organization's board of directors voted to approve the HEDC's new 2008-2011 Strategic Plan, which includes an aggressive retail attraction program.

A 150,000 square foot Wal-Mart Supercenter opened in the community in July and new retail corridors along McGuire and Airport Roads and on South Route 14 are attracting growing interest from retail developers. The City of Harvard is also putting the finishing touches on its $2.4 million streetscape project in downtown Harvard, which is expected to be completed by Nov. 1.

A search to find a new part-time Executive Director is now under way.