Carpentersville seeking full-time economic development director

Carpentersville is seeking a full-time economic development director to build upon economic strengths and growth opportunities within the village, officials said.

But Village President Ed Ritter hopes that whoever holds the new position will also revitalize Carpentersville's image.

"(The director) will be rebranding or marketing the village by coming up with a new way to present Carpentersville to the world, so to speak," Ritter said.

Hiring a full-time staff member to focus on economic development was among several goals approved by the village board earlier this month.

Acting on another village goal, the director's responsibilities will include developing and implementing a marketing plan to attract and retain businesses in the area, Ritter said.

In recent years, officials have been in talks about redeveloping various parts of the village, such as the Old Town riverfront area, where a tax increment financing district may soon be proposed. Special taxing districts and redevelopment efforts would also fall under the director's jurisdiction, Ritter said.

Additionally, he added, the director will have a key role matching developers or existing businesses with available sites within Carpentersville.

Other duties include assisting with financial negotiations, as well as monitoring and developing the economic development budget, according to a job posting on Carpentersville's website.

Former Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade, who also served as economic development director, stepped down from his position in June. Before and after Wade's tenure in Carpentersville, the economic development responsibilities have been handled by part-time employees, Ritter said.

"Now we feel like we have the resources to go back and have an economic development person full time," he said. "We're putting more time into the position."

Ritter said he hopes the position will be filled by Jan. 1, though it could be sooner.

Applications are available on the village website and will be accepted on a rolling basis. The starting salary may vary based on the applicant's experience.

"I'm hoping for someone who's very personable and can make contacts that are meaningful," Ritter said. "You have to have a good communicator who will make a good impression when people ask what Carpentersville has to offer."