4 April JJ Harris to Lead Clay Economic Development Effort April 4, 2018 By Laura Pavlus News economic development, executive director, Clay Florida Economic Development Corporation, Clay County Economic Development Corporation 0 Clay Today - March 29, 2018 - full article here A national talent search has ended with the Clay County Economic Development Corp. hiring a new executive director and president. The agency’s board of directors announced March 27 it has hired JJ Harris as its new president and executive director. Harris will oversee Clay County’s economic development efforts and work with local government and the business community to promote and market Clay County to companies to relocate and grow their businesses. Harris comes to Clay County after serving two years as president and chief executive officer of the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance in Laramie, Wyoming. He also served a dual role as president and chief executive officer of the Laramie Economic Development Corp. According to a report in the publication Wyoming Business Report, Harris turned in his resignation in Wyoming during the week of March 5. “We are excited to welcome JJ to our economic development team. JJ brings significant transaction experience in both recruiting new businesses and working with the local development community and governments to close transactions,” said George Egan, chairman of the Clay County Economic Development Corp. “The commitment of the Board of County Commissioners and Clay EDC Board of Directors, demonstrates the importance of economic development in Clay County.” From 1995 to 2008, Harris was the executive director for the Bedford Urban Enterprise Association Inc. in Bedford, Indiana. From 2008 to 2016, Harris served on active duty service in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard and Reserve where he achieved the rank of major before his retirement. His years of service will be a great asset to the role with the strong regional military presence of the Jacksonville metro area, stated a press release. “It is an honor, and a welcomed challenge, for me to have this opportunity,” Harris said. “I look forward to serving the Clay County community.” Harris will begin his new role on April 2. While the Clay County Economic Development Corp. did not disclose Harris’ salary. The Corporation had been trying the past year to obtain more county funding to allow hiring an executive director with more experience in the economic development arena. Related Leaders Welcome State's Economic Development Chief GREEN COVE SPRINGS – With a focus on bringing more high-paying jobs to Clay County, economic development leaders, business leaders, elected officials and others recently hosted a county tour for the head of Enterprise Florida Inc. Clay County Economic Development Workshop Cathy Chambers, left, and Jerry Mallot from JAXUSA Partnership and Bill Garrison, far right, from Clay County Economic Development Corporation presented information to the Clay County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday during an economic development workshop in the BCC chambers. Harris excited to be in Clay In March 2018, the Clay County Economic Development Corporation and its board of directors announced Harris had accepted the offer to become the organization’s new president and executive director after a nationwide search. Clay EDC Seeks to Strengthen the Strong Commercial Broker Relationships Criticial to Economic Development "Location, location, location" - This is perhaps the most critical first step in business relocation or expansion and at the heart of this is the commercial brokers who represent these sought after locations. Clay has stake in region’s new economic plan Officials at the JAXUSA Partnership Regional Economic Development Forum brought the public and private sector together to discuss how Duval County and its six surrounding counties can handle an incoming burst of economic growth. Clay County is a member of JAXUSA Partnership, the economic development arm of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Avalanche Consulting, an Austin, Texas-based economic growth consulting firm, prepared the report outlining a five-year plan on how to handle the growth. Economic Development Plan Gets More Ironing Out Armed with a new strategic plan for economic development completed, Bill Garrison, president of the Clay County Economic Development Corp., recently met with county official to divvy up tasks involved with bringing the plan to fruition. Showing 0 Comment Comments are closed.