Economic Development Manager

Position Overview

The Economic Development Manager supports the health and growth of Downtown Ithaca's business community while fostering diverse, long-term economic growth. This role combines business retention and support, business recruitment, economic development project coordination, and related data and reporting work. The Manager serves as a trusted point of contact for existing businesses, helps attract and welcome new businesses, represents the DIA on committees and in the community, and implements pivotal projects. The Manager maintains a firm understanding of economic development and urban planning principles to ensure implementation of existing plans is ongoing

Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness Relationship Management

Foster ongoing relationships in order to retain and support existing businesses.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for existing Downtown businesses, building strong working relationships with owners, managers, and employees.
• Coordinate the Welcome to Downtown onboarding process and data collection for new businesses, in partnership with other DIA staff.
• Help businesses navigate municipal processes such as signage or building permits, liquor licensing, and other organizations' grant or financial programs.
• Provide informational and educational workshops on relevant topics for business management and improvement.
• Support the DIA with initiatives that increase foot traffic, encouraging business participation in programs such as Shop Small Weekend, the Summer Sidewalk Sale and Sustainable Saturday, the Holiday Window Competition, the Apple Harvest Festival scavenger hunt, and the Spring Egg Hunt.
• Coordinate economic development projects that advance downtown revitalization, business growth, or strategic investment, such as applications to the Downtown Revitalization Initiative or support for property owners renovating buildings for micro entrepreneurs.
• Connect existing and prospective businesses with relevant external resources, including organizations such as the Small Business Development Center, NYS Business Express, and grants, incentives, and financing programs.
• Identify businesses at risk of closure or relocation and work with community partners, landlords, government agencies, and DIA staff on possible solutions.

Recruitment and Vacancy Marketing

Actively manage business recruitment into Downtown properties.

• Develop and maintain relationships with commercial property owners, brokers, and property managers to support business attraction and building improvement.
• Identify and recruit prospective businesses based on documents such as the Citywide Retail Study and Strategy, the Downtown Plan, and economic development strategies from the DIA, City of Ithaca, and Ithaca Area Economic Development.
• Connect interested tenants with property owners, managers, or brokers of available spaces.
• Attend business recruitment opportunities to promote Downtown Ithaca as a place for business investment and tenancy.
• Support the growth of vendors, farmers market businesses, start ups, and other business ideas toward future brick and mortar opportunities.

Economic Development Oversight & Projects

Oversee a robust economic development strategy for Downtown.

• Utilize existing plans (Downtown Plan, Retail Study & Strategy, DRI Strategic Investment Plan) to implement a robust economic development strategy for Downtown.
• Research economic development trends and best practices to determine necessary programs, address infrastructure needs, and generally improve Downtown Ithaca’s economic base.
• Provide statistical analysis to DIA leadership, collaborative organizations, and businesses as needed to support programs, write funding requests, and create new initiatives.
• Research and maintain DIA’s demographic data, infrastructure reports, and other industry standard data.
• Collect and analyze business feedback, including results from foot traffic initiatives, to identify trends and inform business support priorities.
• Work closely with the City of Ithaca’s Economic Development staff on collaborative efforts.
• Coordinate planning efforts for placemaking projects, engage outside consultants, government and non-profit partners, and DIA staff (particularly the Public Space Operations Director to identify specific needs, opportunities, funding sources, storytelling, and implementation.

Committee and Community Representation

• Co-chair and attend DIA committees relevant to this position, most likely the Business Retention and Recruitment Committee, Retail Committee, and Transportation Committee, including preparing agendas, taking minutes, and maintaining shared committee folders.
• Represent the DIA at community meetings, networking events, and partner initiatives, including those led by the City of Ithaca, Tompkins County, and Ithaca Area Economic Development.
• Closely monitor City and County legislative action and staff programs to assist in DIA’s response, advocacy, and incorporation into work plans.

Data, Records, and Reporting

• Regularly walk Downtown Ithaca and connect with business owners, property owners, and community partners to keep current inventory and relevant data.
• Maintain databases of Downtown businesses, properties, vacancies, contacts, and building details.
• Maintain an up to date inventory of commercial and office vacancies, including online listings such as the DIA webpage and other listings.
• Ensure accuracy of the DIA website business directory; including current information and specific contact and/or representative of each business.
• Support and review reporting from other DIA staff, including foot traffic, event, and grant reporting, and contribute to the CEO annual report, and other reporting documents.

Grant Program Administration

• Coordinate DIA led grant programs that support existing and new businesses, including the Ithaca Retail Mini Grant Program and the Retail Incentive Grant Program.
• Collaborate with DIA’s lead grant staff, including providing grant sources, project ideas, data, and more.
• Explore the potential funding opportunities for a small business.

Qualifications

• Experience in economic development, urban planning, commercial real estate, or a closely related field
• Demonstrated project management experience, including the ability to plan, coordinate, and execute multiple concurrent initiatives, budgets, and timelines
• Working knowledge of economic development and urban planning principles, including the ability to apply existing planning documents, such as the Downtown Plan, Retail Study and Strategy, and DRI Strategic Investment Plan, to ongoing strategy
• Experience researching and analyzing demographic, market, or economic data, and translating findings into reports, funding requests, or strategic recommendations
• Strong relationship building, communication, and facilitation skills across a wide range of stakeholders, including business owners, property owners, and government partners
• Familiarity with municipal processes such as permitting and licensing, or the ability to learn them quickly
• Comfort working with databases, spreadsheets, and website content management tools
• Ability to walk Downtown regularly and attend some evening or weekend events and meetings
• A degree in economic development, urban planning, business, public administration, or a related field is preferred, but not required. Significant equivalent work experience and demonstrated project management ability will be given equal weight

Pay: $68,000.00 - $74,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person