Economic developer search getting help from Florida firm
Committee votes to hire company after only one applies for position
The Economic Development Advisory Committee agreed Thursday afternoon to hire a search firm to help with the hiring of an economic developer for Forrest City and St. Francis County.
Committee members met briefly at city hall to approve a contract to hire the Next Move Group of Pensacola, Fla., at a cost of $22,971. In addition, the committee will be responsible for reimbursing travel costs incurred by potential candidates visiting the community for interviews.
Committee members include Forrest City Mayor Cedric Williams, St. Francis County Judge Gary Hughes, Forrest City Area Chamber of Commerce President Kirk Billingsley, Forrest City Advertising and Promotion Commission Chairman Justin Reeves and Forrest City Industrial Development Corporation Chairman Brad Devazier.
The group began searching for an economic development director a couple of months ago after securing the necessary funding to pay a salary for the position. Devazier said the search, so far, has not resulted in any qualified applicants, with the group receiving only one application for the position to date.
Forrest City and St. Francis County are contributing up to $50,000 per year for the next three years, with the FCIDC contributing $24,000 and the A&P contributing $30,000 over that timeframe. The Chamber will provide office space and staff for the director.
Earlier this week, committee members participated in a Zoom meeting with the Next Move Group, outlining their services.
According to the contract with the Next Move Group, the company has a database of 10,000-plus economic development professionals from which it recruits potential candidates. It also will contact a minimum of 200 people currently employed and well known in the economic development industry to seek names of potential candidates.
The contract shows the company would conduct all aspects of the interviewing process, with the committee making the final hiring decision.
The search firm also offers guarantees in the contract, showing that if the person hired leaves within the first 12 months, a search will be conducted free of charge. The contract also shows the company will discount searches, should it become necessary, after the first year, for up to six years total.
“That guarantee is huge,” said Williams, adding that in addition to recruitment, the company also helps with site selections.
The salary for the position has not been determined, but would be commensurate with the individual’s experience in economic development, according to committee members who added they would like to have someone hired to fill the position within at least the next couple of months, if not sooner.