The city is willing to wait for the right candidate to become its new economic development coordinator but not for too long.
“We want someone with some experience because of the growth Lockport’s been experiencing,” said City Administrator Larry McCasland.
The city has had economic development officials for more than a decade, but a new director will take over just as the pace of growth is picking up.
A recent survey predicted a short-term growth rate of as much as 10 percent over the next few years in the Lockport area.
And more is expected. A recently released Northeastern Illinois Planning Commission study predicts that Lockport’s population will double in the next quarter century to more than 36,000 people.
“I think we’re right on the borderline of more commercial and industrial coming into the city,” McCasland said. “And once it comes in–a Target, Kohls, Home Depot–it opens the eyes of others.”
The economic development job was posted late last month and McCasland has already received several resumes.
The coordinator reports directly to McCasland and the City Council and is principally responsible for helping the city attract and retain businesses.
