Community Business Revitalization Coordinator

One Full time Two Year Contract Position

On behalf of the Town of Goderich and the Goderich BIA, the Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central & North Huron is looking to hire a full time Community Revitalization Coordinator.

Following the devastating effects of the Tornado in August 2011 there is a great deal of work to be done.

The Community Revitalization Coordinator will be responsible for developing and delivering programs to assist the business community to renew, rebuild and revitalize the whole community of Goderich - Canada’s Prettiest Town.

This position will work closely with The Town of Goderich local businesses and the existing business organizations – Goderich BIA and Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron and will be responsible for economic development projects and initiatives to help rebuild Goderich. Priorities will be in marketing, business retention and expansion and promote strategies for STRONG – Strategy to Revitalize Our New Goderich and coordination/cooperation with the various business groups/organizations in the community. The successful candidate will report directly to the Management Team Chairperson. The Management Team will be made up of business members from the community.     

 Position Responsibilities:

·   To implement a downtown revitalization process aimed at strengthening the commercial sector, improving the physical environment and promoting activities that will add to the community’s enjoyment of their downtown and local quality of life.

• To develop and implement a community-based revitalization strategy, using local input and findings identified in the successful STRONG – Strategy to Revitalize Our New Goderich of  the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food’s flagship Business Retention and Expansion (BR+E) Program community branding;  

·   Assist in the rebuild of our employment sector;

·   Work with businesses that have decided to not re-open with succession planning

·   Establish and manage volunteer local revitalization committees;

·   Identify opportunities by organizing and facilitating meetings and community practice forums to find solutions;

·    Foster programs and projects with community and business organizations and monitor,

analyze and report on community economic development indicators and initiatives;

·   Concentrated focus on the downtown core in relation to the rest of the community;

·   Build and foster relationships with County business organizations to strengthen business

·   development and marketing efforts and develop and promote strategies for greater coordination and

·   alignment of Goderich and County initiatives;

·    Work closely with the Huron Economic Development Partnership (a partnership between the County

of Huron and the Huron Business Development Corporation)   

·    Develop and maintain positive networks with local stakeholders, government agencies, media, other

professionals, and the public;

• Work closely with the Huron Chamber of Commerce, Goderich Business Improvement Area and the Town of Goderich’s Partner’s in Economic Action Committee to revitalize the community through marketing, initiatives, and programs;

·   Identify gaps in the business mix and proactively work to fill the gaps

·   Work directly with displaced businesses to assist with needs and eventual return to original location

 • Other related responsibilities as assigned.

 Qualifications:

• A university degree or college diploma in economic development, business, marketing, community

development, or related discipline; or equivalent experience;

·   Knowledge and awareness of community and economic development principles and strategies to help identify and assess the area’s priority needs and develop potential strategies;

·   Consensus-building skills and the ability to build agreement on shared objectives and interests among various stakeholders;

·   Outgoing and energetic with the ability to engage and motivate others;

·   Excellent analytical skills toreview and summarize technical information and prepare documents and reports for a broad audience;

·   Organizational skills to guide the process of developing the Strategic Plan and implement the Action Plans for the revitalization of the downtown;

·   Strong communication skills to keep the partners and community informed of the progress being made in the projects;

·   Familiarity with municipal affairs and planning, building permits and heritage planning;

·   Strong computer skills – e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel, Social media, website editing.

·   Experience in community economic development, including experience in rural areas, or ideally within Huron County;

• Demonstrated leadership and project management experience and ability;

• Proven ability to contribute effectively in a dynamic team environment;

• Strong skills in verbal and written communication, time management, organization, computer literacy,

and problem solving;

• Valid Ontario driver’s licence and reliable vehicle;

 Please forward letter of application and resume by 4:30pm Friday September 30, 2011 to:

Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron

56 East St.

Goderich, ON N7A 1N3

Email: info@goderichchamber.ca or Fax: 519-440-0305

Contract will commence October 17, 2011

Only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted. Information is collected solely for the

purpose of job selection under the provisions of the Municipal Freedom and Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

This position is funded by: OMAFRA through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program; the

County of Huron; and the Huron Business Development Corporation; Town of Goderich; Tourism Goderich; Goderich Improvement Area; Huron Chamber of Commerce – Goderich, Central and North Huron; Regional Tourism Organization 4.