Brewer begins search for economic specialist

BREWER – With a burst of growth within the city and the tremendous amount of work ahead of them in the next few years, city leaders are looking specifically for an economic development specialist.

“We’re looking for an individual with some experience in the field, as well as a high degree of knowledge in the technical background of economic development,” City Manager Steve Bost said Tuesday.

When D’arcy Main-Boyington was hired as the director of economic development last week, her former post as deputy director became vacant. The city created the economic development specialist position to replace that deputy post because the job description changed somewhat, Bost said.

“This individual will work closely with the development director in implementing the numerous projects that are under way within the city,” he said. “This position remains a support role to the development director.”

Interested applicants have until 5 p.m. Feb. 14 to submit resumes.

Main-Boyington, who has been doing the job of two people since September when the former development director left to assist with hurricane disaster relief, said hiring an economic specialist will give her time to work on the city’s larger projects.

“With only one person in the office, it’s been hard to focus on the big things that really need attention,” she said Friday. “Certainly, the [defunct Eastern Fine Paper Co.] mill is a big one. I certainly have enough to do with just that, but I’d also like to dedicate more time to the development of Wilson Street and Dirigo Drive and the human genetics lab and cancer care center.”

The Maine Institute for Human Genetics and Health is a partnership between the city, Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor and the University of Maine in Orono to create a research facility at the end of Dirigo Drive. The Cancer Care Center is a proposed new outpatient center to be located in the same area.

The new hire will be a crucial part of the city’s economic development team and will have to work closely with the city manager, City Planner Linda Johns and David Russell, the code enforcement officer, according to Main-Boyington.

“Linda and Dave are really pro-development, but at the same time, they want smart growth and are very creative and work to find solutions,” she said.

The city hopes to have a new economic development specialist as soon as possible, Bost said.

“We hope to begin interviewing right away,” he said. “We would hope to have someone on board as soon as possible.”