Jerome, Idaho’s new economic development director, Marlin Eldred believes in ‘smart growth’

Traditionally, economic development involves bringing in new businesses and industry. But Marlin Eldred, Jerome’s newly hired economic development director, says economic development is much more than that.

By Megan Hinds
Times-News writer

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/business/index.asp?StoryID=5371

The first step is improving a town’s existing businesses and taking pride in the community, Eldred said Tuesday.

"It’s good to bring in new businesses, but you need to pay attention to your local businesses to see growth," he said.

After two days on the job, Eldred said he’s got big plans for Jerome — starting with downtown.

"Obviously, when you bring in businesses, they look at the downtown area," Eldred said. "I want my downtown to look inviting."

Revitalizing downtown Jerome starts with taking pride in the area, Eldred said. That can range from simply pulling weeds from outside businesses to remodeling storefronts, he said.

"When I take (business representatives) down Main Street, I want them to be impressed," he said. "That sets the tone for me to market Jerome to them."

Eldred said he believes in "smart growth" — bringing in good-paying, stable manufacturing jobs, not retail and service jobs that often provide few benefits and low wages.

"I’m not interested in bringing in Old Navy — I’m interested in companies like Pfizer and Micron," he said. "I want to focus on industry and manufacturing — retail comes later."

Eldred holds a master’s degree in business administration and said he has a background in marketing. He was previously economic development director for Emery County, Utah.

The city of Jerome made a substantial investment in hiring Eldred, said Jerome City Administrator Travis Rothweiler. Before Eldred, the city spent $5,000 per year to take advantage of the services of part-time economic development specialist Bob Richards, a Jerome Chamber of Commerce employee.

When Richards retired, he recommended the city hire a full-time economic development director, Rothweiler said.

"Jerome is growing at a much faster rate than ever before," Rothweiler said. "In order for (Jerome) to capitalize on our tremendous possibilities, we need someone like (Eldred) to come in and take us to the next level."

But creating a full-time city position takes money. The city took a page from the Mini-Cassia area’s economic development officials, creating a private-public partnership to fund the position, Rothweiler said.

Eldred’s salary will be $55,000 per year. The city will contribute $40,000 plus benefits and office space toward the position for the next three years, Rothweiler said.

A number of public entities as well as several private-sector businesses will contribute a total of $105,200 annually for the next three years to retain Eldred, Rothweiler said. Rothweiler did not say how much money each business contributed.

"Everyone in Jerome is on board," he said. "The support from the community has been overwhelming."

D.L. Evans Bank is one of the financial contributors to the position, said Jennifer Traughber, vice president and manager of the bank’s Jerome branch. Eldred’s hiring will help Jerome’s economy become more progressive, she said.

"By hiring an economic development director, it’s a way to be a proactive community and not a reactive community," Traughber said.

Eldred will speak at the Jerome Chamber of Commerce luncheon at noon today.

Times-News business writer Megan Hinds can be reached at 735-3238 or [email protected].

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Jerome’s new economic development director, Marlin Eldred, will be the guest speaker at the Jerome Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

* When: noon today(Wed.)

* Where: Wonderful House Restaurant on West Main Street in Jerome

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A number of public entities and private businesses have pledged money for the next three years to help fund the city of Jerome’s new full-time economic development director position.

* City of Jerome: $40,000

* Jerome Development Corp.: $10,000

* Jerome County: $15,000

* Jerome Urban Renewal Agency: $10,000

* Jerome Chamber of Commerce: $10,000

* St. Benedicts Family Medical Center, Idaho Power, Land Title and Escrow Inc. of Jerome, First Federal Savings Bank, Wal-Mart, D.L. Evans Bank, WOW Logistics: a combined $20,200