WILMINGTON — Clinton County’s economic and business development director has resigned, effective last Friday, May 5.
Bret Dixon had been in that post for almost six years, having started in June 2011.
Dixon’s letter of resignation is dated Friday, May 5, with the effective start of the resignation stated as the end of the business day May 5. This was two days after two of the three Clinton County commissioners formally gave Dixon a memo regarding performance expectations and communication with the board.
In the letter, Dixon stated it was a great honor to be included in a vision to move the Clinton County economy “toward a diverse, business-friendly environment where reliance on one company would never again define our future,” a reference to DHL which ended its operations at the Wilmington Air Park in summer 2009.
He pointed to the contributions of others in economic development efforts that “brought together the gifts and talents of many great Clinton County people, without exception [Ohio House] Speaker Rosenberger and most recently CIC [Community Improvement Corporation of Wilmington] Director David Raizk.
“What we were able to do, in a relatively short time, is virtually unrivaled in Ohio,” added Dixon.
In the May 3 “Performance Expectations” memo, the contents of which were officially accepted by Clinton County Commissioners President Kerry R. Steed and Commissioner Brenda K. Woods, seven tasks and responsibilities for the economic development position were spelled out.
Among the added performance expectations were: No fewer than 10 in-person visits each month to companies currently in the county; two meetings per month with commissioners rather than one meeting; and providing a monthly overview of various companies’ needs as gathered from those companies “large, small, currently located in the county, those considering locating in the county or those who decided to locate elsewhere.”
Commissioner Patrick Haley voted in opposition last week to the memo.
On Monday, Haley stated, “This morning I voted with deep regret to accept Bret Dixon’s resignation from the position of Clinton County economic development director. When Bret accepted the position six years ago it was a challenging assignment. At the time, there were various agencies and officials involved in county economic development, all with different perspectives and agendas. There was little coordination, causing confusion for businesses wishing to locate here.
“The commissioners that hired Bret wanted there to be one voice speaking for the county in economic development matters,” added Haley.
According to Haley, during Dixon’s tenure the county’s unemployment rate decreased from 18 percent to 5.5 percent, and more than 1,000 jobs were added.
“He worked — full time and overtime — to help make this happen. Several CEOs desiring to locate here remarked how rare it was to work with a business person, instead of a bureaucrat or politician during the recruitment process. Economic development is an art, not a science, and Bret Dixon was excellent at it. I extend my heartfelt appreciation for all his efforts,” Haley said.
Steed said the future of the county’s economic development office will be dealt with in a process that includes: Bringing to the table community stakeholders who desire to have input, assessing the county’s current situation, considering how to move forward, and then making a decision.
There are a “multitude” of forms that economic development could take here, the commissioners president said. Those include employing an individual as the county’s development director, partnering with another county or counties, or contracting with an economic development firm, he said.
For Steed, “economic development isn’t just about landing the big fish. It has got to do with available housing, good schools and a safe community, entertainment and other amenities that people want.”
Woods said the county’s future economic direction is something she definitely views “as a group effort.”
There are many people in the community who can have a tremendous impact on the county’s future, and also in shaping a strong strategic plan based on the questions ‘where do we want to be?’ and ‘where do we want to go?,’ she said.
She agreed with Steed that the county commissioners, in deciding what to do, need input from people around the county.
Prior to Dixon becoming development director, the county commissioners then in office authorized a nationwide search, said Haley, who was a commissioner then.
Haley recollected about 18 applicants altogether, with interviews conducted of three out-of-state applicants. No one was selected from those three, and local businessman and lifelong resident Dixon was interviewed and it went well, said Haley.
Dixon’s current annual salary as development director was $68,244.
In his resignation letter, Dixon stated he had said from the beginning his employment would have an end date “because private business people are mission based.” He extended his original five-year plan into six years “to continue some important work on new development projects,” he said.
Steed said, “Our focus is still going to be on bringing jobs and families to live and work in Clinton County.”
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
