Econ. Development Mgr., Bronzeville Alliance

JOB NOTICE




Economic Development Manager



Starting Date: Immediately

Posted: July 2, 2012



The Opportunity

Since 2008, the Bronzeville Alliance has brought together a variety of stakeholders to develop coordinated strategies addressing key issue areas. As a group of Bronzeville residents and organizations committed to the economic, social and cultural redevelopment of this historic community, the Alliance recognized the need for targeted, strategic retail recruitment and retention through the creation of the Bronzeville Retail Initiative (BRI) in 2009. BRI’s vision is to “facilitate development of vibrant, walkable, retail corridors that builds on Bronzeville’s rich retail and entertainment history, while serving the needs of modern-day residents and destination shoppers, and providing local employment and ownership opportunities.”



BRI’s focus is on the retail redevelopment of 47th Street, with nodes of development on 43rd and 51st Streets that build off the presence of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Green Line as a tool to increase density, focus retail, and improve the pedestrian experience. Core members of BRI include The Renaissance Collaborative, Centers for New Horizons, Quad Communities Development Corporation, 51st Street Business Association, , Concerned Citizens of Bronzeville, and Urban Juncture, Inc.





The Position

BRI is hiring a part-time Economic Development Manager (EDM) to act as a central hub of economic development information and retail business recruitment and retention for the community. The EDM will report directly to The Renaissance Collaborative executive director, with guidance from the Bronzeville Retail Initiative Executive Committee. This position is funded through a grant from the Chicago Community Trust.



The EDM will strengthen local retail capacity and partnerships and build from existing organizations, such as Quad Communities Development Corporation (QCDC), the 51st Street Business Association, and The Renaissance Collaborative, and work to bring together and assist retailers and property owners. In addition, the EDM will work with a website consultant to coordinate the creation of a dynamic website that catalogues vacant land and retail space, ownership, financial incentives, and TA resources, as well as with the Metropolitan Planning Council, the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, and a team of real estate and financial advisors to explore an expanded retail development role for The Renaissance Collaborative during the first year.



BRI is seeking a highly motivated individual with a background in urban planning, business development, community development, and/or economic development tools such as SSAs, SBIF, TIF, etc. Strong relationship and project management skills are absolute essentials to success. The EDM should expect to be on the move, meeting with current and potential business owners on site. Ideal candidates will reside in or near Bronzeville. Experience with neighborhoods like Bronzeville is a must.





Duties will include:



Developing annual work plan



Establishing strong and productive relationships with business owners in the areas of focus, particularly those not served by existing organizations



Providing Technical Assistance (Chief partners: QCDC/51st Street Business Association)

• Coordinating information sessions with chief partners and recruiting business owners

• Providing technical advisory services to businesses

• Creating and disseminating a business resource inventory

• Expediting permitting, zoning and business services



Working with a consultant to create a one-stop retail development website for prospective developers, retailers, and entrepreneurs with inventory of:

• Available land and retail space

• Financial incentives

• Technical assistance resources



Launching website and developing/updating web content on an ongoing basis



Creating a cross-ward inventory of vacant land across all three corridors and State Street, allowing the EDM to work effectively with any prospective business owner, local organization and the applicable Alderman to identify the most appropriate location according to the owner’s needs and the goals and themes identified by the Alliance.



Working with both 3rd and 4th Ward Aldermen to add Small Business Improvement Funds (SBIFs) to more Bronzeville-area TIFs; work closely with local businesses (particularly in those areas not covered by QCDC and 51st Street Business Association) to explain the process, connecting them to additional resources from SSAs when possible; facilitate a bank loan for front-funding the costs and, if needed, a loan for the owner’s portion of the rehab.



Staffing the BRI, including organizing regular meetings, reporting on progress, supporting local coordination of CMAP planning process.



Fundraising for continued BRI priorities and additional website development costs



Working with a finance advisory board and BRI to begin the process of analyzing available land for future development



Other duties as assigned.



BRI seeks an organized, high-energy individual who thrives at building relationships and can juggle multiple deadlines at once. The ideal candidate has at least three years experience and:



 is a self-starter, able to prioritize, handle multiple tasks and projects, and work in a fluid environment;

 is a creative thinker able to help build BRI’s impact over time;

 is passionate about the body of issues that BRI addresses and committed to supporting its mission;

 is familiar with and versed in real estate and small business finance concepts and tools;

 has demonstrated the ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies, including business owners, financiers, government officials, developers and community-based organizations;

 has proven skills in grant writing and resource development;

 Is proficient in Microsoft Office; and

 Is proficient in Geographic Information Systems (ideal but not required).

Please send your resume and cover letter detailing how your experience relates to the job being filled to:

Pat Abrams

The Renaissance Collaborative

3757 South Wabash Avenue Chicago, IL 60653

Pabrams@trcwabash.org





No phone calls please.