January saw leadership changes in a number of Ohio’s economic development organizations. Former Columbus Development Director Boyce Safford III became the executive director of the Columbus Next Generation Development Corp. where he will focus on urban neighbors’ job creation and investment, according to Columbus Business First. Additionally, Jeff Loehrke left his position as Ottawa’s community development director to become the regional manager for District 1 and District 2 of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Jobs and Commerce Division, according to The Lima News.
An economic development professional with experience on both the state and local levels, Jeff Sprague was a natural choice when it came time to select a new leader for the Allen Economic Development Group, reported The Lima News. Scioto County welcomed former state representative Todd Book as interim economic development director where he will be a part of meetings with the port authority and the commissioners on a part-time basis until a new director can be found, the Portsmouth Daily Times reported. Also, Bob Clark became the new economic development director for Fairfield County, according to Columbus Business First. Clark has some prior previous experience with economic development in his role as congressional staffer for former U.S. Rep. Steve Austria, R-Beavercreek, the article said.
