EDA Board continues search for new executive director
After almost a month without a permanent executive director, the Grand Marais/Cook County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Board continues actively searching for a replacement.
The former director, Theresa Bajda, left the position on Aug. 30 after accepting a local government job in the Twin Cities. To keep EDA operations moving forward in the transition period, Jason Hale, the executive director of the Housing Redevelopment Authority (HRA), stepped in to serve as interim director following board approval from the EDA and HRA. Hale agreed to serve as interim director for 30 days, which is nearing.
On Sept. 17, the EDA Board met to discuss numerous agenda items, including a director hiring update.
The EDA personnel committee shared that interest in the EDA executive director position has been relatively slow, and only one applicant has applied. The board discussed reposting the job listing with an updated job description and increased salary range to better align with a competitive market.
“We are in a competitive market right now,” Hale said. In addition, the cost of living is higher than in other regional towns, and securing housing remains a significant challenge. “It’s not an issue of ability. It’s an issue of practicality,” said Hale.
After comparing northern Minnesota and regional EDA Director salaries, the EDA Board agreed upon an updated salary range of $85,000 to $100,000, plus benefits, dependent upon experience. The previous range was $75,000 to $83,000 plus benefits.
“If we’re not in the market, and it sounds like we’re not currently in the market, then that’s job number one,” said EDA Commissioner Peter Clissold.
According to ZipRecruiter and other job posting platforms, the average annual salary for an EDA Director in Minnesota is $111,653. The Director of Planning and Economic Development for the city of Duluth is currently listed with a salary range of $99,310 to $150,420.
Hale then asked the board whether the duties and responsibilities of the Superior National Golf Course were to be included in the updated job description. In recent meetings, the EDA Board has discussed selling the golf course to the private sector. The board agreed to remove a large portion of golf course duties from the job description and delegate responsibilities to current Superior National Golf Course manager Mike Larson, Treasurer Mark Shackleton, and the Superior National Golf Course Board of Governors. The new EDA Director will still oversee and facilitate communication between the EDA and Superior National Golf Course.
Given that his 30 days as interim is nearing and there were delays in the job posting process, Hale offered to stay on as interim director for an additional two weeks, until Oct. 11, pending approval from the HRA Board. The HRA Board met the following day, on Sept. 18, and approved the request.
During the EDA Sept. 17 meeting, the EDA Board unanimously agreed to immediately repost the updated job description and hire Pat Campanaro, who served as interim director following the departure of former Director Beth Drost and is the current Cook County Small Business Development Center consultant, to oversee screening applicants and facilitate and schedule interviews. The EDA Personnel Committee, consisting of Commissioner Dave Mills, Commissioner Myron Bursheim, and Commissioner Peter Clissold, will conduct the interviews. Hale will also participate in the interview process.
View the EDA Executive Director application here.
Kalli Hawkins September 25, 2024
