Kent to Create Part-Time Economic Development Position

Kent will add an economic development employee to the city staff this year to supplement the office as the director scales back his duties while battling illness.

Kent City Council voted at the recommendation of city administrators to create a part-time economic development position to keep the office staffed as its director, Dan Smith, undergoes chemotherapy treatments for cancer.

Kent City Manager Dave Ruller said city administrators expect Smith will be working part-time as he undergoes treatment.

“He has made it fairly clear to us that he will do his best to work as much as he can,” Ruller said.

City officials want to maintain a full-time presence in the economic development office, as Kent is experiencing a boosted level of interest from developers as the city rides the wave of downtown’s redevelopment.

“We’re kind of riding high right now on a lot of economic development stuff, and there’s a lot of opportunities that are presenting themselves and we’re not sure how long that window will last,” Ruller said.

The part-time position will pay $27.50 per hour. Because it’s part-time the only benefits the city will pay are Medicare, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System benefits and sick leave.

The city will create the position for one year and review its necessity at the end of the 12-month period.

Kent Community Development Department Director Bridget Susel said the part-time position will handle labor-intensive tasks, such as updating the city’s available commercial space database and taking interested developers and business owners on tours of vacant space.

“Those are the kind of things that we really need assistance with,” she said. “They’re time intensive.”

Ruller said Smith, who is Kent’s sole economic development employee and has been instrumental in bringing partnerships to the table for Kent’s more than $100 million redevelopment, will continue to manage the large-scale projects and proposals.

“(Smith) will carry the heavy stuff, so to speak,” Ruller said.