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Casey hires economic development director  Share
Nicole M. Weigand of Millersburg, Ohio got the nod to fill the position of economic development director. Casey City Council unanimously approved the hire at the Oct. 19 meeting. Alderman Tom Monken, who served on the Casey Liaison Steering Committee, said although the search involved a long process, the group was pleased with their selection, a ''very sharp and impressive candidate.'' CLS is composed of representatives of the council, Casey Industries and Casey Chamber of Commerce. Funding of the position comes from CI's five-year commitment to provide half of the $38,000 annual salary. The city will pay the other half, plus benefits. Weigand recently completed her Professional Community and Economic Developer Certification, as had Casey's former community planning coordinator, Traci Heffelbower. In fact, Weigand has visited Heffelbower in Casey and is familiar with the community through their friendship. Heffelbower, who this summer completed her Peace Corps Fellow internship with the city, relocated to New Mexico. It was, in part, her work the past year that convinced city leaders of the importance of this economic development position.
Weigand holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Ohio University, a master's in geography with a community development certificate from Western Illinois University, and served two years as a university English teacher for the Peace Corps in Fuling, China. She has five years experience teaching, training, and planning community development projects. Most recently, Weigand completed an internship as research and outreach coordinator with Carbondale Community Arts in Carbondale, Ill. Monken added that Weigand's background in the arts, which includes being an exhibiting artist, would bring the creative areas to the table, with regard to community development. Mayor Scott Elkins echoed Monken's remarks. ''We're very excited about her (Weigand) coming into the community and she's excited to come here and help us move forward,'' he said. Weigand will start her new position on November 9. More information from the council's meeting will be published in the Oct. 29 edition of The Reporter. Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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