COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
ABOUTCarol became Willard’s first Community Development Director on March 1, 2022. She started her career in the economic development profession in 2001, earning her Economic Development Finance Professional certification in 2002. Her expertise and prior experience in the field of economic development will be very beneficial to the Willard community.
The Willard Community Development Department is a public-private partnership between the City of Willard, the Willard Area Economic Development Corporation (WAEDC), the Willard Area Chamber of Commerce, and the United Fund of Willard, Inc. These stakeholder organizations recognized the benefit of having an individual (or department) dedicating efforts entirely to the economic growth and betterment of the City of Willard and coordinating and assisting the existing committees and organizations that work so hard to improve and enhance the community. Community Development projects and activities will be determined and prioritized by the stakeholder organizations. The Director reports to City Manager Bryson Hamons. Willard Community Improvement Corporation Creation of the Willard Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) was identified as the top priority for this department and is well underway. CICs are non-profit corporations organized for the purposes of “advancing, encouraging, and promoting the industrial, economic, commercial, and civic development of a community or area. The Willard Community Improvement Corporation is filing for 501-c-3 federal tax exemption. Many grant opportunities require 501-c-3 status. Available Buildings & Sites Identifying all available buildings and sites for economic development opportunities is taking place and will be an ongoing process. Information has been verified on all known available properties. Those properties have been added to the State database of available buildings and sites and are now included on the City of Willard’s website. Business Startup Assistance The Community Development Director has considerable experience in assisting new business startups. Business plan development, business application filing assistance, business location assistance, and connections to financial institutions for potential funding assistance are all offered to Willard citizens or individuals wanting to start a new business in Willard by the Willard Community Development Department. MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTORWillard has so many assets and so many hidden gems.
The time is now to truly identify those assets that make Willard such a great community and take those gems out of hiding and tell the world about all. The time is now to build upon those assets and start the journey to the future. The time is now to build on Willard’s history, what it is now, and what it can be! The time is now to share all the good things that are happening and on the horizon. The time is now to join together, to coordinate our efforts to assure the greatest impact for our community! The time is now to tell everyone about the Wonderful World of Willard! Carol |
