Community and Business Development Specialist – Itasca County, MN (Grand Rapids)

Cedausa; Grand Rapids (MN); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation

Health Insurance

Life Insurance

SIMPLE IRA

HSA

Long-term Disability

AD&D

Sick Leave

8 Paid Holidays

Job summary

CEDA seeks a Community and Business Development Specialist to advance community support programs in Itasca County and Northern Minnesota. The role focuses on building partnerships with local boards, nonprofits, and government entities to sustain job growth and improve housing options.

This full-time position requires strong communication, grant-writing ability, and hands-on project management. You will coordinate with the Regional Manager and leadership team, report on program outcomes, and

Qualifications

• Experience or degree in community/economic development or related field.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage diverse stakeholders.
• Driver's license and reliable transportation.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and implement a community retention and expansion program.
• Research and draft grant proposals; provide reporting for grant agencies.
• Develop relationships with regional, tribal, state and federal organizations.
• Promote economic development tools to incentivize job growth.
• Publicly present at open meetings and communicate with local press.
• Provide business development assistance for startups and expanding businesses.
• Assist housing development options and housing availability.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

Skills

Communication

Relationship building

Self-motivation

Results orientation

Education

Degree in community/economic development

Degree in public administration

Degree in business administration

Job description

CEDA is currently seeking a Community and Business Development Specialist to provide community and business development staffing capacity within the Itasca County area and Northern Minnesota.

Job Title: Community and Business Development Specialist

Number of Openings: 1

Full-Time/Part-Time: 1 Full-Time

Location: Itasca County, Minnesota (Grand Rapids, MN)

Salary Range: $50,000 – $75,000 DOQ

Hours: 40 hours per week. Occasional early morning and/or evening meetings may be required.

Benefits: Vacation, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, SIMPLE IRA, HSA, Long-term Disability, AD & D, Sick Leave, 8 Paid Holidays

Position Description: This position will be responsible for the execution of work necessary to serve CEDA’s Community Support Program contracts within Itasca County, MN and Northern Minnesota, along with other contractual duties as assigned.

Responsibilities could include (but are not limited to):

• Working with boards and community members to create and implement a quality business retention and expansion program.
• Researching, compiling and drafting information for grant proposals.
• Providing necessary reporting for various grant awarding agencies.
• Developing relationships with relevant regional, tribal, state and federal organizations.
• Promoting and utilizing economic development tools/programs to incentivize job creation and tax base growth.
• Carrying out and ensuring the quality of community marketing efforts.
• Measuring the performance of community marketing objectives.
• Attending workshops and training opportunities relevant to the position.
• Publicly present at open meetings.
• Communicate with the local press to share accomplishments.
• Provide business development assistance for startup businesses, as well as businesses looking to expand or relocate.
• Cultivate relationships with existing businesses to promote the sustentation and retention of businesses in the communities served.
• Improve residential housing development options and availability.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

The Community and Business Development Specialist will report to CEDA’s management and leadership team consisting of the company’s Regional Manager, Vice-President, President/CEO.

Qualifications
CEDA is looking for a team member who wants more than just a job. We’re seeking a passionate, engaging individual who can find excitement and value in the important work that our organization does.

The ideal candidates should be self-motivated, possess high business morals, have excellent oral/written communication skills, and be energetic, results-oriented, and able to develop productive relationships. Qualified applicants should have applicable experience or a degree in community/economic development, public administration, business administration, marketing, management, or another relevant field.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and reliable means of transportation.

Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a diverse workforce. We will not discriminate against any employee or applicant based upon characteristics protected by law. We welcome and encourage people of all life experiences and backgrounds to apply.