Erik Collins has made a career of exceptional service, developing millions of square feet of manufacturing, e-commerce, retail and service space and crafting an internationally-recognized business retention programs with proven success. In January, he starts his newest role: Development Director for the City of Centerville.
Collins most recently served as Director of Community and Economic Development for Montgomery County, where he led the day-to-day functions of building regulations, community development, planning and economic development.
“Bringing Erik Collins to the Centerville staff is a huge victory, not only for his deep roots in economic development, but also because his values align with the City,” City Manager Wayne Davis said. “He is focused on making communities stronger by supporting business owners and incentivizing growth.”
Collins helped to develop the BusinessFirst! retention and expansion program, which has been implemented in 30 communities and counts more than 10,000 local companies visited and approximately 100 regional resource partners. The project to revitalize Uptown in Centerville, for example, was launched as the result of a BusinessFirst! business walk, a tool to create conversations between business owners and local leaders.
“Not only is the Centerville community my home, I have worked closely with the Centerville team for several years. I have seen firsthand the hard work leading to powerful change in key areas like Uptown and Cornerstone. I look forward to joining the team and continuing to build on that momentum,” Collins said.
Collins also serves in several board and leadership roles, including the Entrepreneurs’ Center (Board of Directors), Greater Dayton Foreign Trade Zone (Chair, Board of Directors) former Board Member I-70/75 Development Association (past president), the Dayton/Montgomery County Port Authority, Ohio Economic Development Association (past board member). Collins also sits on the Board of Directors for the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and is an instructor for the International Economic Development Council. Additionally, his service as a board member with the City of Centerville’s Community Improvement Corporation has been an excellent introduction to Centerville businesses and key players, as well as the incentives available to them.
Previous Development Director Michael Norton-Smith left the job to accept the position of City Manager in the Cincinnati suburb of Madeira, Ohio.
Original source can be found here.
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