PANAMA CITY — Bay County will welcome a new face in economic development in the coming weeks.
The Bay County Economic Development Alliance (EDA) recently hired a senior vice president to aid in its efforts to grow jobs and bring new industry to the area.
Becca Hardin, a Columbus, Ga. resident with 14 years experience in economic development, will begin work as the new vice president of the organization Oct. 13.
EDA Director Neal Wade said the new position will help the EDA better market Bay County as project activity continues to increase. Wade said the cost of the hire is within the EDA’s 2014-2015 budget, with $65,000 in public money going toward Hardin’s salary. As with any employee, she will have a six-month probationary period.
“I want to be sure we’ve got the kind of staff that can do what we need to do,” Wade said. “We already have her plate full when she gets here.”
With the new hire, the EDA also will be reconfiguring its job titles to become more streamlined with national and international positions, with Wade assuming the title of president of the organization.
Hardin will be leaving her job as vice president of business development for a Columbus construction company. Prior to that, she worked as executive vice president at the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce for 13 years.
“She’s got 14 years of experience in economic development in Columbus, Ga., so I think she’s going to be a great asset to us here,” Wade said. “She’s got a great Rolodex; she’s got a great network of people in the target areas we’re working in.”
In addition to aiding in marketing efforts, Wade said Hardin also will be working to aid growth in existing industry in Bay County.
“She will be busy; I can tell you that,” he said.