Fergus Falls councilors pitch in-house economic development director, funding options

Fergus Falls City Council members and staff spent a work session outlining a plan to create an in‑house economic development director position and complementary programs to grow the city’s tax base, increase living‑wage jobs and spur housing and commercial development. The meeting featured three council teams presenting a common recommendation for a full‑time, city‑based economic development manager, potential funding mechanisms and a package of 10 initiatives ranging from workforce programs to riverfront redevelopment.

The discussion centered on why a city employee would improve coordination and speed compared with an outside nonprofit: “We need someone to see a desire to change,” Council Member Mike Martinson said, urging a candidate with sales, real estate and deal‑making experience who can “hand‑hold that business all the way through.” Laura Kildee, who led a separate team presentation, recommended hiring the director through the Port Authority with clear benchmarks and a performance‑driven budget that would not increase the overall levy immediately.

Supporters said an in‑house director would spend much of their time on business retention and attraction, with proposed time splits of roughly 50% on existing business retention and expansion, 40% on new business…