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New Stafford economic development director outlines business‑retention, reporting and permitting priorities
Summary
Joe Ash, newly contracted as Stafford’s economic development director, presented to the SEDC on Oct. 28 a work plan emphasizing business retention visits, an orientation manual, monthly reports to the board and council, and attention to permitting processes to help convert incentives into open businesses.
Joe Ash, introduced to the Stafford Economic Development Corporation on Oct. 28 as the corporation’s newly contracted economic development director, told the board he intends to focus on business retention, clearer processes, and regular reporting.
‘‘I’d like the opportunity . . . to meet with folks over the coming month,’’ Ash said at his first meeting, offering to learn board members’ priorities and to align his work with both the SEDC and city council. He said he plans to create an orientation manual, update incentive application materials, visit existing employers and produce monthly reports to the board and to city council so ‘‘when you’re paying me . . . we’re seeing progress and those things are aligned with what this board and what the council wants to accomplish.’’
Ash said he will spend regular in‑city hours — Mondays and Tuesdays — and that he is ‘‘not here to tell people what they wanna hear. I’m here to tell you what I believe.’’ He added that while he will offer candid advice, he will support the board’s decisions.
Board members welcomed Ash and asked him to reach out to individual directors and to council members about the Stafford Center expansion study and other priorities. Several directors suggested Ash lead a coordinated business‑retention effort, including creating a prioritized list of primary employers for visitations and potential recognition events. Ash recommended that the program be balanced, repeated and judicious given limited staff resources.
The board asked Ash to return with a short work plan and to help prepare for a workshop to refine SEDC priorities in early 2026.
