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MCBD Executive Director to retire by end of year

Etter

The executive director of the Marshalltown Central Business District is set to retire by the end of 2019.

MCBD Board President Nate McCormick said Jenny Etter, who has served in the position since 2012, had discussed her plans with the board last year. Because of the complexities of the job, the decision was made to begin the process of finding her replacement.

“We feel like making sure we got continuity through the rebuilding of the downtown is critically important, so that is part of why we wanted to work this (job application) process sooner rather than later,” he said.

The MCBD, founded in 2002, is a non-profit. It seeks to restore, preserve and grow downtown Marshalltown. These efforts have been complicated by the July 2018 tornado.

Etter said she does not yet have a set date for retirement, as she plans to stay on to train whoever ends up filling her position.

“I want to stick around and have a really nice transition in training the new person and make sure that goes really well — it’s a big job. I’m willing to do that, so (the board) is excited about that,” Etter said.

Looking to the future, Etter said she plans to remain in Marshalltown after her retirement. She wants to stay active in the tornado recovery process.

“I’m looking at other opportunities to pursue,” she said.

In addition to a new executive director, the MCBD is also seeking a business disaster recovery case coordinator, who would be funded by Region 6 Planning Commission. Job duties would include working with local businesses impacted by the tornado, provide advisory support for code and zoning compliance, historical preservation standards and project execution. This person would work closely with the MCBD design committee to develop improved communication of design standards, working out of the MCBD office, 16 E. Main St., Suite 280.

Architect Martha Green, who is based in Des Moines, has been working with the MCBD to offer Marshalltownians free consultation services through Main Street Iowa. However, her term of service is set to expire this summer.

“Martha is on a limited time contract, and (tornado recovery) will proceed for some time beyond when she is going to be available, so we’re looking at how our building and business owners will bridge the gap between the planning phase and the execution phase,” McCormick said.

Applications will be accepted until April 19 at 5 p.m. It is a full-time position offered for a one-year contract period, renewable for an additional year contingent on grant funding.

To learn more, visit www.marshalltownmainstreet.org/careers or email marshalltownmainstreet@gmail.com.

“We want it to flow with the grant moneys and with the restoration projects and all the things that Martha and I have been doing — to have this transition — with the efforts still supported,” Etter said. “Ending my career in this position — it couldn’t have been better as far as seeing growth and collaboration.”

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Contact Sara Jordan-Heintz at 641-753-6611

timesrepublican.com

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