CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Carlos Jeer will begin his duties as the economic development director for the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 10. Moving from St. Louis, Mo., he is excited about the unique features Marshalltown has to offer.

Carlos Jeer will begin his new duties as the economic development director for the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 10.

Jeer, 25, brings experience in fundraising, politics and advocacy. He and his family — wife, Victoria, and son, Charlie — will move to Marshalltown during the first week of August. They will arrive from St. Louis, Mo., and Jeer is looking forward to his new home.

“Marshalltown is unique,” he said. “Everything is 10 minutes away — the hospital, clinics, major retail stores. There is tremendous potential and energy in Marshalltown.”

One of the aspects that really impresses Jeer is the manufacturing industry.

“Look at Emerson, MARSHALLTOWN Company, Lennox,” he said. “What those folks have done with their manufacturing is impressive and it is something I want to be part of.”

The manufacturing industry creates a lot of potential development for Marshalltown, Jeer said. He described economic development as the overarching umbrella covering workforce development, housing and helping a community thrive.

“Marshalltown is poised to thrive, grow and prosper,” he said.

The first things Jeer wants to work on in his position as the economic development director is building relationships with key stakeholders, city leaders and citizens.

“I want to figure out what the city needs, figure out what Marshall County has for economic development and figure out how to attract businesses that really complement the infrastructure and existing businesses we have now,” he said.

Jeer said another unique feature to Marshalltown is the location — close to Iowa metropolitan areas such as Des Moines and Ames.

“Bigger is not always better,” he said. “Those clusters create a great workforce. We can bring in companies that complement others in Marshalltown. If someone says companies will not come to Marshalltown, that they want what other communities have to offer, those towns do not have the business environment Marshalltown has.”

Jeer was born and raised in Honduras. He graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo. in 2017 with a triple major in economics, political science and public administration.

After graduation, he served as a regional organizer for the Missouri Republican Party. He also worked as the investor relations project coordinator for the St. Louis Regional Chamber.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.