Noblesville’s former economic development director has been named the interim director of the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance.
Chris Hamm, who led economic development in the Hamilton County community from 2001 to 2007, will take over as interim director of the alliance on March 11.
The group’s board of directors voted Monday to name Hamm to the position.
Commissioner Paul Wyman, a member of the alliance board of directors, said Hamm has an incredible background in economic development around Indiana.
“His skills and talents will fit in perfectly with the goals of the alliance,” Wyman said of Hamm. “This will be a good transition for the alliance.”
Hamm has been working recently as the principal planner for American Structurepoint, overseeing the company’s planning and economic development division.
While with American Structurepoint, Hamm was involved in the development of the zoning and overlay districts for the U.S. 31 Kokomo Corridor, which is set to open on the east side of Kokomo later this year.
Hamm said he sees limitless possibilities in Kokomo.
“No place in Indiana is currently [more] poised for economic growth and expansion than Kokomo at this time,” Hamm said. “The combination of large industry growth, particularly at Chrysler, along with a city and county government that are both fiscally secure, this community is poised for great success now and in the future. An opportunity to be part of sustaining this momentum during 2013 and building on recent successes is an exciting opportunity. I look forward to the possibilities.”
The Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance was created in 2009 through the merger of the Economic Development Corporation, the Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Association, Inventrek Technology Park and the Urban Enterprise Association and assumed the management responsibilities for the Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2011.
Jeb Conrad, executive director of the alliance since 2009, resigned in December, and Nora Shaykhutdinov resigned as chief operating officer last Thursday.
After leaving as economic development director in Noblesville, Hamm worked as vice president of marketing for the Saxony Management Company in 2009 and 2010 and was a partner with Northstar Land Entitlement and Development Services from March 2007 to December 2010.
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