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City of Seattle
Gregory J. Nickels, Mayor
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: Mayor Nickels nominates Susan Shannon as Office of Economic Development Director
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
12/13/2006 1:30:00 PM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Alex Fryer (206) 684-8358
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Mayor Nickels nominates Susan Shannon as
Office of Economic Development Director
SEATTLE - Mayor Greg Nickels announced today his nomination of Susan Shannon
as director of the city’s Office of Economic Development (OED). Shannon
brings a wealth of experience and a proven record of spurring investment, opportunities
and job growth in a major urban center.
"Susan Shannon will work hard to meet my goal to create jobs and economic opportunity for everyone in Seattle," Nickels said. "Shannon has the know-how and commitment to make Seattle an even better place to do business."
Nickels selected Shannon after an extensive nationwide search. The previous
director, Jill Nishi, left the city last year.
Shannon brings extensive leadership experience in economic development. For
10 years, she has served as the director of Economic Development for the city
of Grand Rapids, Mich.
In Grand Rapids, Shannon negotiated more than 50 development agreements with
businesses and developers. She initiated and served as executive director
to the Smartzone Authority, a tax increment financing program aimed at building
a science and technology economic base for the region. And Shannon successfully
established a Renaissance Zone and Brownfield Redevelopment Program, which
generated more than
$7.5 million of investment in contaminated and underutilized commercial and
industrial property and created 6,250 new jobs.
“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve the great
city of Seattle,” Shannon said. “This community is a model around
the country for cultivating economic growth while supporting its values of
environmental sustainability and shared prosperity for all. I look forward
to working with the mayor and his team to ensure continued success.”
Seattle's OED provides business assistance and community and work force development
services to businesses, community organizations and residents. Its goal is
to promote a strong economy, thriving neighborhoods and broadly shared prosperity.
Shannon’s appointment is subject to approval by the Seattle City Council
Visit the mayor’s web site at www.seattle.gov/mayor. Get the mayor’s
inside view on initiatives to promote transportation, public safety, economic
opportunity and healthy communities by signing up for The Nickels Newsletter
at www.seattle.gov/mayor/newsletter_signup.htm
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Office of the Mayor
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