Linda Dawson moves up to hed Economic Development

So sayeth The Herald Bulletin: Ockomon appoints Dawson to executive position.

I met Linda Dawson while working on a deal to bring a brewery to Anderson. I found her intelligent and anything but a bureaucrat. So I applaud Kris Ockomon moving her up to head Economic Development.

Dawson, currently deputy director of economic development, said she was honored to be appointed to the position. During her tenure as executive director, Dawson said, she and Ockomon both want to concentrate efforts on areas that have attracted little business activity, such as the west side and the north side of Anderson. Also, they plan to initiate a lead program that would help the city identify firms that might consider locating to Anderson.

“We want to give heavy attention to the global economy and position ourselves through marketing to be a primary location for foreign investment,” Dawson said. “We are working on several deals as we speak. We are making contact with those companies to let them know that both administrations are working diligently together.”

Dawson said she and Ockomon were trying to “entice” Pigg to stay on staff in a different position.

“He’s a valuable employee, and he brings a knowledge to Anderson that would be hard to replace,” she said.

Ockomon also decided to retain Michael Widing as director of building and planning for the Department of Municipal Development.

“I’m very conscious of his efforts as a building commissioner and planning director,” Ockomon said. “He is very well-received by the business community.”

Widing replaced David Eicks as building commissioner when Mayor Kevin Smith took office in 2004.