Development partnership director takes new position

[June 14, 2012]  Last night, the East Hampton, Conn., Town Council announced their unanimous decision to hire Michael Maniscalco as their next town manager. Maniscalco, most recently, has been the executive director of the Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership. During his tenure, Maniscalco has led the development partnership to numerous accomplishments, including:

• Helped stop the closure of Logan Correctional Center, saving 357 jobs and avoiding an estimated $78 million blow to the Logan County economy.

• Endorsement and grass-roots implementation of the countywide Economic Development Master Plan.

• Coordination of utility aggregation countywide to help drive down the cost of small business and residential electric bills.

"Michael has taken the partnership from being an organization that once represented just Lincoln to an organization that represents and works with all of the Logan County communities," said board president Steve Smith.

Internally, Maniscalco did a lot of work to make the partnership a well-run organization, including cleaning up the finances, finishing a revision to the partnership's bylaws and development of a new website that works as a marketing tool for the organization.

"The partnership is a much stronger, efficient organization as a result of Michael's work," Smith said.

Maniscalco's last day on the job will be June 30, and he will start his new position on July 9.

The development partnership has announced the search for a new director effective immediately. The job announcement is posted on Indeed.com and by the Illinois Development Council. Applications will be accepted until July 9. The position description outlines a list of required attributes, including consensus builder and knowledge of economic development theories and incentives.

"The partnership is so strong because it is just that: a partnership between for-profit, nonprofit and government entities, all with the same goals," said Maniscalco.

The Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership is a nonprofit charitable organization with the goals to develop new business, retain current business and enhance the quality of life in Logan County and all of its communities.

[Text from file received from Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership]