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411 West First Street • Duluth, Minnesota 55802 • www.duluthmn.gov
SUBJECT: Rand selected as Business and Community Development Director
BY: Pakou Ly, Public Information Coordinator, 218-730-5309
Heather Rand selected as Director of Business & Economic Development
[Duluth, MN] – Heather Rand has been selected as the City of Duluth’s Director of Business and Economic Development. Rand will lead the City of Duluth’s economic development initiatives and serve as Executive Director of the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA).
“We are excited to have Heather join our team and provide leadership on economic development initiatives. The City and DEDA have made great headway over the past several years and Heather will be a key player in expanding that momentum. Heather brings the right skillset to this position and invaluable relationships with key partners and stakeholders in the economic development community that will move Duluth towards continued prosperity and growth,” said Chief Administrative Officer David Montgomery.
Rand is leaving her position as Regional Economic Developer for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Rand has over 20 years of experience managing community development programs, state and federal lobbying; strategic development planning; helping businesses relocate or expand; and administering economic development grants and loan programs.
“Continuing to advance economic vitality citywide will be my primary focus. Duluth is well positioned to support the growth of both existing and new businesses. I very much look forward to joining the City of Duluth’s business and economic development team and working directly with city leadership, the city council, DEDA, and a very impressive group of public and private sector development partners,” said Heather Rand.
Rand is a highly experienced state and regional Economic Development Professional with leadership experience at the city, county, and state level. She has an extensive working knowledge of Duluth and its economic development opportunities. She has well developed working relationships with local, regional, state and federal economic development partners and representatives from various government agencies, NGO’s and also within the private sector.
Rand will start her new position on November 30, 2015, pending City Council approval at their November 23, 2015 meeting.