South Coast Development Council selects interim director in Coos Bay, Dec. 9

The South Coast Development Council (SCDC) is pleased to announce it has selected John Hitt as interim executive director. On the job since Dec. 1, the interim director will focus on promotion and support of businesses that provide quality jobs through responsible development on Oregon’s South Coast.  Hitt’s first task is collaboration with local business owners and other economic development stakeholders to develop stronger partnerships to retain, expand and recruit businesses in the southwestern region. He also will lend his expertise to the ongoing efforts to strengthen the SCDC organization, and will advise SCDC’s board of directors in the search for a full-time executive director in 2014.  “In the short time that I have begun work in Coos County, it already is apparent there are great opportunities here to retain and grow quality jobs, while protecting an amazing environment and quality of life,” Hitt said. “I anticipate a very full and productive tenure as SCDC’s interim director.”  Hitt managed the city of Lebanon, Oregon, for the past 14 years. Prior to that, he served as city manager of Amity, Oregon. He also worked in Washington as executive director of the Island District Economic Development Council, an economic development organization covering Island and San Juan counties, as well as five incorporated cities.  Hitt has decades of hands-on experience and success with traded sector economic development. While in Lebanon, he successfully recruited a Lowe’s distribution center now serving Lowe’s stores throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. With an average employment of more than 350 full-time employees, the Lowe’s center brings in more than $20 million direct, new dollars per year into Lebanon’s economy.  “Coos County and the southern Oregon coast are rapidly approaching an economic turning point,” said Fred Jacquot, vice chairman of the SCDC Board of Directors. “John brings the right mix of skills and experience to SCDC to work with our community business partners to capitalize our region’s potential.”