Economic development consultant declines new position

City economic development consultant Ioanna Morfessis said she will end her contract with the city of Maricopa at the end of the month, despite declining an offer to head up Rhode Island’s economic development effort.

Morfessis was tapped Dec. 11 by the Economic Development Corporation, which is led by Rhode Island Gov. Donald Carcieri, and was just waiting for what was considered an automatic approval from that state’s legislature. However, last week Morfessis informed the governor she could not accept the position due to a personal family matter.

“Due to recent knowledge of a family member’s serious health challenges, it is with deep regret and a heavy heart that I withdraw as the governor’s executive director designee for the Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation,” Morfessis said.

Morfessis was originally hired as the city of Maricopa’s economic development consultant in late 2005. However, during her last contract renewal in June, her annual salary was lowered to $90,000 as part of a planned phase out of the consultant position. “In a time of economic hardship, we need to continue to focus on economic development,” said Councilman Joe Estes, during the meeting.

That contract was supposed to run through June 2010, but Morfessis said she has decided to end the partnership at the end of January. “I feel both humble and fortunate to have worked with a city from its infancy,” she said. Morfessis said that she has several large projects in the pipeline for the city, which are nearing the finish line. She said Maricopa City Manager Kevin Evans and Economic Development Manager Danielle Casey will oversee the completion of the projects. “I will be leaving these projects in some great hands,” Morfessis said.

“This community (Maricopa) has its act together,” she added. “With strong leadership and a commitment to economic development, it has positioned itself for the recovery better than any other community in the state.”
 

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