McFadden appointed Director of Ec Dev

Stuart McFadden

John Norton, General Manager of Community Development for Chatham-Kent, today announced the appointment of Stuart McFadden as the municipality’s new Director of Economic Development.

“I believe Stuart has the combination of experience, community knowledge and enthusiasm to help Chatham-Kent reach its potential as a leading community not only in Southwestern Ontario but the province as well,” Norton said in a media release.

McFadden, who has served as acting director for the past two years joined the municipality in 2007.

He spent more than two decades in private business as both an owner and operator.

“I’m honoured and excited to serve as Director of the Economic Development Services team,” the Wallaceburg resident said in a press release.

“We have focused our efforts on enhancing our customers experience by promoting local entrepreneurship, helping Chatham-Kent companies expand and access funding that supports training and new technology acquisition while also promoting our great community as the place to invest to those outside our borders. This focus will not change.”

McFadden added: “As a former business owner, I understand the challenges businesses face daily and we will continue to work towards providing an environment that is very business friendly. We already have a good relationship with our federal and provincial governments, but I intend to increase focus on these relationships so they are aware that we are investment ready and open for business.”

Norton said McFadden’s hiring solidifies his plan of having the municipality combine regulatory adherence and business attraction in a seamless fashion.

“Having both of the necessary functions under the same umbrella means we can act in an efficient, cohesive manner,” he said.

“We need to ensure that we are ready to embrace economic development and investment in such a way that it complements our short and long-term plan to be a welcoming, healthy prosperous community that is culturally rich and naturally innovative.”

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