Broomfield economic developer resigns

BROOMFIELD – The official in charge of overseeing economic development in the city of Broomfield is stepping down after fewer than six months on the job.

Joe McClure was hired in November to take over the newly created position of economic development director. The director’s job is to pursue new commercial and retail businesses, attract businesses and research and development entities to the city and solidify Broomfield’s economic base for jobs and economic stability. It works out of the City and County Manager’s Office with an annual salary of $124,000.

McClure submitted his resignation letter to the city April 1 and will be leaving April 29.

The move is for family reasons, McClure said. He has a wife and eight children.

McClure came to Broomfield from Billings, Montana, and had not yet moved his family to Broomfield, he said. He will accept a position as district director for the U.S. Small Business Administration in Helena, Montana.

“We just decided it was best for us for me to return to Montana,” McClure said.

McClure said he enjoyed working in Broomfield, and the city was on the right track.

“Everything was going great here,” McClure said. “I really think we were moving in the right direction. The city was really poised to grow.”

City officials praised McClure’s work during his short tenure.

“Joe was definitely an asset, but Broomfield is all about family, and we have no quarrel with his decision to return to Montana. We tell our employees that family has to come first, and we mean it. We are sorry to see Joe leave, though,” Broomfield City and County Manager George Di Ciero said in a statement.

Deputy City and County Manager Charles Ozaki, who will replace Di Ciero on May 1, said the work begun by McClure was headed in the right direction.

McClure was hired following a multimonth candidate search that screened more than 100 applicants. His successor might come from that pool of candidates, Ozaki said.

His hiring was the final part of a transition in the relationship between the Broomfield city and county government and the Broomfield Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit supported by the city and private investors that is charged with promoting local business in Broomfield.

The city took over business attraction efforts, which had primarily been the role of the BEDC. The BEDC’s role changed to represent Broomfield businesses in their relationships with the city.

“Joe and I worked well together. I’m a bit disappointed he is leaving,” BEDC president Jessica Erickson said.

McClure came to Broomfield from Billings, Montana, where he had lived since 2001 and where he was chief executive of Advanced Care Hospital of Montana. Prior to that job he was executive director of the Big Sky Economic Development Authority.

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