City of Greeley hires Chad Howell as economic development director

GREELEY — The city of Greeley has hired Chad Howell to lead its new economic development department.

Howell previously was the director of major projects for the St. Louis Development Corp., a nonprofit arm for the city of St. Louis. The corporation operated as a nonprofit with the executive leadership being appointed by the city. It works to stimulate the market for private investment in city real estate and business development.

Howell will begin his new job as economic development director for Greeley on July 16. He will receive an annual salary of $108,000.

Sharon McCabe, the city’s human resources director, said Howell is being asked to develop the department that will have “one or two” employees at the start. “It will be up to Chad to determine how the new department will interact with other city departments,” she said.

The city will be releasing information on the hiring of Howell and his specific duties in the near future, said Becky Safarik, the city’s assistant city manager.

Greeley’s city manager Roy Otto said late last year the city wanted to elevate its economic development efforts. The city began its search for its director in January and an effort to allocate funds to support the department. McCabe said Howell was selected from a group of five finalists.

Bruce Biggi, now the chief marketing officer of the recently formed and privately operated economic development group, the Northern Colorado Economic Alliance, had been the city’s economic development manager for seven years before resigning Dec. 31. As economic development manager, Biggi was working in the community development department.