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T'ville economic developer Debra Fox takes job to promote Marengo County's economy
She accepted her new position May 9, and her last day on the job in Thomasville will be May 23. "The experience of creating a Development and Planning Department from the ground up has been extremely rewarding," Fox said Wednesday. "(Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day) and I worked very hard to create the 'Thomasville brand' and promote it consistently. We were a successful marketing team. "As a official, he was always willing to think beyond being 'rural' and to attempt the unexpected. That is what makes him such a dynamic leader and figurehead for Thomasville," she said. "The supplier conferences are proof of that." "When Debra came to us (in February 2005), we didn't have an economic development department," Mayor Day said Monday. "I was stretched real thin. She came in and has done a wonderful job. She helped establish the department. Day said Fox had assisted with zoning, the city's strategic plan, the city's acceptance into the Alabama Communities of Excellence program and the annual Suppliers Conference. "Thomasville has prospered with her here," he said. "…She's leaving on a good note. She is very proud of what she has done here.…I wish her well." With her exit letter, Fox also listed a number of accomplishments during her tenure, including application for the speculative building, downtown investment and renovation, and increased media coverage for the city. Fox is leaving Thomasville with the next Suppliers Conference planned for August 13. "We're basically 90 days away," Day said. In addition, Thomasville has got a lot of projects underway. "We've got a file drawer of prospects we are working with." Day talked to the city council Monday concerning installing someone in the development position on an interim basis. "This is a time going forward to access how effective is what we are doing," the mayor said. "How cost efficient is what we're doing? "We've been effective, but we can look at ways that we can be more efficient." He is confident that the same Thomasville community that successfully welcomed Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain to town will rally around for future projects. There were over 100 people who worked on the events surrounding the McCain visit.
Mayor Day said he would also take advantage of the expertise of Coastal Gateway Economic Development Authority, of which Clarke County is now a member.
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