EDC head looks for new challenge

After spending six years as the executive director of the Lake Norman Regional Economic Development Council, Jerry Broadway, 65, is ready for the next set of opportunities.

“I’m just looking forward to how else can I be involved in the profession,” said Broadway, who will retire from his job at the end of January.

Broadway, who now lives off Beatties Foard Road in west Huntersville, was hired in 2006 and moved from Virginia, where he was the deputy director of business development for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Broadway said he’s spent his 40-year career involved in some aspect of economic development, whether at the local, regional or state level.

“If I have some sort of knowledge that can be passed on to young folks getting into the profession, that’d be a tremendous opportunity, to have a positive impact going forward,” Broadway said.

The council will place the job listing in trade publications and on economic development websites and do a traditional interview-hiring process, Broadway said, adding he’s happy to stay on until his replacement is found.

“(The council) has indicated they would like to have someone by the end of January. But looking at the calendar and knowing the holidays are between that, the goal is to get someone in as quickly as they can go through the process.”

Lake Norman Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Russell said he was involved in the 2006 hiring process, and Broadway’s background in marketing and experience in the Asian business market made him the best candidate.

“We’re much better off today because of his efforts,” Russell said. “Long after he’s retired, he’ll have left a lasting impact of people who moved to the Lake Norman and Charlotte region because of his efforts, because they have jobs.”

Russell said the despite the economic climate the past few years, Broadway’s work has been “outstanding.”

“In a time where we’ve seen not a lot of activity in terms of economic development, (we’ve) seen some good strong performance by the EDC that’s been able to bring some companies in the Lake Norman region and jobs for our community.”

Broadway said he’d be hard-pressed to chose just one development he’s most proud of, but said there were two “milestone” projects that stand out: ABB opening in Huntersville and MSC Industrial Direct Supply Co. coming to Davidson.

Broadway said ABB – a power and automation technology group – brought more than 100 jobs and a $90-plus million capital investment to the region with the opening of their high voltage power cable manufacturing plant.

Broadway also said MSC –a direct marketer and distributor of metalworking; maintenance, repair and operations supplies – is bringing close to 400 jobs. “Those are good jobs and exactly the kind that fit well up here,” said Broadway.

Russell said Broadway excelled at using his marketing experience to “tell the story of the Lake Norman region.” Russell’s hope for the next executive director will be having experience with what he called “product development.”

“Making sure we have the available land parcels (and) sites that are shovel-ready for these companies when they get here,” said Russell, adding that working in conjunction with workforce development partners will also be of critical importance.

As for Broadway, he and his wife plan to stay in the Huntersville area, and he hopes to act as a consultant.

“I love being involved in projects, I may try to identify opportunities in the public sector to help with projects as they come along, or issues a locality is dealing with,” Broadway said.

“It’s very rewarding process when you can impact peoples lives by helping to provide better employment opportunities for them and their families,” he said.

“You’re not going to get rich but the other type of benefits really are rewarding.”