Ferris names new EDC director

FERRIS – The city of Ferris has named its new Economic Development Director following the resignation recently of former EDC Director James Branch.

Mike Grace will serve as the chief economic development officer according to Ferris City Manager Brooks Williams “and [he] will continue to ensure that planning, zoning, development, engineering, and EDC are all in-sync with one another. Our city planner, engineer, and community development will take on greater responsibility in their daily roles so that Mike can transition to his new role in the EDC Department.”

It was an extensive search and interviewing process, but Williams decided to transition from within.

“There were extremely well qualified candidates, the list was narrowed to three finalists,” Williams explained.

One of the three was the business development officer for the city of Denton, one was the former EDC director from the city of Sachse, and one was the city of Ferris’ current community development and planning leader; Grace.

Williams said they examined the role of the EDC, which is in line with the Development Corporation Act of 1979 giving cities the ability to finance new and expanded business enterprises in their local communities through economic development corporations.

He said, “You are also aware that chapters 501, 504 and 505 of the Local Government Code outline the characteristics of Type A and Type B EDCs, authorize cities to adopt a sales tax to fund the corporations and define projects EDCs are allowed to undertake.”

Examining how that worked in conjunction with planning, zoning, engineering, etc., Williams said it was determined these “are in lock step with one another because of the significant role each play in the role of new construction and development in our City.”

“In fact,” he added “many cities are now merging those departments and the EDC to report under the same umbrella.”

Grace, currently the Ferris assistant city manager, joined the team after serving as the director of unincorporated area services (DUAS) at Dallas County. He was responsible for developing, implementing, guiding, and managing the department’s and county operational framework. In addition to inter-departmental collaboration, extra-territorial agreements, and inter-jurisdictional coordination between Dallas County and various municipalities, Grace was responsible for developing initiatives and partnerships focused on unincorporated areas of Dallas County.

His experience includes, but is not limited to 20-years experience in civic engagement, local government, land entitlement, business and operational development and management, process improvement, public policy advocacy and regulatory enforcement.

He is also certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners, is a Dallas native with a vast local, state, national and international network and holds a Master’s degree in Regional and City Planning, a Bachelor’s degree in Geography and an Economic Development Certificate from the University of Oklahoma’s highly regarded Economic Development Institute.

“We are excited to announce that the role and responsibilities of the EDC will transition to Mike,” Williams concluded.