Jonathan is a Certified Economic Developer with ten years of economic development experience. His key accomplishments include successful recruitment of national and international companies. He has also assisted local businesses with expansions and exporting projects. In total, Smith has helped with over a dozen companies locate or expand new operations. These companies have invested over $1.5 billion in facilities and equipment and have created approximately 1,100 jobs.Jon also has… Show more Jonathan is a Certified Economic Developer with ten years of economic development experience. His key accomplishments include successful recruitment of national and international companies. He has also assisted local businesses with expansions and exporting projects. In total, Smith has helped with over a dozen companies locate or expand new operations. These companies have invested over $1.5 billion in facilities and equipment and have created approximately 1,100 jobs.Jon also has experience with infrastructure development and has helped secure over $25 million of grant and loan funding for needed infrastructure for job creating projects. This includes, rail, water, sewer, roads, electrical infrastructure and fiber optics. Some of Jon's most rewarding work has been coordinating workforce development programs between businesses and educational institutions. These training programs result in hundreds of local residents receiving the training and skills they need to be successful in local family wage jobs. Additionally Jon has worked with small businesses and rural communities to help develop main streets, and spur business growth in distressed areas.Smith is currently the Chair-Elect of the Washington Economic Development Association and a board member of the Washington Aerospace Partnership. He has a Master's Degree in Communication & Leadership Studies from Gonzaga University and a Bachelor's Degree in Public Communication with a minor in Economics from the University of Idaho. Show less

Since becoming Executive Director in 2012, Jonathan has assisted six companies in relocating to or expanding in Grant County. These companies are spending over $1.2 Billion in construction of new facilities and are creating 500 full time jobs that pay approximately $28 million in annual wages and salaries.His other responsibilities included:- Coordinating programs and personnel with the needs of clients, external agencies, and community, state, and federal governments-… Show more Since becoming Executive Director in 2012, Jonathan has assisted six companies in relocating to or expanding in Grant County. These companies are spending over $1.2 Billion in construction of new facilities and are creating 500 full time jobs that pay approximately $28 million in annual wages and salaries.His other responsibilities included:- Coordinating programs and personnel with the needs of clients, external agencies, and community, state, and federal governments- Directing the ongoing development of the Building Prosperity program objectives by identifying appropriate services and tactics to accomplish the programs objectives- Serving on local, regional, state and national boards, committees and advisory groups that furthered the vision and mission of the Grant County EDC- Promoting economic development capacity building in the communities within Grant County by establishing relationships with community leaders and serving as a catalyst among regional leaders who are working to enhance the area’s economic vitality- Meeting with businesses and site selectors to determine their issues and needs and assist them in accessing appropriate resources within Grant County- Pro-actively identifying regional, national and global business prospects through multiple marketing venues to generate viable recruitment prospects for Grant County- Representing Grant County EDC to the media on issues related to economic development- Developing and administering the Grant County EDC budget and overseeing development of grant requests and service contracts- Directing and guiding economic development research relevant to Grant County- Overseeing the implementation of community luncheons, and events- Presenting about Grant County EDC activities to other interested groups, organizations, and municipalities Show less

Since joining the EDC in 2005, Jonathan has assisted seven companies in relocating to Grant County. These companies have spent over $450 million in construction of new facilities and have created 280 full time jobs that pay approximately $14 million in annual wages and salaries.His other responsibilities include:- Conducting site visits and tours for business clients.- Preparing custom site location packets for interested businesses.- Working with elected officials, local… Show more Since joining the EDC in 2005, Jonathan has assisted seven companies in relocating to Grant County. These companies have spent over $450 million in construction of new facilities and have created 280 full time jobs that pay approximately $14 million in annual wages and salaries.His other responsibilities include:- Conducting site visits and tours for business clients.- Preparing custom site location packets for interested businesses.- Working with elected officials, local managers and CEO's to develop a strategy for improving the business climate.- Facilitating and participating in community planning meetings to encourage sustained economic development.- Preparing and delivering educational presentations on economic development activities and programs.- Researching and organizing local and regional economic and demographic information.- Maintaining the EDC's web site and creating annual reports and quarterly newsletters.- Coordinating with staff, board of directors, and executive committee to implement the annual fundraiser.- Writing and distributing press releases to local media outlets. Show less