New JCED director ready to serve Jones Co.

     In late September 2017, Jones County Economic Development lost its executive director of six and a half years, Dusty Embree.

     Now, the JCED Board of Directors is proud to welcome Derek Lumsden to the role.

     After only a couple of weeks on the job, Lumsden is ready to meet business owners and find out how he can serve Jones County.

     “I want to figure out what’s been done, where all of the different communities are at in the county,” he said. “My biggest goal to start is probably going to be trying to get out and meet the businesses, meet the people, and learn what’s out there.”

     Lumsden previously resided in Osceola. He has an impressive background.

     He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Truman State University in Missouri. He received two master’s degrees in Public and Corporate Communications and Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University in NJ.

     Lumsden has almost 10 years of experience working with the Main Street Iowa program, which filters through the Iowa Economic Development Authority. Main Street Iowa is a national program that the State of Iowa is a part of, with 54 Main Street communities.

     “Its focus is downtown development, small businesses, downtown amenities, upper story housing, historic preservation, fundraising, volunteer recruitment/retention and event planning,” explained Lumsden.

     With his background, Lumsden said he could assist the smaller communities in knowing what’s possible in regards to their downtowns.

     “Having the background to know what’s possible, being able to show successful examples of historic preservation, ways to recruit/maintain businesses, I think that’ll help give the downtowns a little bit of a lift so when we’re working to recruit manufacturing or other types of potential businesses, they see there’s already a strong core,” offered Lumsden.

     Ironically, Lumsden currently resides in an apartment in downtown Central City as his family works to sell their home in Osceola and find housing in Jones County.

     “Studies show when you have people who live downtown they tend to shop more downtown because it’s easy access,” Lumsden said. “They don’t have to drive anywhere; they can walk. Stores stay open. So it’s proven that it’s more economically beneficial to have your customers live downtown than have to drive in.”

     Lumsden said the job description has changed for the JCED director, and that’s what interested him in the job in the first place because it allowed him to utilize his background. What used to heavily push manufacturing jobs and housing options has now phased into “total community development.

     “It still has those aspects, but it talks about life amenities, downtown development, all things that I’m used to,” said Lumsden. “It adds another quiver in my arrows.”

     Since starting on June 4, Lumsden has been attending multiple meetings throughout Jones County: city councils, chambers, and more.

     “I’ve been trying to get out there and introduce myself and see what people are saying and what they need help with,” Lumsden offered. “Whether it’s Anamosa itself or some of the smaller towns like Oxford Junction and Wyoming, I’ve been trying to be in all of them to see what Economic Development means to the people and what we can do for them moving forward.”

     Another tool Lumsden brings to this job is his involvement with Enhance Iowa, of which he’s been a part of for a couple of years. Lumsden serves as the board’s tourism representative. He said it’s more of an educational experience for himself, hearing from people across the state about what they’re all doing in their respective counties.

     “You have people from all over the state coming to talk about their amazing projects, what they did, and how they raised money. There are a lot of interesting things happening all over the state,” praised Lumsden.

     While the main JCED office is located in downtown Anamosa, Lumsden said he plans to maintain a presence in both Monticello and Anamosa during the week, spending two days in each city. “They’re the main contributors and supporters of what we do,” he said. “As the biggest communities, that makes a lot of sense.”

     The fifth day of the week will be spent in the smaller incorporated communities, assisting them in their needs as well.

     Lumsden said he’s still getting acclimated with the job, so he doesn’t have any immediate goals for the county just yet.

     “Someone told me they’re surprised with how comfortable I already feel,” he said so early in the job. “With businesses, I don’t have that time lapse of coming to a new community and needing time to get started. I just go out and do it. That shows people that we are a resource and they know who I am and it opens the door for conversation about what Economic Development does and we can tell them how we can help them and help the communities in general.”

     Lumsden and his wife have three young boys, which keeps them busy.

     “If people do have some things they’d like to see, or just want to meet me to talk about what you want, let me know,” urged Lumsden.

     You can contact JCED at 319-480-7446 or director@jonescountydevelopment.com.