Early Chamber of Commerce recently announced that it will be undergoing changes as the Early Economic Development Corporation (EEDC) transitions to a municipal development district.
The first change to the EEDC is dissolution of the Type A operating structure and the creation of the Early Municipal Development District (EMDD) which was approved by the citizens of Early during an election this past May.
Under the existing operation, the EEDC and Early Chamber of Commerce (ECOC) used a joint executive director (ED) for both organizations. The EEDC and the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) had been managed by the Early Chamber; however, the City of Early is restructuring to manage the CVB directly. New positions of Director of Economic Development (EMDD) and Membership Director for the Chamber of Commerce will be created, replacing the current position of one executive director of both organizations.
The Early Chamber board will meet today (Wednesday) and discuss possible candidates for their new membership director position and hope to fill it in the coming week, according to Early Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Shawn Russell.
Along with this change, the City of Early’s hotel occupancy tax funds to promote tourism will now be managed by the City of Early through the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau coordinator. The Early Chamber board and ambassador’s groups will still be actively involved in helping the City of Early Convention and Visitors Bureau by volunteering their time to help with the many tourism events that are planned, such as Early Pioneer Days, Early Spring Swing Golf Tournament, and The Shooting Extravaganza.Early City Administrator Tony Aaron said he believes these changes will be good for the City of Early. He stated that although there will be more division on how each entity is funded, each group will focus on specific tasks, but will continue to work together as one big economic development team.
“Everything about it, I feel, will be a good thing for the city. The Early Chamber of Commerce and the
city have been working together on this for several months,” said Aaron. “We are all focused on generating economic growth in our community.”
Currently, Shawn Russell serves as the ED for both the Early Economic Development Corporation and Early Chamber of Commerce, but with these changes, Russell has decided not to continue her employment with the of EMDD. She plans to go back to full time as a registered nurse at Brownwood Regional Medical Center, where her career dates back to 1981. Along with her job as executive director, Russell had continued to work as a part time RN. Russell’s last day to serve as ED will be September 30th, as the changes within the EMDD will take place on October 1st. Early City Administrator Tony Aaron stated that the city will post for hiring the position of the economic director for the EMDD sometime mid-October.
“I’m very excited for the future of all organizations involved in this change. As the board of directors explained in the letter (to members), I am staying on as an ambassador and will continue to be involved in the community,” said Russell. “I am looking forward to working as a registered nurse on a full time basis again with my BRMC family and spending more time on my faith, family and friends.”
In addition to her being involved as an ECOC ambassador, Russell will help to train the new membership director that will be hired by the Early Chamber of Commerce. She will also continue her involvement with the Texas Midwest Community Network Board of Directors representing Brown County and leading the TMCN Teen Leadership program.
Aaron joined the Early Chamber Board in voicing appreciation for Russell’s hard work since her hiring in August of 2014, “Shawn has done a great job working with the Chamber of Commerce (as executive director) and she will be greatly missed.”
