FAIRFIELD — The city's first economic development manager is a familiar face locally.

        Kimberly Coyner helped retain and recruit businesses in Mason from 1999 to 2000 as the economic development coordinator. She also worked for Butler County United Way from 1998 to 1999 as director for community investing and planning and a campaign associate.

KIMBERLY COYNER

Age: 27     Title: Fairfield Economic Development Manager     Experience: City of Mason, economic development coordinator, 1999-2000; Butler County United Way, director of community investment and planning and campaign associate, 1998-1999.     Education: Master of Public Affairs, Indiana University, 1996-1998; Bachelor of Arts, University of Dayton, 1993-1996.

        “I'm anxious to get started,” Ms. Coyner, 27, said Thursday in a phone interview from her home in Belpre,. “It's a good time for Fairfield to step out in a new light and combine some of the new projects they are putting together.”

        Ms. Coyner will earn $45,000 a year and receive a city cell phone. She is scheduled to start work April 1 after relocating with her family from their southeastern Ohio home.

        The new economic development position is key in Fairfield's drive to spark more development and tax revenue in this aging bedroom community of about 45,000 residents.

        Ms. Coyner will be expected to lure commercial and industrial businesses to that area and retail and other specialty stores to Village Green, the city's new downtown. She also will help Fairfield merchants and implement the city's Ohio 4 revitalization project.

        “It's finally all going to come to fruition,” Mayor Erick Cook said. “This person will be very meaningful to the growth and development of our community.”

        Previously, Fairfield's current planning director handled economic development. The city is one of the last municipalities in the area to get an economic development manager. West Chester, Mason, Middletown, Monroe and Forest Park already have them, among many others. Fairfield didn't fare well last year in attracting businesses as nearby areas boomed.

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