Frank Thompson, Franklin County’s newest economic development director, feels this position “brings together a number of things from my background.”

He was involved in economic development when helping candidates for public office, including former 9th District Congressman Mike Sodrell, and “I worked with a lot of the same people I’m going to work with now.

“This job will not only mean working to bring new business .... but more ways to access grants .... (and) I will be working to expand current businesses to help them find ways to bring more business to our area,” he announces.

After Franklin County Economic Development Commission members hired the Oldenburg resident Dec. 17, his first day on the job was Dec. 21. Thompson went right to work by putting together a list of local, regional and state economic development contacts. He is also beginning to communicate with current area businesses.

“My ultimate goal is to help improve the economic picture for Franklin County .... (and) ultimately want to bring more dollars into the county by helping companies already here to increase their business and help new companies locate here or near here so residents can work there,” the director points out.

“I’ll try to help coordinate and localize the things we already have here .... I’ll be working more closely with the tourism bureau to bring more to the area.”

He believes there are a lot of “great tourism secrets” in Franklin County. He would like to bring more crafters to Metamora and “encourage people to come there for vacation .... see the wonderful artisans at work .... (and) bring dollars into our area.” Oldenburg, with its German heritage, is also “really a wonderful tourism location.”

Southeastern Indiana has “tremendous potential with good folks who already live and work here and have a strong work ethic, which are the kind of people companies are looking for .... We have good transportation .... and the I-74 corridor and Cincinnati airport nearby.”

The father of two daughters and grandfather of four, who is married to state Sen. Jean Leising, admits, “I’d like to see moderate economic growth .... so families can still live in a rural setting and companies can set up in a more rural location, where land costs and taxes are lower” compared to the larger cities.

“We’re in an economic downturn right now, and in every downturn there’s always opportunities.” He hopes companies take advantage of this.

Keith Hall, FCEDC president, reports that Thompson was one of 12 candidates for the position. However, the new director stood out for various reasons: He’s a county resident and “brings with him extensive sales and economic development contacts and other links with leadership in Indiana .... He has a good media relationship with all newspapers and lots of knowledge about Franklin County.”

During his interview, Thompson also had “a list of opportunities and recommendations for us to work on.”

Hall adds, “We were trying to find an individual who wanted to stay .... (and) not use it as a stepping-stone for another job.”

Thompson’s salary for the full-time position (32.5 hours a week) will be $40,000 annually, the president reveals.

Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.