Summerville, South Carolina
January 29, 2013 – Jon Baggett, Director for Dorchester County Economic
Development, has been selected as a winner in the economic development
profession’s "40 Under 40" awards, the first-ever awards program recognizing
young talent in the economic development profession.
A five-member selection committee chose the winners from
a pool of more than 150 candidates based on their exceptional contributions to
the economic development industry. The
award’s program was managed by Development Counsellors International (DCI), a
New York-based firm that specializes in economic development
marketing.
"We are pleased that one of Dorchester County’s own is
being recognized and honored nationally for this prestigious award," said
Dorchester County Council Chairman Bill Hearn. "It is clear that Jon’s achievements in his career and leadership
abilities portray examples of good economic development principles, and we are
proud to share with him in his success."
"I am proud of Jon’s accomplishment," said Jason Ward, Dorchester
County Administrator. "Jon is an
integral part of a team of managers who have positioned Dorchester County and
its businesses and industries to prosper."
Jon Baggett graduated from Presbyterian College in 1999,
and went on to obtain his master’s degree in 2004 from the University of South
Carolina. With
a background in Community Development from the South Carolina Department of
Commerce, and in his current economic development role for the past five years,
he has gained experience over the state, regional, and local levels.
As the Director of Economic Development for Dorchester
County, Mr. Baggett’s primary scope of responsibility consists of product
development and infrastructure prioritization that have included the
development of both the County’s first certified site and Class-A industrial
park. In addition to prospect activity,
other duties include overseeing workforce development initiatives, retail
recruitment, and business partnerships. Under his direction, $200 million in capital investment and over 650
jobs were announced in 2010, and in 2011, Dorchester County experienced a
record year with an investment of nearly $300 million and 176 new jobs.
Mr. Baggett is also recognized as a Certified Economic
Development Finance Professional by the National Development Council, as well
as a South Carolina Certified Economic Developer by the South Carolina Economic
Developers’ Association (SCEDA). He is
also a member of the International Economic Development Council, SCEDA, and the
Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC).
He currently serves as a member of the Trident Workforce Investment
Board.
DCI’s "40 Under 40" award was designed to discover the
economic development profession’s rising stars.
"The people chosen by the selection committee represent a
bright future for the economic development world," said Andy Levine, president
of DCI. "They are a new breed of
results-driven, place makers. We’re very pleased to see Jon Baggett among
the winners."
DCI officially announced the winners on January 27, 2013,
at an awards reception during the International Economic Development Council
Leadership Summit in Orlando, Florida, and will feature an in-depth profile of
each on its website during 2013.
For more information on DCI’s "40 Under 40"
winners, visit www.aboutdci.com/40under40.
About Dorchester
County Economic Development
Dorchester
County Economic Development is the organization responsible for growing and
retaining business in the County. Its
mission is to work to create and support an environment that welcomes business,
and helps companies to grow and succeed over the long-term. This ultimately will increase the standard of
living for all of Dorchester Countys citizens by providing more job
opportunities with higher skills and better wages.
About DCI
Considered
the leader in marketing places, Development Counsellors International (DCI)
specializes in economic development and tourism marketing. The agency has
worked for more than 400 cities, regions, states, and countries since it was
established in New York City in 1960. For more information, visit www.aboutdci.com.
