12/10/2008 - NEWS RELEASE
City of Portland
389 Congress Street
Portland, Maine 04101
www.portlandmaine.gov
CONTACT: Nicole Clegg, 207-756-8173, 207-272-4477 (cell) nicoleclegg@portlandmaine.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 10, 2008
Greg Mitchell Named Economic Development Director for Portland
With more than two decades of experience, Mitchell brings skilled leadership to the City.

PORTLAND, Maine – Today, Portland City Manager, Joe Gray, announced the hiring of Greg Mitchell as the city’s Economic Development Director. Mitchell has more than twenty years of experience working with municipalities and businesses to support community economic growth. Most recently, he served as Economic Development Consultant at Eaton Peabody Consulting Group. While with Eaton Peabody, he forged public-private partnerships associated with downtown mill redevelopment projects in Augusta, Biddeford and Waterville, business park projects, large scale wind farm projects and served on a consultant team to prepare the Brunswick Naval Air Station Base Reuse Master Plan.

“I am very excited to have Greg join the city’s economic development team,” stated City Manager, Joe Gray. “He brings a wealth of knowledge with the perfect combination of private and public sector experience. During difficult economic times like these, we need strong competent leaders to bring new and retain existing development projects for the city.” Prior to joining Eaton Peabody, Mitchell served as Assistant City Administrator for Economic Development, for the City of Lewiston and as the Executive Director of the Mid-Coast Council for Business Development in Brunswick. During his tenure, he is credited with attracting the Wal-Mart Grocery Distribution Center to Lewiston, Lewiston’s Southern Gateway development project which includes Oxford Network’s headquarters and the Bates Mill redevelopment project which is the centerpiece of the city’s downtown revitalization.

“With Greg on board, we will be able to focus our resources on important economic development projects within the city such as the Bayside redevelopment, construction of the Portland Technology Park, the rehabilitation of the Maine State Pier and the creative economy enterprise,” continued Gray. “Greg will also be charged with leading regional economic development efforts in keeping with the Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce’s initiative.”

Mitchell earned his Bachelors in Business Administration from Norwich University and Bachelors of Arts in economics from the Florida Atlantic University as well as completed course work for a Master of Arts in economics from the same university. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Council of Maine and the Maine Real Estate and Development Association. Mitchell lives will his wife and two sons in Yarmouth. “I am looking forward to returning to public service which is my first love,” stated Mitchell. “I have a passion for what economic growth can mean to a community.” This year, the Economic Development Department was reorganized to report directly to the City Manager’s Office with the goal of enhancing the City’s integrated approach to economic development and to, ultimately, make the city’s efforts more strategic. With the City Manager’s backing, the Economic Development Director will have the stature to marshal the necessary resources to ensure a coordinated responsive approach. The reorganization will advance the city’s efforts to clearly communicate its economic development vision and engage elected officials and citizens alike in meaningful dialogue regarding the City’s economic development priorities. ###

Nicole Clegg
Director of Communications
City of Portland
389 Congress Street, Room 208
Portland, ME 04101
office: 207-756-8173
cell: 207-272-4477