Jaye O’Donnell has been selected as the new director of Mesa’s Office of Economic Development. The office plays a key role in shaping development in Mesa by cultivating business leads and providing input on prospective projects. O’Donnell is familiar with the city's growth vision and has been involved in creating branding initiatives and small business support programs. She has a background in journalism and communications and has previously worked in advertising. O’Donnell emphasizes the importance of balancing efforts to attract international companies with supporting small businesses, as they employ a significant percentage of Mesa's residents. The city hopes that the development of the former Williams Air Force Base, which is partially owned by Arizona State University, will contribute to the growth of Mesa's advanced manufacturing industry. [86f6a34a]
A new Military and Community Relations Office has been established by the Hawaiʻi Department of Business Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT), with Laurie Moore as the executive director and John Greene as the deputy director. The office aims to promote collaboration and transparency between the State of Hawaiʻi, county governments, the community, and the U.S. Department of Defense. It was funded by a $3.2 million grant from the DoD Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation. The office will address military-related issues such as environmental concerns at Red Hill and future land leases to military bases like the Pōhakuloa Training Area. Moore has experience in community engagement and supporting military families, having served as the Armed Services YMCA Hawaii Executive Director. Greene has been serving as the Defense Industry Specialist within the DBEDT Business Development and Support Division and has established the Hawaii Defense Alliance. Both Moore and Greene will begin their new positions on April 1, 2024.