CPED Business Specialist bei City of Kalamazoo, MI

About the Department

The Business Specialist coordinates a network of consultants, cannabis stakeholders, downtown stakeholders, and entrepreneurship support organizations to enhance engagement and advance the City’s mission of shared economic prosperity. This role oversees key economic development initiatives, regulatory compliance, stakeholder collaboration, and business support. The Business Specialist reports directly to the Economic Development Supervisor. 

Position Duties

A qualified individual with a disability must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Assist in advancing economic development initiatives, and the Implementation of the Economic Development Strategy.
• Develop and execute business retention and expansion efforts to support existing businesses and encourage growth.
• Conduct outreach to assess business needs and identify expansion or relocation opportunities.
• Facilitate small business financing, entrepreneurship support, and cannabis development reviews.
• Process Social District permit applications and Redevelopment Liquor License applications in collaboration with the Downtown Coordinator and the City Clerk’s Office.
• Support women- and minority-owned businesses with culturally responsive programs.
• Assist entrepreneurs and developers with applications, site plan reviews, and licensing.
• Track and evaluate programs to ensure compliance, facilitate community input, and measure impact.
• developingandpreparingacomprehensiveeconomicdevelopmentplanfortheCityofKalamazoo.

• Oversee the Social Equity Cannabis Chamber’s initiatives, budget, contracts, and programs. 
• Plan and implement medical and adult-use cannabis policies.
• Conduct inspections of licensed facilities to enforce compliance with regulations and social equity commitments.
• Coordinate interdepartmental meetings to address regulatory issues.
• Serve as a liaison with state and federal agencies on cannabis policy.

• Prepare agendas for City Commission board reviews.
• Develop and enforce policies for City ordinances.
• Track regulatory trends and best practices to inform City policies.
• Present reports to the City Commission and committees.
• Represent the City at community meetings, press events, and conferences.

• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Lead collaborations with residents, downtown organizations, and business owners.
• Represent the City’s downtown and cannabis programs at public meetings and events.
• Organize special events that support economic development and small business growth.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Planning, Resource Management, Urban/City Planning or a related field is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in urban development, municipal planning or related field.
• Strong, clear communicator and excellent interpersonal skills; proven ability to effectively and positively communicate with the public and all levels within the organization.
• Ability to present facts and negotiate/persuade others.
• Demonstrates a sense of urgency, prioritizes well, shows energy, responds to opportunities, instills urgency in others, and meets deadlines.
• Previous experience with preparing reports, researching information, gathering, analyzing and interpreting data.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking and skills.

Other Qualifications

The City of Kalamazoo is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive organization where different perspectives and experiences are welcomed and encouraged.  Studies have shown that women and people of color, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications listed. The City of Kalamazoo is most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one from a less traditional background. If you have transferable experience, please tell us about it. This approach will give each current and potential employee the opportunity to learn, grow and contribute to the City of Kalamazoo.