Mitchell retires after 14.5 years as FCDA executive director

On her last day as Franklin County Development Authority Executive Director, Karen Mitchell reflected on what kept her in economic development for 20 years.

“I have a dedication to helping rural communities, which is why I’ve stayed in small towns,” she said. “Although it may be fun to work in a community where economic development happens so frequently, you just simply direct traffic. It is far more rewarding when something special happens and getting a new company in or helping an existing business expand, the jobs that are created… that is all so much more meaningful in a smaller community.”

Mitchell retired last Friday after 14 and a half years with the FCDA. Before that, she worked as the executive director for O’Brien County’s (Iowa) economic development department for six years.

She said she accepted the FCDA job because of the opportunities the region presented and how it embraced growth in its rural communities.

“It’s a great geographic location for opportunity and a greater chance of recruiting companies and attracting workforce,” she said. “I also liked very much the progressive mindset of the county and the organization itself.”

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