Lisa Hutson named director of ONE Lorain County economic development effort

The Board of ONE Lorain County recently announced that Lisa Hutson has been selected to lead the newly formed nonprofit countywide economic development organization. ONE Lorain County's mission is to encourage economic growth and prosperity in Lorain County in coordination with other economic development organizations, public sector leaders and philanthropic organizations, it said in a news release. Hutson will be charged "with executing an integrated economic development strategy focused on driving traded sector industry growth by engaging companies about their plans for business investment and growth opportunities in Lorain County," according to the news release announcing her directorship. She expects to begin her new role on Oct. 16. "ONE Lorain County will seek opportunities to leverage existing resources and the expertise of civic leaders in order to best position Lorain County as a prime location for corporations, businesses and entrepreneurs to thrive," the news release said. It is a startup organization formed as a public private partnership "with the impetus of driving economic growth in Lorain County. Financial support for the organization has come from our local governments, private businesses, organizations, educational entities and the philanthropic community," the news release said. A list of local governments, private businesses, organizations, educational entities and philanthropic groups contributing financial support was not included. In her 25-year career, Hutson has demonstrated her ability to help business owners grow their customer base, expand their entrepreneurial ventures, invest in their employees and become vital community partners, according to ONE Lorain County. Hutson has served as the director of the Small Business Development Center at Lorain County Community College since 2015. Prior to that, she worked for a variety of banks in the business banking realm of financial services. "The Board and Hiring Committee of ONE Lorain County has been deliberate and patient in the search for the director of this new public-private partnership," Vice Chairman Philip Amos said in a news release. "Lisa stood out among the many candidates that we interviewed because she knows and has worked with Lorain County businesses. Her experience and connections with the business community will help us achieve the goals and objectives for economic development and ultimately make ONE Lorain County succeed in our efforts." "Lisa's proven ability to develop relationships, initiate partnerships, communicate progress and work together toward common goals will be extremely helpful in this new economic development role," ONE Lorain County Chairman Kevin Knight said. "The importance of having ONE Lorain County move forward with an integrated economic development strategy cannot be overemphasized, especially now given the transformative economic development occurring in Ohio as it positions itself as the Silicon Heartland," Amos said. "The timing couldn't be any better for us to be at the table for what Lorain County can offer to strengthen this goal for our county, our region and our state." Hutson sits on the board of the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce; is vice chair for the Lorain County Workforce Development Board; president of Elyria Sunrise Rotary; and board member for the Elyria Community Partnership and Oberlin Community Land Trust. Hutson has a bachelor's degree in political science from Alma College in Michigan, an MBA from Lake Erie College and expects to complete her certified economic developer degree in winter 2024.