Tom Dodds has resigned from his position as CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. (EDC), effective immediately.
Dodds resigned one day after a July 31 meeting during which city council voted to reduce the EDC’s budget by more than $400,000 and restructure the city’s approach to economic development.
“On behalf of the board of directors, I send my sincere thanks to Tom for his years of service in advancing our community,” said Robert Reid, president and board chair of the Sault EDC, in a release.
“Tom is a consummate professional who dedicated more than 30 years to the economic development field, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavours.”
Dodds joined the EDC as CEO in 2011.
“I have been fortunate to work in a profession, in a community and amongst people I love,” Dodds said in the release.
“It has been a privilege to have an exceptional team of staff and a dedicated volunteer board of directors, all of whom do their very best to serve our city. This is a very challenging time for our municipality, yet I am optimistic about the future because of the outstanding people we have throughout this community.”
In the release, the EDC said the CEO position would not be filled. Instead, the management team will answer directly to the board of directors.
The EDC said it would work with the city and the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre to “establish a new framework and accountability agreement that will focus collective efforts and chart the future of economic development in the community.”
