Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Jon Chadwell New Director Of Economic Office

Jon Chadwell has been named executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office.

The announcement was made Tuesday, Oct. 12.

John Brannon, president of the Bank of Prescott and on the EDO board of directors, said Chadwell has been working in a similar capacity in Camden the last five years.

Chadwell is married to Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor's youngest daughter, and the family already has found a place to rent in Nevada County.

"He's a dynamic person who will do a good job for us," Brannon said. However, Chadwell won't be assuming his duties in Prescott until Nov. 16.

This is because his contract with Camden has a clause where he is required to give 30 days notice before leaving.

Overall, about a dozen resumes were received by people wanting the job

However, Brannon said, Chadwell already has contacts on the state level as to agencies the EDO deals with. He's worked with the Main Street Arkansas program and knows what needs to be done.

"He's ahead of us in a lot of things," Brannon said. "I'm excited he's coming here."

At this time, Chadwell is the executive director of the Camden EDO, where he does strategic planning, budgeting, membership recruitment, industrial recruitment, retain recruitment, works with Entergy and the Arkansas Department of Economic Development.

He also goes to trade shows, works with existing industry and has been involved with Arkansas Community of Excellence planning for Camden, along with getting the city recertified.

Chadwell obtained his Master of Divinity diploma from Harding University's graduate school of religion, where he majored in the New Testament.

He earned his bachelor's from Harding as well, with a major in Missions.

He has also completed a three-year course from the University of Central Arkansas on community development, as well taking a one year course at the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.