Demuth wants to bring in new, help established businesses in Greenwood
June 15, 2010
By CHRIS TRAINOR/ ctrainor@indexjournal.com
Bringing in new businesses and helping previously established businesses.
In economic development, that’s the name of the game.
In Greenwood, Bill Demuth is looking to bolster both aspects.
Demuth recently joined Greenwood economic development firm Partnership Alliance as the organization’s director of new business. Demuth joins Partnership after a long stint working in economic development in Iowa.
Demuth said he will have a number of roles with Partnership.
“My role here in Greenwood County is to recruit business to the area, but at the same time never lose sight of what is already here,” Demuth said. “It is a lot easier to keep someone than recruit someone. When I refer to recruiting, it’s not just me doing the recruiting. It’s the Partnership Alliance, it’s the community and it’s the county. All of those that are here, because that is what gets evaluated.”
Demuth has been in economic development for about 21 years. He is a native of Iowa and said he “grew up on a farm.” He worked at the Iowa Department of Economic Development from 1989 until he recently joined the Partnership.
When working with the Iowa firm, his role was in project management and he often worked with existing industries, recruited companies from across the nation and also worked on insurance development initiatives, among other tasks.
Demuth said his role in Iowa will translate well to his new job in Greenwood.
“I saw (Partnership) wasn’t looking for someone to run the organization, they were looking for someone to do the business recruitment and work with existing business,” he said. “I’m very comfortable in that role.”
Demuth said, as he was investigating a move to Greenwood, he was impressed with the county’s industrial growth, population growth and proximity to mountains and oceans. He said he also was greatly impressed with the Greenwood Genetic Center and its campus, as well as the local medical community.
“I said to myself in the beginning, ‘I’m not going to go someplace that I know I can’t either turn it around or sell it,’” Demuth said.
