9/29/11 Marshall County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) announces the addition of Derek Spier, AICP, as an Economic Development Specialist. In this position, he will assist in countywide economic development efforts including research, marketing, and grant writing for business expansion, retention and attraction.
“We welcome Derek and look forward to introducing him as an additional resource to our Marshall County communities,” said Jennifer Laurent, MCEDC Executive Director. “His experience with site development processes will be an asset in making potential projects a reality, whether through advising in technical infrastructure planning or working directly with businesses on plans to grow here in Marshall County.”
Over the last 13 years, Spier has been employed in both the public and private sectors in the local area. Most recently he was a planner with the St. Joseph County Area Plan Commission, where he was responsible for reviewing subdivisions, site plans, and variance petitions, and preparing and presenting staff reports to various commissions and boards. From 2000 to 2009, he was employed with Abonmarche Consultants, LLC and was responsible for administering the approval process for residential and commercial development projects. Other responsibilities included subdivision and site design, environmental permitting such as soil erosion and pollution prevention plans, wetland permitting, and NEPA permitting, and land use studies and comprehensive plans. From 1998 to 2000, he was with the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), where he assisted in community education, website design and maintenance, census planning activities, grant writing and research, and transportation and environmental planning.
Spier is a certified urban planner and has received Bachelor’s Degrees in Urban Planning and Development and in Environmental Design with Minors in Business and Sociology from Ball State University. He is married to Amy Spier, an elementary school teacher with the Elkhart Community School Corporation.
