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New economic development boss looks to �sell� Medford By Jessica Smith The city of Medford is expecting a lot from Bill Hoke. The 49-year-old, who started Friday as the city�s first economic development coordinator, will be responsible for helping existing companies expand and bringing new industries to the region. "We need to get the right businesses in the right spot at the right time," said Hoke, who most recently directed economic development efforts in Kingman, Ariz. "Part of it is luck, but mostly it�s figuring out the right industry for the area." Working in Kingman since 1996, Hoke helped 11 companies set up shop and another seven expand in the high-desert town�s industrial park. He also helped bring seven retail shops, a call center and a manufacturing outfit to Kingman. Hoke�s success in Kingman and his work within the private and public arenas are what attracted City Manager Michael Dyal�s attention. "He had a regional responsibility in that job, which is good experience since he�ll be coming here to work with the city, county and other groups," Dyal said. "It�s a group effort here as well." For the better part of a year, the city looked for an economic coordinator. A national search yielded more than 80 applicants but a headhunter found Hoke. City leaders created the position to add an expert representing Medford in dealings with regional efforts such as Southern Oregon Regional Economic Development Inc., a nonprofit formed in the 1980s to bolster the area�s economy. "We don�t have anyone in the city who has the time to focus on these activities, so they have largely gone undone," Dyal said. Hoke, who hunted locally for a house this week with his wife, Judy, said he plans to immerse himself in the city�s business dealings to learn about existing industries and future needs. The challenge in Medford will be finding the city�s niche � "the one thing the city does better than anybody else," Hoke said. After that, it�s a matter of learning how to "sell" the city to prospective businesses and encourage existing companies to make the most of their operation, he added. "There�s no reason why we can�t be a success," Hoke said. "I just don�t see why we can�t." Obituaries | Sports | Business | Classifieds | Tempo | Prime Times | So Oregon Sites | Outdoor Journal | Subscribe | Contact | Movies | Advertise | Real Estate Showcase | Archive | Editorials | Letters to the editor | Religion | Wake-up Call | NIE | Cyber Chef | Job Network | So Oregon Weather | WSJ Northwest | Forums | AP Wire | AP Money | F.A.Q. | Awards Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. The Community Newspaper Subsidiary of Dow Jones & Co, Inc Copyright �The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA