FLINT, MI-- The city’s new director of economic development wants to bring a collaborative approach to strengthening the city’s economy.
Khalfani Stephens, who was hired on Feb. 11, is overseeing the city’s economic development team, which is funded through a nearly $3 million W.K. Kellog Foundation grant.
Stephens will be paid a yearly salary of $115,000, not including benefits. He will be leading the effort to spur Flint’s economy alongside James Durian, an economic planner, and Tonya Burns, a liaison between the department and the community.
The Pontiac native said he enjoys helping cities strengthen their economies.
“I really enjoy working with and helping communities grow as opposed to using my education to help a millionaire make more millions,” Stephens said.
Stephens formerly served as the executive director of Clayton County, Georgia’s development authority. There, he designed a new economic development agency that included policies, procedures and job descriptions.
Stephens also developed a way of keeping businesses in Clayton County, as well as strengthen partnerships with the state of Georgia.
“We ended up landing over $120 million in private investment and more than 1,000 jobs that paid more than 20 percent of the average wage in the county (last year),” Stephens said.
Flint mayor’s adviser, ex-county exec get six-figure salaries to boost city economy
Deal packaging and collaboration are two skills Stephens will bring transferring to his new role. His background in liberal arts has shown him how different parts of a community are connected so he will work with different departments to make sure the city’s headed in the same direction.
“We are here to help raise the overall economic opportunity in our community. You don’t do that in silos,” Stephens said.
Stephens -- who has been in office less than a week -- said his first goal is to understand what’s already happened under his predecessors. Every area is going to present a challenge, like Flint’s water crisis, Stephens said.
Flint has the draw for businesses, Stephens said now it's just matter of explaining its value to others.
“The city of Flint has an amazing opportunity for growth and expansion. It has a regional draw in the workforce. It has the infrastructure, highways leading into it,” Stephens said.
Stephens said he will be immersing himself in the community.
“It’s just a matter of taking everything in that you hear, see the situation that you’re in and then process mapping. You will find the best way to get from A to B,” Stephens said.
Mayor Sheldon Neeley said Stephens is "highly qualified" and comes to the city with a "fresh set of eyes."
“Every so often you need a fresh view on things. Now we’re getting ready to explore economic development in this community,” Neeley said. “He has all the tools necessary to do a really good job.”
Stephens also previously served as the economic development director for Farmington Hills, a business development manager for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and executive director of the Pontiac Growth Group.
While in Pontiac, Stephens developed a plan to open a new apartment building, corner store and 24-hour gym through a $20 million development project.
While at the MEDC, Stephens worked directly with Flint to identify opportunities to retain and expand local businesses. He also provided technical support during the development of the city’s master plan, laid the groundwork for state funding at the Capitol Theatre renovation and implemented the state’s community ventures program to provide job opportunities to local residents.
‘Gray Rock Revival’ aims to boost Flint business with $2.9M Kellogg grant
The $2,957,800 four-year grant through the Kellogg Foundation for an economic development team was announced in 2018. Former Mayor Karen Weaver appointed the following three people using the grant:
- A one-year, $150,000 agreement to hire former Oakland County Deputy Executive Matthew Gibb as a team consultant;
- A four-year $108,000 yearly salary without benefits for Linnette Phillips of the Talent Investment Agency to serve as deputy director of the department;
- A four-year $120,000 yearly salary with fringe benefits for Aonie Gilcreast to serve as Weaver’s chief adviser and outreach development liaison.