Media Release

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL – Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid is pleased to announce his hiring of Edgar Palafox to the position of Economic Development Coordinator.  He will begin on October 17, 2011.  The position pays an annual salary of $60,000.00.

Mr. Palafox comes to Alachua County from El Paso, Texas where he served as a Senior Economic Development Specialist for the City of El Paso.  He attended the University of Arizona where he received a Bachelor’s degree with a double major in Entrepreneurship and Economics.  In addition to extensive economic development experience, he has experience in marketing and attraction strategies, research and grants, incentive programs, and green energy specialization.   

“There is a renewed spirit of innovation spreading through Alachua County these days,” commented Alachua County Manager Randall H. Reid.  “With the hiring of Mr. Palafox we now have someone waking up each morning whose whole focus is economic development and job creation.”

Reid added, “Mr. Palafox will be able to assist our smaller municipalities and businesses in identifying opportunities for economic expansion, promote county industrial areas, and explain our internal county processes.  I am confident he will fit well within the collaborative effort here in Alachua County among partners focused on making our community ready for economic recovery through innovation, workforce development, and business retention.”

One of the partners Reid spoke of is the Gainesville area Chamber of Commerce/Council for Economic Outreach, which participated in the interview process for the position.

“We’re excited that Alachua County has taken an aggressive step for business by bringing the economic development coordinator position on board,” said Brent Christensen, President, and CEO of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce and Council for Economic Outreach.  “We look forward to a continued strong relationship with County staff by growing and nurturing our area businesses and industries.”

For more information, call the Alachua County Manager’s Office at 352-374-5204.