MOUNT VERNON — After six years with the Knox County Area Development Foundation, President Jeff Gottke is leaving to become economic development director for the City of Gahanna.
“It is gratifying to hear from dozens of people who emailed, called, and dropped by the office to offer well wishes,” Gottke said.
“Thank you to the community, the ADF Board, and all the groups we work with for their support over the years.”
Gottke joined the ADF in 2018 and took on the role of president in 2020.
What he enjoyed most during his tenure was working in his hometown with people he had known for decades to make it a better place.
“We talk about that collaboration of Knox County and how we work together. That’s not just saying that. That’s real,” he said.
Gottke is most proud of the work the Knox County Land Bank has accomplished.
As the first full-time staff member at ADF, Gottke laid the foundation for the land bank, organizing and making it operational.
“We started with properties on the auditor’s list that nobody wanted, selling $100- to $300-dollar side lots to neighbors, to multi-million dollar projects like Heartland Commerce Park and large grants the land bank was able to secure for a variety of benefits,” he said.
“That’s something you can drive around town and see the results of.”
He cited a burned Newark Road house that someone bought and repaired, and the blighted and condemned buildings torn down, as examples.
Building momentum: Area Development Foundation’s growth
An intangible accomplishment Gottke is proud of is seeing the villages complete their strategic plans. He also noted that Together Knox, the updated county comprehensive plan, is nearing the end of its process.
“That brings people together to work together around a common vision, but it also sets us up to optimize growth,” he said.
“That’s the long-term play. We will be realizing the benefit of those planning initiatives for years.”
Gottke said the foundation is much more mature than it was in 2020.
“Jeff Harris did a great job crafting the vision and putting it into motion. I picked up and continued the momentum,” he said.
“Work Dev is much more of a presence in the community and doing its own programming. The ADF is taking on the role of business advisor and is now in the room with businesses and schools to have conversations about what those students need.”
Other milestones include creating the career navigator and downtown Experience coordinator positions.
“What the foundation has been able to do in the last five years is broaden its reach and deepen its services,” Gottke said.
Expanded services include helping government and businesses build capacity through New Community Authority and Community Reinvestment Area programs.
The business loan fund has reached $2 million, and the ADF has secured multiple state grants.
“So much of what we do is building capacity, so that’s exciting to see businesses increase employees and the government start to understand development principles and develop strategies to make the most of it,” Gottke said.
Another proud accomplishment is hiring Sam Filkins and Julie Greenich-Suggs.
“They are quick studies with high standards and endless capabilities,” Gottke said.
A new chapter
Gottke’s last day is April 18. He will commute to Gahanna and plans to stay involved in the Knox County community.
The ADF board’s executive committee is searching for his successor. ADF Vice President Sam Filkins will assume the role in the interim.
“One of the first thing we did was talk with Sam and see if he was willing to take on the interim role to maintain continuity of leadership,” said Bruce White, ADF board chair and CEO of Knox Community Hospital.
“Of utmost concern is the continuity of leadership. We feel very good with Sam in that role.”
White said the board was disappointed to learn Gottke was leaving. However, he noted, “When you have good people, they have options.”
“Jeff has done a phenomenal job at the Area Development Foundation, and we are pleased and proud. The foundation flourished under his leadership.”
Bruce White, ADF board chair and ceo of knox community hospital
White said the ADF has done much good work with Heartland Commerce Park and other activities.
Perhaps most significant is establishing community relationships.
“It’s just been extremely productive and positive for the community, and our focus is on continuing that tradition,” White said. “Partnerships make this community special.”
The executive committee will meet with the full ADF board by April 30.