Mentor Makes Way For New Trade Administrator Position

State and federal funding exists for firms looking to boost their exports, but many businesses know little about how to obtain it. City departments don't know much more either, which is why they want to bring on a new position, international trade coordinator.

Mentor officials have nobody in mind to fill the position yet, but city council approved an alteration to the municipal code earlier this month to make way for it. City Manager Ken Filipiak described the position as one that would "marry together businesses with resources that are available, tapping into those and bringing them directly into the community."

"Work involves responsibility for planning, researching, promoting, coordinating and directly assisting economic development activity in the city with an emphasis on business expansion into international export markets and foreign business investment and attraction," the city's job description reads. "A particular emphasis is placed on manufacturing."

The position's pay grade range is from $62,245 to $87,734, depending on qualifications, Assistant City Manager Tony Zampedro said. Appropriations have already been made in the 2013 budget for the hire.

"There's a lack of understanding how to better access markets," Filipiak said. "(Businesses) can have someone locally to parlay local investments from Mentor along with state and federal funding to help medium-sized companies to become larger. 

"We certainly think it's worth an investment and trial period."

The city did not set a timeline for filling the position.

"It might be tough to fill, but we're committed to it," Filipiak said.

City Council also approved a switch in the municipal code that changes the grant coordinator from part-time to full-time status. Abe Bruckman is currently in that position.