Puyallup hires former Tacoma planning commissioner to oversee downtown economic development
The city of Puyallup has hired an economic development manager.
The newly created position will be in the Development Services Department and pay up to $124,244 annually.
The City Council added the position hoping to spur business and residential growth. Four other new positions approved this year were in the police department.
Meredith Neal has been hired for the job. She began Jan. 2. Neal is formerly the director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber’s Manufacturing Industrial Council and a planning commissioner for the City of Tacoma.
Neal will look to roll out the council-approved downtown growth plan, which focuses on building multifamily affordable housing to attract more retail, coffee shops and businesses. Most of the plan focuses on neighborhoods less than a 10-minute walk to the Sounder train station.
The job description includes tasks like following economic trends, overseeing events with developers and securing grants.
Neal has experience in resource management and in implementing policies that advance positive economic conditions, the City of Puyallup said in a statement.
“I look forward to collaborating with everyone who is interested in helping build the strategic partnerships we need to assess what can be improved on, and taking action to move us all forward,” Neal said.
Neal ran in 2017 for Tacoma City Council. She has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Antioch University and a bachelor’s degree in urban planning and community development from The Evergreen State College.
