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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">October 10, 2024</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Sydney Olsen
<br />Engagement and Public Communications Manager
<br />City Manager's Office
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.874.7438
<br />Sydney.Olsen@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Economic Development Director and REDI President Stacey Button to retire from the City in Spring of 2025</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Stacey Button, economic development director and president of Regional Economic Development Inc. (REDI), will retire from the City of Columbia in the Spring of 2025 after 10 years of service to the community. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Button began her career in Flagstaff, Arizona, where she worked as director of the Flagstaff Convention and Visitors Bureau before being promoted to the City of Flagstaff’s economic vitality director. In that role she was responsible for department oversight, which included the tourism program, the Flagstaff Airport, business attraction, retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship programs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Button joined the City of Columbia as economic development director and president of REDI in 2015. In this role, she implemented numerous business development projects and initiatives which helped create quality job opportunities and support upward economic mobility for residents in Columbia and Boone County through business attraction, retention/expansion and entrepreneurship programs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Additionally, Button secured new air service opportunities for Columbia Regional Airport (COU), facilitated federal and state grants for COU, and oversaw the construction of the new airport terminal project which opened in October 2022.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"It's been a wonderful honor to serve in this dual role, and I’m incredibly proud of the work of staff during my tenure," Button said. "They are a remarkable team and our community is better because of their dedication and commitment to excellence. As part of the REDI Board of Directors, I’ve worked with numerous community partners and colleagues over the years, and together we’ve accomplished so much. I’m excited to see the great work that the staff and Board will continue to accomplish."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As president of REDI, Button took the organization through accreditation and re-accreditation, most recently in 2024, as part of the International Economic Development Council’s (IEDC) Accredited Economic Development Organization program. REDI is recognized as one of only 83 organizations to have this distinction across the globe. IEDC has more than 5,000 members nationwide and abroad. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"Stacey’s efforts have paved the way for significant economic opportunities and growth in our community. We are thankful for her lasting impact and wish her a fulfilling retirement ahead," said City Manager De’Carlon Seewood. "As we search for her successor, we are committed to finding a candidate who not only shares her passion for economic development but also possesses the skills and vision to continue advancing our community’s financial success."</span></p></div>
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<div class="attachments">This release has the following attachments:<br /><br /><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=3234">Stacey Button headshot</a></div>
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<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
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<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
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