Anniston hires economic developer

Eric Basinger

The city of Anniston has hired its first in-house economic developer to lure more retail and jobs to the area.  Eric Basinger, executive director of the Ozark-Dale County Economic Development Corporation, told his board last week that he was resigning to take and economic developer position with Anniston. His announcement ends a search that Anniston began last year to find an in-house consultant to help lure more business to the city.  Anniston officials have declined to comment or confirm the hiring.  Basinger told his board that he will continu
e working his current job through August.
Basinger's main job will be to help revitalize the city by bringing in retail and commercial business, creating jobs and tax revenue in the process. The City had  vetted eight candidates in recent months, noting that none of them sought out the job.