New LEDP leader excited to return to Longmont

Erin Fosdick, former city of Longmont planner, has been selected as the new executive director of Longmont Economic Development Partnership.

Fosdick served as a Longmont city planner for 17 years before moving onto a similar role for the town of Erie. She longed to return to Longmont and when she found the position she decided to go for it. 

“I really missed Longmont and all the really great work that was happening in the city, so when this opportunity came it felt like a great fit,” Fosdick said.

Over the past decades, Fosdick’s focus has been on strategic planning and community development. She believes these skills align well with LEDP’s goals for local economic planning and growth. 

“Certainly there are going to be things I need to learn,” she said. “But I think my experience in planning, especially strategic planning, set me up well for success here.”

LEDP is part of a public-private partnership. Some of the problems the organization faces are problems the city of Longmont also faces. 

“EDP does that (approaches economic development) a little be differently. We have a people-first approach, and we really think about who of our partners can be at the table and positively impact whatever it is that we’re trying to impact,” Fosdick said. “That notion of collective impact, that notion of us working with the city, with the school district, with the DDA, the chamber and others is really pretty unique, and I am excited to get to contribute to that.”

Fosdick is planning a strategic approach for easing into the new position. Her initial plans are to understand where the organization currently stands and to learn what is or is not working. She hopes to be able to build upon the things that are working in order to grow the economic development organization and the Longmont community. 

Fosdick feels that her previous experience and knowledge of city code, neighborhood and corridors gives her a new perspective businesses working with LEDP will appreciate. That experience will allow her to guide those businesses through the city’s processes and bring a creative perspective for achieving their goals. 

 “Coming back to a community that I know and love so much is really exciting,” she said.