NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — David Sotelo, the city's new Director of Strategic Growth, spoke at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
"I'm really excited about this position," Sotelo said. "I talked to a few folks already about this, but I've been pretty vocal about what my personal mission around the Human Relations Officer job was, which is making a Hutchinson where everyone belongs and thrives. I think that the job changes, but the role remains the same."
Director of Strategic Growth is a newly established position aimed at fostering sustainable growth, economic development, and community enhancement.
"I'm really excited to really be a good partner, to learn how we can engage our community on our growth, to ensure equitable growth for our community, whether that's the Downtown Master Plan, whether that's housing, figuring out how we fill the infill lots that the Land Bank owns, energizing the strategies of the housing commission, partnering with our downtown partners. There's all sorts of different projects that are happening. Mary Grace just keeps all of us on our toes. I'm really excited to be part of that and to be a service of our community. I love Hutchinson."
Sotelo will provide direction to internal teams including the Human Relations Office, communications, and a housing coordinator.
"We're unfinished, but we also need to be unafraid and be courageous about moving forward," Sotelo said. "There was a comment on the announcement a few days back from a gentleman who said, Hutchinson has more problems than this guy can fix. I think that's true, but I'm excited to take a stab at it and make progress for the good of all of our community."
The city is now looking for people to fill the roles Sotelo will oversee. For more information, go to hutchgov.com.
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