Bruce Fountain has joined the Sarpy County Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC) as director, business development. In this position, his responsibilities include the creation of new jobs and attraction of capital investment through the recruitment of new business and industry or the expansion of existing companies. His primary focus will be to work with existing Sarpy County businesses and create new development opportunities. He reports to Toby Churchill, executive director, SCEDC.
Fountain specializes in economic development planning and implementation. He has assisted with numerous public and private development projects in the areas of feasibility studies, financing, land assemblage, scheduling and permit approvals.
SCEDC is part of the Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership, which is a program of the Greater Omaha Chamber. Four counties, Douglas, Cass, Sarpy and Washington, are part of the partnership that provides seamless regional economic development services.
"Bruce's vast experience has prepared him well for this role," said Churchill. "His skill set complements those of the existing Partnership team."
Prior to joining the SCEDC in November 2009, he held the position of manager of planning and economic development for Schemmer Associates, an Omaha based architecture, engineering and planning consultant. His career experiences previous to Schemmer included serving as regional manager for ALDI, Inc.; economic development director and interim president for the Olathe, Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce; project manager for the City Manager's Office of Economic Development for the city of Des Moines; and assistant planning director for the city of Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Fountain is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) and is also certified as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) by the National Development Council. He has been active in the Nebraska Planning and Zoning Association, serving on the Board of Directors as chairman of the Metro District. He has also served as a member of the Olathe, Kan., Planning Commission and the Gretna, Neb., city council.
Fountain has a bachelor's degree in community and regional planning with an emphasis in economic development from Iowa State University, and a master's degree in public administration from Drake University.
His office will be at the Greater Omaha Chamber downtown office, 1301 Harney St. He can be reached at (402) 978-7947 or bfountain@selectgreateromaha.com.