GLOVERSVILLE — Gloversville Downtown Development Specialist Jennifer Jennings is leaving her Fulton County Center for Regional Growth position at the end of the year.
The announcement of her departure after nearly three years with the CRG was made public Tuesday night to the Common Council at City Hall by CRG Board of Directors member Leslie Ford.
Ford said Jennings will be leaving the position at the “end of December.” She told the council that the CRG intends to replace her.
Jennings couldn’t be reached this morning. but CRG President and CEO Ronald Peters said she will be “missed.”
“She has done a fantastic job,” Peters said. “We’re very pleased with her results.”
Peters said Jennings did an excellent job in helping to improve Gloversville, working with artists and business persons, and spearheading several important events in Gloversville, such as the popular Bacon Jam held in the fall in the city.
He said Jennings is “pursuing other opportunities,” but declined to say what those were. He said she is concluding her third year at the CRG, having started in January 2017.
“She’s done a great job,” Peters said.
Her position was created as a joint effort of the CRG, the city of Gloversville and a “handful” of downtown business owners, Peters said. He said the plan is to keep that position viable after Jennings departs. He said the CRG will be actively seeking her replacement.
Jennings was a Montgomery County resident when she was hired in 2016 and started Jan. 3, 2017 in an attempt to revitalize Gloversville. She had admittedly hit the ground running with an ambitious proposed 2017 events calendar for Gloversville that she developed. She has always said she thinks downtown Gloversville can be a culturally-diverse showcase.
Originally from Connecticut, Jennings worked before the CRG as market manager for Schenectady Greenmarket — a place to buy fresh local produce and artisan goods in a festive community atmosphere.
Jennings is a graduate of Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I.
She spent several years in London, where she earned a master’s degree in urbanization and development from the London School of Economics and Political Science. Upon her return to the states, she began a career in farm advocacy and area food systems. She has worked as an outreach consultant for the Agricultural Stewardship Association before moving on to work as a food industry relations associate for the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
