By RICK KRON
Leader staff writer
After just nine months on the job, Sherwood Economic Development Director Donnie Crain is gone and the position is open.
He took a job at the beginning of October as chamber director in Grove, Okla.
According to a Grove newspaper re-port, Crain moved to Grove for a combination of “personal and professional” factors.
Besides his usual duties in Sherwood, Crain was working as co-chairman of the group trying to bring “alcohol by the drink to Sherwood and Jacksonville. Sherwood is 50 percent dry, and Jacksonville is 90 percent dry.
Marcia Cook, the executive director of the Sherwood chamber, said the city has advertised for a new economic director and has a number of résumés to review now.
When Crain assumed his Sherwood role in January, Cook said, “We’re pleased to an-nounce that Mr. Donnie Crain has accepted the offer for the position of Sherwood economic development director. Donnie’s background in economic development and public administration makes him an ideal candidate to continue the growth and development of our city.”
On Thursday, she said the chamber and city were happy with his work here, and she wasn’t sure what the impetus was that spawned his decision to leave. “But we wish him the best,” she said.
Crain came to Sherwood from Mena, where he was marketing and festival coordinator for the advertising and promotion commission.
Crain started his new job in Grove on Oct. 2. He told a newspaper there moving to Grove is exciting, because he believes the community will continue to grow.
“I think Grove will be a place I’ll be able to come in with my experience and be a great asset to help the community continue to move forward,” Crain said. “I’m looking forward to living here and becoming part of the community.”
His wife and 12-year-old son, who still live in Lonoke, will move to Grove at the end of the fall semester.