The city of St. Paul has named a new director for its Department of Planning and Economic Development.
Nicolle Goodman comes from Oklahoma, where she was vice president of operations and redevelopment programs for the Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City, a nonprofit contracted by the city to “manage economic development entities, programs and projects.”
In the role, Goodman helped manage a city project aimed at creating inclusive growth and wealth in underserved communities, which encompasses a planned development expected to yield $1 billion in economic impact and nearly 7,000 new jobs, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter’s office said.
Before that, Goodman worked as the program administrator for the city’s MAPS 3 Program, a long-standing initiative funded by a 1 percent sales tax used to fund “transformative improvement projects.” Such projects included a modern streetcar system, a 70-acre downtown park, a new convention and fairgrounds event center, river improvements, senior wellness centers and new sidewalks and trails throughout the city.
Goodman earned her master’s degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma with a concentration in public management.
Last July, Bruce Corrie stepped down as the director of St. Paul’s economic development department, which has since been run by Deputy Director Kristin Guild. Corrie returned to Concordia University, where he is a professor of economics.
“Nicolle Goodman brings an array of economic development experience and a track record of getting things done,” Carter said in a statement. “I am excited to welcome her to Team Saint Paul, to help continue our vital work of building a brighter future for all of us.”