The Jasper Economic Development Corporation board voted 9 to 1 on Thursday, Oct. 8, to hire its former executive director, Eddie Hopkins, as a consultant to find a new executive director and attract new businesses to Jasper. The contract pays Hopkins $7,500 a month plus up to $500 a month in expenses and mileage when he is on JEDCO business.
Hopkins currently serves as Economic Development Coordinator for the Deep East Texas Council of Governments in Lufkin. JEDCO is the city of Jasper’s sales-tax-funded economic development corporation.
In a separate vote the same evening, the JEDCO board unanimously agreed to bring the Jasper Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce back to the JEDCO Welcome Center. The Chamber will pay $750 a month in rent and help staff the Welcome Center front desk, especially until JEDCO fills its open positions.
Sources: KJAS (consultant contract), KJAS (Chamber at Welcome Center), Jasper EDC.