Jeff Lankford, the Downtown Development Director for the Easton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), will be stepping down from the organization after accepting a new position at the Easton Airport. His last day with EEDC is Friday, March 12. Jeff has been leading downtown development initiatives since joining EEDC in November of 2020 after moving over from the Easton Business Alliance, where he was Marketing and Events Coordinator.
During the holiday season, Jeff helped launch the Downtown Easton Card which saw over $7,000 in purchases that supported downtown merchants. He worked immediately with EEDC’s Downtown Development Committee and local organizations, like Talbot Interfaith Shelter and Hummingbird Inn, supporting their Home for the Holidays event. The committee also assisted First Night Talbot’s transition to a virtual event this year and set up Valentine’s Day Carriage Rides for couples and families to enjoy.
“I’m proud of how quickly we launched programs and supported socially distanced community events after I came over,” Jeff Lankford said. “Our Downtown Committee has worked hard the past few months to put together a solid game plan for events, marketing, and community engagement that is ready to go as soon as the pandemic allows larger gatherings.”
EEDC is moving quickly to find Jeff’s replacement, so the plans laid out by the committee can move forward seamlessly. EEDC Board Treasurer and Downtown Development Committee Chairman Tony Kern said it would be difficult to replace Jeff, but the work will continue.
“A big part of the job is getting to know the merchants downtown and acting as the glue to pull things together, whether it happens to be events and sponsorships or different programs,” Kern said. “We’re going to need to move quickly. Everything we do downtown is so critical and so important to the vitality of the town.”
EEDC has posted a job description and application online, and those interested can also apply here.
EEDC’s Downtown Development plan and February update here.
