Muncie, IN—The Muncie-Delaware County Economic Development Alliance and the Boards of Directors of Delaware Advancement Corporation and the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce that Traci Lutton has been named Vice President, Economic Development. She has been serving in the role on an interim basis since October 2016.
Jay Julian, President/CEO and Chief Economic Development Officer of the Muncie-Delaware County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance led a national candidate search and worked closely with the executive committees of both Boards of Directors on the candidate selection. Applications for the position were received from throughout the United States and multiple rounds of interviews were conducted.
Significant consideration was given to the evolving needs of the organization and the Vision 2021 Economic Development Plan, which took effect in January 2017. With the Vice President position being vacant at the same time, it was a unique opportunity for the Alliance to align the responsibilities of the position with goals of the Plan. Lutton will continue to work on traditional economic development priorities such as new business attraction and the retention and expansion of existing business, but will also have an expanded focus on enhancing Quality of Life and Quality of Place as Economic Development initiatives. Both of these issues were determined to be of the utmost importance during the community’s Vision 2021 planning process.
“Traci has always been a great asset to our organization, and throughout this hiring process, it was affirmed that that she is a collaborative and community-minded economic development professional. She has a passion for improving the community and the technical expertise necessary to implement the Vision 2021 Economic Development Plan and move Muncie-Delaware County in a positive direction.”—Jay Julian
Lutton began work with the Economic Development Alliance in 2005 as a staff person for the Muncie and Delaware County Redevelopment Commissions. Since then, she has held a number of positions within the organization, honing a wide range of experience in the field of economic development including site selection and development services, business retention and expansion, marketing, infrastructure improvements, public finance, and talent attraction. Throughout her time with the organization, she has traveled extensively throughout the country to promote Muncie-Delaware County as a superior business location to private investors, corporations, and site location consultants.
Lutton is a Muncie native and graduate of Ball State University. She has completed the Economic Development Institute through the University of Oklahoma and is an active member of the International Economic Development Council and the Indiana Economic Development Association.
Lutton is an enthusiastic community advocate and serves on the boards of Muncie Action Plan and East Central Indiana Development Council. She has previously served on the boards of Women in Business Unlimited, Muncie Downtown Development Partnership, Muncie Symphony Orchestra, and TEAMWork for Quality Living. In 2014, she was awarded the 20 Under 40 Award by M Magazine and has been a finalist for both The Star Press Person of the Year and Women in Business Unlimited ATHENA Young Professional Award.
