Fran Iusi started her career as a temporary account clerk at Niagara Falls City Hall.
Exactly 33 years later, she spent her first day back Monday as the city’s new director of business development.
Iusi, who also served four years on the City Council and has more than 25 years of management experience, was appointed to the $55,000 annual position by her former council colleague Mayor Paul Dyster. While the position has been redefined in recent weeks, Iusi is replacing former NFC Director Ralph Aversa, who retired in April.
“Fran has many years of experience in all of the right fields,” Dyster said after introducing Iusi to the council at Monday’s worksession. “She’s going to do a really good job for us.”
As director of business development, Iusi will be responsible for NFC Development Corp. and the Niagara Falls Urban Renewal Agency, will coordinate the Empire Zone and renewal community activities and will administer business development loans through NFC, the city’s Community Development Department or from city casino revenues. The position had fallen under the jurisdiction of the URA and NFC, but councilmembers approved switching it to a city position earlier this month.
“It will allow for greater accountability,” Dyster said.
Iusi will also oversee the city’s Entrepreneurial School for potential business owners, which has secured funding for a second year.
She earned an accounting degree from Niagara County Community College and a bachelor of science degree in commerce and management from Niagara University. She also has post-graduate work in banking.
Her experience includes working in the accounting area for Tops Markets for 14 years and most recently as a sales analysis of a local manufacturing consultant.
Iusi said it was strange returning to City Hall as a full-time employee after three decades, but she’s glad to be back and optimistic about extending the city’s portfolio of loans to assist business, both large and small.
“I think in the past we’ve had trouble attracting the larger business so we’ve focused more on mom-and-pop businesses,” she said. “But no matter what size it is, business is business — the important thing is they’re creating jobs.”
Local News
CITY COUNCIL: Familiar face returns to City Hall
Ex-Councilwoman Fran Iusi named biz development director
- Local News
-
-
Legislation protecting Falls air base units moves forward
The effort to protect jobs at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station got a boost from a committee in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.
-
Korean student robbed at gunpoint in Falls
Detectives are investigating the robbery of a 25-year-old woman Wednesday night in front of a motel in the 400 block of Main Street.
-
Davis will not seek Murphy removal
Lawyers for accused killer Matthew “Bones” Davis say their client will not ask to have Niagara County Court Judge Matthew J. Murphy III removed from his case.
-
Labor group laments economic development efforts
Economic development in New York state has become a joke to some in the area. And many of them are demanding changes to a process which spends approximately $3 billion a year.
-
Repaving work on Old Military Road rises to $790K
Sometimes a change is good. Sometimes a change is bad. For the Town of Lewiston, a change can be pretty costly.
-
Fifth-grader presents list of 400 names asking for new playground
A 10-year-old boy carrying a petition containing more than 400 signatures asked members of the Niagara Falls School Board on Thursday to consider building a new playground at his school.
-
Bomb threat leads to arrest at NT school
A North Tonawanda teen was arrested Thursday morning for sending a one-sentence bomb threat to the computer of a fellow high school student, resulting in a brief lockdown of the school.
- Sense of resignation on AES pact
-
Marching to the new veterans memorial
It's the unofficial beginning of summer.
Memorial Day may mean cookouts with hot dogs and hamburgers, a trip on the river in a boat or simply a day off from work Monday.
-
Fugitive in meth case caught
Moments after Falls police narcotics detectives and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents uncovered a clandestine meth lab in the city's Echota neightborhood, their prime suspect sent a cryptic text message to Detective Joe Palmero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
Raw Video: Fight Erupts in Ukrainian Parliament
Texan Ranchers Remain Wary of Drought
Raw Video: Soldiers Plant Flags at Arlington
Police: Man Arrested in Etan Patz Disappearance
NYC Protests: the Revolution Will Be Scripted
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
