The Town Council has approved a new part-time position for an economic development specialist to assist in implementing a plan adopted by the council earlier this year.

Town Manager Ken Buchanan told the council that an earlier attempt to find someone to do the work under contract was unsuccessful.

But Buchanan said he had good response when posting the job as part-time staff and has found someone qualified for the position.

Since the job was removed from the town’s listing of authorized positions, it had to be restored by council.

The job will pay $37 per hour for 25 hours per week. It is possible that the position could be expanded to include the implementation of a tourism promotion program for Fountain Hills.

The council adopted and authorized the implementation of an Economic Development Plan earlier this year, and Buchanan said the first priority of that plan is to concentrate on business attraction.

Councilman Tait Elkie asked how Buchanan envisioned the position meshing with the newly acquired role of the town in tourism promotion.

“This job is really for the business attraction program,” Buchanan said. “However, our number one candidate also has experience in tourism and that may be a possibility down the road.”

Buchanan had said earlier that he was prepared to make an offer to one of the finalists for the job, and only needed the council authorization of the new position. The council vote to authorize the position was unanimous.

Economic development has been established as a high priority for the Town Council as the community struggles to recover after the recession.