By. Alexis Hill, Intern
The Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted Tuesday, July 8, to move forward with offering the city’s Tourism Director position to Kim Hughes.
The motion passed on a 4-1 vote, with Alderman Julie Anderson opposed. Alderman Ryan French was absent from the meeting.
Anderson said her opposition to the motion had nothing to do with Hughes’ qualifications. Anderson believes the city should prioritize hiring a city manager at this time, not a tourism director.
The vote authorizes the city to extend a job offer to Hughes, but the hiring is not yet official. Mayor Joey Hobbs has entered negotiations with Hughes.
The Tourism Director is a newly created position intended to strengthen Manchester’s efforts to promote tourism.
Before the board voted, Hughes thanked city leaders for the opportunity and shared her enthusiasm for Manchester after spending time learning about the community.
“I have to tell you there is a secret sauce here,” Hughes said. “Your frontline people, your businesses, your residents—they’re excited, they’re happy about living here.”
She also described arriving early for the meeting and hearing someone singing inside City Hall, saying it reflected the community’s positive atmosphere.
“Visitors feel that,” Hughes said. “I would love to be a part of the growth of tourism and economic development here because there is just so much opportunity.”
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