Back to her roots
One zWORKS member returned to her roots in her new position for the Boone EDC, the county economic development corporation.
Rachel Huser is the Economic Development Manager for Boone EDC. She was a Western Boone and St. Mary’s College graduate and has worked in Chicago as a financial analyst for the past few years.
“There is something to be said about big cities and there’s something to be said about Boone County and this is where my heart is,” Huser said.
Her goal was to get more involved with community work and local economic development. As the Economic Development Manager, Huser focuses on small businesses and business retention efforts in the county.
She said her favorite part about Boone County is the uniqueness of each town.
“The way I see it, no matter what an individual wants, they can find it in Boone County and call it home,” Huser said.
Boone EDC has partnered with zWORKS since it opened in 2015. For the past three years, they have also awarded an annual zWORKS membership through the GROW program to a zWORKS startup.
Huser said its startups like these that she is most excited to work with.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to even just be a listening ear whenever they have concerns or troubles if they’re just starting out or if they’ve been in the industry 20 years and just need a pivot point,” she added.
Her previous experience focused on financial analysis and project management at an investment banking firm in the food & agribusiness industry. She said she’s excited to bring these universal skills to the table.
Huser will be available on Wednesdays at zWORKS for anyone who has questions. She can also be reached at 317.719.1990 or rhuser@booneedc.org.
The Boone EDC also offers a small business educational series on the second Tuesday of the month – formerly called Business and Brewskis and now called Brews and Biz. The first one this year will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the Boone EDC. The topic is “Tools to Marketing: The Marketing Plan” and cost is $5 for non-members.
Getting to know Rachel…
Factoid: Rachel describes herself as a combination of Leslie Knope’s work ethic and Ann Perkins’ personality traits.
#SecretObsession: Dunkin Donuts