UKIAH, Calif. – The Economic Development and Financing Corp. will start the new year with a new executive director.
Heather Gurewitz will lead the organization as it continues its mission to “connect money and ideas with entrepreneurs to create sustainable prosperity in Lake and Mendocino counties.”

“I’m really excited about the opportunity to help grow our economy and support local businesses. There’s a lot of great work happening in this county and I look forward to working together to build a strong economic future,” said Gurewitz.

Gurewitz comes to EDFC with a background in community-based economic development.

Currently the Mendocino County Field Representative for Congressman Jared Huffman, Gurewitz came to Mendocino County in 2009 to work for West Company where she served as the Women’s Business Center director.

She has also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Honduras and as an AmeriCorps volunteer with the Northeast Oregon Economic Development District.

While Gurewitz comes with a range of experience and credentials, it is her passion for economic development that brings her to EDFC.

“I didn’t know what I wanted to do until I was in the Peace Corps in 2004,” she said. “As a municipal development volunteer, I worked with a community to develop a strategic plan. At the end of the process it was clear that without economic growth nothing else was likely to change. That experience inspired me to earn a master’s degree in community and regional planning with a focus on economic development. Since then I have been really fortunate to learn about and participate in the implementation of economic development strategies in several communities.”

Gurewitz will begin her new position at the end of January.

To find out more about the Economic Development & Financing Corporation visit www.edfc.org or call 707-234-5705.