Team
Christa Ouderkirk Franzi
Senior Project Manager
Of course you can do economic development in rural areas! The trick is to apply the principles of a strong entrepreneurial community - local leadership, inclusiveness, commitment, and adaptability.
About Christa
Successful economic development initiatives require an interdisciplinary perspective to understand the system, which is just what Christa brings to the Camoin team. With a developed understanding of the complex relationships between economic growth, land use planning, workforce, quality of place, and environmental sustainability she has devised economic development strategies that will be financially, environmentally, and socially sustainable for years to come.
With a unique talent for creative problem solving, Christa prides herself on helping communities capitalize on otherwise “hidden” opportunities. She also has an intuitive sense for marketing, communications, and engagement for economic development and works with clients on developing targeted website content, newsletters and brochures, and social media strategies.
Christa’s Affecting Real Change
In early 2015, she led an interdisciplinary team in the preparation of an Re-Industrialization strategy for the City of Allentown, PA. Her leadership and focus on building partnerships allowed a swift transition from planning to action. Today, Allentown has a robust business visitation program and has secured funds to upgrade its business incubator.
Christa is also dedicated to creating meaningful community and stakeholder engagement. Her work for Hoosick Rising continues to energize the community and attract positive media attention:
As the chair of the Northeastern Economic Developers Association’s (NEDA) Communications Committee, she is working to completely restructure the organization’s communications and marketing strategy and was nominated at the organizations 2016 Member of the Year for her efforts. Christa is also called upon for much of Camoin’s own marketing and communications strategy including re-designing our website; developing and tracking online, email, and print-add campaigns; promoting the company via social media; and managing our blog, the Economic Development Navigator.
Personal Interests
Christa is an explorer. On any given weekend she’s likely having an adventure hiking, biking, or kayaking somewhere in New York’s Adirondack Mountains or the Tug Hill Region. She also enjoys volunteering for Capital District Community Gardens, at public radio fund-drives, and is looking forward to being a new ski instructor at Double H Ranch.
Roll call:
Congrats Christa Franzi now CEcD!
The Certified Economic Developer exam is not easy.#EconDev #IEDCJacksonville— IEDC (@IEDCtweets) January 29, 2017
