AMHERST — A point person for the direction of Amherst’s economy who also has expertise in the burgeoning medical and adult-use marijuana fields will depart at the end of the month to become Sunderland’s town administrator.
Geoff Kravitz, an Amherst native who became the town’s first economic development director in January 2016, announced his resignation Tuesday to take the post in the neighboring community. His last day on the job will be Jan. 31.
Kravitz replaces Sherry Patch, who left the job in October after serving in Sunderland since 2015, for an identical position in Princeton.
Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman said Kravitz has been a key member of the town’s management staff, interacting regularly with the business community, including the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and the Amherst Business Improvement District, and representatives from Amherst College, Hampshire College and the University of Massachusetts.
“He has also taken the lead for the town on the introduction of medical and adult-use marijuana, provided the staff guidance in the review of all town general and zoning bylaws, and ushered the downtown parking study to its conclusion,” Bockelman said.
Kravitz, 39, previously served as deputy chief of staff for the Massachusetts Office of Housing and Economic Development and deputy director of cabinet affairs for former Gov. Deval Patrick, and was government affairs director for the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
He cited accomplishments as working on town-gown collaborations, deepening the integration between businesses and cultural organizations, and laying the groundwork for Amherst’s changing economy, pointing to the number of jobs in town growing by more than 10% over the past four years and the value of commercial property rising by more than $21 million.
The economic development director position was a key component of the last budget created by late Town Manager John Musante in 2015 and had been a priority recommendation from U3 Advisers of Philadelphia in its report to the Town-Gown Study Committee.
Bockelman said he will be advertising the position soon and also will be discussing its roles and responsibilities with other Amherst officials.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.