ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – As Escanaba City Manager Jim McNeil prepares to step down at the end of this week, WZMQ 19 asked him to reflect on his time in the position and look ahead to what comes next for the City.
“It’s been a pleasure to serve this role,” McNeil said. “Really an honor. We’ve had such a good team to get through the challenges we’ve had and the opportunities that we’ve had, and we’re really proud of what we’ve accomplished.”
One thing McNeil is most proud of during his three and a half years at the helm is the City’s focus on its budget.
“Both short and long term of trying to position it better, we definitely did that,” he said. “Also, the amount of private development that we’ve seen come in that will continue to break ground over the next few years. It amounts to a few hundred jobs and substantial investment.”
He has also been instrumental in significant public infrastructure projects, like the one happening now on Ludington Street.
“Between all that investment—a lot of it being grant funded—along with our budget moves, we’re going to see our net position double in a really short amount of time,” said McNeil. “Work will continue. We have projects planned out through 2030 and, certainly, more to be planned yet.”
McNeil believes the City is well-positioned to see those projects through to completion and to take on new developments in the future.
“There’s so much opportunity right now for a community like Escanaba,” he said. “You look at all the different technological innovations and demographic shifts and the assets that we have here. Anything is possible, but you really do have to believe it, and you have to be active to go get it. We can’t be a community that looks to turn opportunities away; we definitely have to be active seekers of trying to seize it.”
McNeil will be staying in Escanaba, both as a member of the community and as a member of local boards on which he already serves. As for his time as manager, he leaves the City with an optimistic message.
“Look at all the different projects that we’ve started and the relationships that have been built, whether it’s internally or with our partners here or the community,” he said. “There really is that momentum, and I think it’s these relationships that will allow these ideas to continue for quite a long time.”
City Controller Melissa Becotte has been selected to serve as interim manager while the City continues searching for McNeil’s permanent replacement.
