Cudahy Economic Development Director Lara Fritts — the victim of a raw deal by that city’s elected leaders recently in which her hours were reduced and staff were cut in an 11th-hour budget debate — has landed a new job.
In fact, it’s a better one.
Fritts has been named president and chief executive officer of the Annapolis (Md.) Economic Development Corporation.
See the full story here. From it:
As Cudahy’s chief economic developer, Fritts negotiated development agreements expected to result in $66.3 million worth of new development in the city. In a one-year period, she met and followed up with over 180 prospects, resulting in six new businesses and 12 retained businesses. She also created and implemented an expedited development process for all proposed construction projects in the city.
Previously, Fritts was executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation in Alexandria, Virginia; President of the Washington, D.C. Technology Council; and Director of Membership of the Technology Council of Maryland. She also served as President and Executive Director and was involved in the creation of the Greater Rockville Partnership, now known as Rockville Economic Development, Inc.
“We are very pleased to have someone of the caliber of Lara Fritts as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of the Annapolis Economic Development Corporation,” said Midgett S. Parker, Jr., Chair of the AEDC Board of Directors. “Her involvement in the successful start-up of the economic development corporation in Rockville was critical to her selection.”
Cudahy will regret losing her.
As for Fritts, this is a promotion. Annapolis, home of the Naval Academy, is nearly twice the size of Cudahy, which will now apparently be left with a part-time economic development director and the status of its economic development efforts in question at the worst possible time.
Good luck, Cudahy. Good luck, Lara.
South Milwaukee Blog 
This is horrible for Cudahy – why can’t they cut fat instead of the people that are actually producing? Or, think out of the box and perhaps have the 3 cities of St. Francis, Cudahy and South Milwaukee partner together to have a combined Economic Development Team to promote the whole southside along the Lake instead of always competing with each other? I understand there’s so many politics involved, but it seems if cities like Cudahy don’t start shaping up, there are only going to be more problems.
I am sorry to hear that Cudahy is losing Lara. People with her drive are few and far between.