From Petoskey to Harbor Springs: Becky Goodman hired as new DDA director

HARBOR SPRINGS — After the Harbor Springs Downtown Development Authority's search for a new director, the group has found its match.

No stranger to the world of downtown development, Becky Goodman started in her new role as Harbor Springs DDA Director on Jan. 8.

Goodman served as the Petoskey Downtown Director for 19 years prior to making the move to the north side of Little Traverse Bay. She said she is grateful for the opportunity to get to be in a "beautiful, beautiful Northern Michigan community," that allows her to transition to part-time work instead of full-time.

"I have a lot to give yet I have a lot of expertise in my field and hoping to share it with Harbor Springs ... so very grateful to be offered this opportunity," Goodman said.

While she is getting her start in Harbor Springs, Goodman said she will still be working part time in Petoskey until the city finds a new downtown director.

In her work, Goodman said she is looking forward to being more hands-on in Harbor Springs than she was able to be in Petoskey, where much of her work — especially in recent years — was on the administrative side.

"They have a great plan for moving forward and projects that they want to get completed in their downtown," she said. "I'm looking forward to working with them very, very much. Their board is exciting, they're committed and the staff in the office has been very, very helpful too."

Originally from Lake Orion, moving to Northern Michigan has let her "work in paradise," she said.

Subscribe: Check out our latest subscription offers

"I still get to work in paradise, because Harbor Springs is just as cool and important to the Michigan economy in just as many ways, so I'm excited about it," Goodman said.

For Goodman, it's important to see a thriving downtown because of the impact that can come from an active downtown community — from community building to raising property values.

"If the downtown is thriving, then the whole community all the way around it will thrive," Goodman said.

The search for a new DDA Director in Harbor Springs kicked off in June following Margo Damoose's departure from the role. She completed her last day June 15.

— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at @KarlyGrahamJRN. 

This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Becky Goodman hired as new Harbor Springs DDA director