There's a new economic developer in town.

The Cayuga County Office of Planning and Economic Development recently welcomed Jon Christopher as its senior director of economic development.

The new position was created with $100,000 in state funding obtained by Assemblyman Gary Finch, R-Springport, and Sen. Michael Nozzolio, R-Fayette.

Christopher has an extensive manufacturing background. He worked at Miller Brewing Co. in Fulton for 17 years and at Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. in Brewerton.

He was also the director of training and education services for the Manufacturer's Association of Central New York.

Cayuga County Legislature Chairman Herb Marshall, one of a group of people who proposed the new position, felt that the county required someone that could assist current businesses and look for different opportunities.

"There's a need to maintain the jobs that we have here and to attract some new ones, and I thought that having a full-time person, that this was the right way to do it," Marshall said.

In the two weeks since he started, Christopher has been trying to learn more about the county by driving around towns and researching current and potential businesses.

But Christopher is no stranger to Central New York; he grew up in Bridgeport and has lived in Camillus for 20 years.

"I've had job offers all around the country, but I'm committed to Central New York and want to see the region that I call home thrive," he said.

Christopher's annual salary is $55,000, Marshall said.