Economic Development Specialist Joins Tourism Bureau
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2ef0ba152c4d1b7d589facf1ced7dca7 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=0422eaf363f77f1e46818801e538dab0 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=9a3015fe402011bd36c1a8e9ea542b67 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b01df107b4b03c029f9042f15da7437f 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4f657fc63da0993559f2c87dcd03f325 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=e145de151de541737cf27f92be06e06f 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2d19d728356bc47a88f88cb3cd7b5389 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Beth-Bear.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b2c295d0b01a9ef61c1450d12a834b51 2100w)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Alton, IL – April 11, 2022) Jerseyville native and former head of the Jersey County Business Association, Beth Bear, will join the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau as an Economic Development Specialist May 1.
Bear will focus on tourism product development. The Economic Development Specialist position is new to the Bureau and reflects the transformational thinking needed to create the next great tourism destination, Cory Jobe, President/CEO of the Bureau noted.
“We are always looking ahead to ways we can grow the region,” Jobe said. “Beth has a strong background in economic development and we are thrilled she is bringing those skills to our bureau.”
As head of the JCBA, Bear advocated for businesses, created & delivered programs to drive consumer traffic, and assisted businesses and local governments in writing for grants and loans. In addition to her experience at the JCBA, Bear brings a wealth of experience working with communities at every level. She has over 20 years of experience helping both individuals and organizations advocate their positions within the wider community.
“I have always had great respect for the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau,” Bear noted. “I am excited to bring my perspective to the Great Rivers & Routes region, which is a world class destination. Every traveler has their stories of the extraordinary - memories of places and experiences which will be with them forever. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have had some of those incredibly special moments in this very place that I call home."
Bear has worked as a Youth Affairs Coordinator with the Office of the Illinois Lt. Governor; a Legislative Analyst with the Illinois House of Representatives; and as a policy manager with several organizations in London, United Kingdom prior to leading the JCBA.
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(The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau is a certified Destination Marketing Organization serving Madison, Jersey, Calhoun, Macoupin, Montgomery, and Greene counties and the City of East St. Louis in St. Clair County. The bureau is dedicated to educating visitors about the region by providing information regarding the area’s history, unique landmarks, recreational opportunities, leisure attractions, special events and scenic marvels.)