By Dana Kazel
Brad Gustafson has been promoted to serve as director of St. Louis County’s Economic and Community Development Department. As director, he will oversee a team of 15 staff responsible for identifying and administering economic, community and housing development opportunities and programs, as well as manage the county’s enterprise Geographic Information System business services.
Gustafson has worked for the county since 2019 and most recently served as the Community Development Division’s Planning Manager. He has significant experience leading the county's Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD)/Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) efforts. He has also led work to expand broadband access, and coordinated the county's film incentive economic development programs.
"Brad has tremendous enthusiasm and passion for economic and community development, and I am excited to see all that he will accomplish in this new role," said County Administrator Kevin Gray. "He is a proven leader with tremendous technical and communication skills, along with strong institutional knowledge of federal and state processes and public financing "
Gustafson explained that he applied for the role because, "I love what I do and enjoy having an impact on people’s lives and helping them succeed. We have an amazing team in Economic and Community Development and I look forward to working together to continue to make St. Louis County a place where everybody thrives."
Gustafson earned a bachelor's degree in business management from St. John’s University. He is an Iron Range native who currently serves on the Mt. Iron City Council.
Gustafson's hiring completes a restructuring process started nearly three years ago aimed at improving customer service while delivering more effective outcomes. That restructuring involved dividing the former department of Planning and Community Development into two better focused teams: the Planning and Zoning Department and the Economic and Community Development Departments.
With Gustafson now serving as director of Economic and Community Development, and Ryan Logan in place as Planning and Zoning director since 2024, this allows Darren Jablonsky to return to his preferred role as deputy director of Economic and Community Development. Jablonsky had agreed to serve as interim director throughout the planned restructuring process.
"We are so appreciative to Darren for his tremendous leadership throughout this transition," said Gray. "He willingly stepped up to serve our county and his colleagues in the interim, and I know he's excited to return to a role that allows him more time to focus on particular projects."
Added Gustafson, “Darren has been an amazing mentor to me, and I’m excited to continue working with him and our entire team.”
To learn more about the work of St. Louis County's Economic and Community Development Department, visit stlouiscountymn.gov/ECD.
