Morris stepping down as EDA director
Patrick Fisher, Staff Writer
On Thursday, Dec. 31, Jim Morris, executive director of the city's Economic Development Authority (EDA), is retiring after more than 20 years of helping New Prague's business community.
He was also involved with New Prague Opportunities Inc., the predecessor of the EDA. Both organizations had the same goal over the years: to help new and established businesses and aid the community's economics.
Morris explained that in the early 1980s he became involved with New Prague Opportunities Inc., through Allen Mahowald, who was president of the organization. The group decided to revitalize the New Prague Chamber of Commerce. At that time, the chamber had 30 members and an annual budget of $3,000. A membership drive and changes in dues resulted in 90 chamber members and a budget of more than $50,000. Morris said that was an important early step for New Prague's business community and chamber.
In my opinion