The Sawtooth Board of Realtors has hired former Sun Valley Associate Planner and Ketchum resident Marisa Nelson for its new position of government affairs director.
The primary purpose of the position is to act as an advocate for the Sawtooth Board of Realtors, the Blaine County real estate community and "also to be a resource for the local community," Nelson said.
Her first day on the job was June 25.
Among her job duties, the most time-consuming will be attending public meetings in local cities and at the county, Nelson said. In that capacity, she will monitor and evaluate local legislative positions that may impact the Sawtooth Board of Realtors and the real estate industry.
As a local economic driver, the importance of the real estate community to the Wood River Valley is significant, Nelson said. As such, decisions that affect the success of the local economy and the local quality of life have a direct impact on the real estate community.
"The better the quality of life is the more people want to live here," Nelson said.
The addition of the new government affairs position, along with the creation of a government affairs committee, are the first steps in the board's plan to offer its resources to local governments, said Sawtooth Board of Realtors Committee Chairman Jim Figge.
"Our local governments are addressing issues that will affect the economic vitality and livability of our area for years to come," he said. "We want to share our knowledge and resources in the areas of regional planning, affordable workforce housing and economic development."
Marisa Nelson
