Mike Swesey is leaving the Greater Des Moines Partnership to become the president and CEO of the St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp. in Florida.

Swesey’s last day with the Partnership will be Oct. 31. He will begin his new position on Nov. 6.

He leaves the Partnership after 23 years, having served as executive vice president of economic development since February 2022.

Tiffany Tauscheck, president and CEO of the Greater Des Moines Partnership, thanked Swesey for his accomplishments, saying he was dedicated to making the region grow.

“Over the past 23 years [Swesey] has played a pivotal role in our economic development success,” Tauscheck said. “His work has resulted in hundreds of projects, billions of dollars in capital investment and tens of thousands of jobs created and retained in Greater Des Moines.”

In a St. Petersburg Area Economic Development Corp. news release announcing the move, Swesey said Florida’s commerce-friendly climate makes it an appealing place for businesses around the world.

“And St. Pete is the best location in the state, with its dynamic workforce, expanding culture of innovation, and warm and inclusive business community—all drawn by the Sunshine City’s effortlessly cool quality of life. With this plus the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District—it’s an economic developer’s dream,” he said in the release.

Swesey was selected following an “extensive national search,” said Bill Kent, the St. Petersburg EDC chair-elect and chairman of the organization’s CEO search committee.

“Mike’s exceptional relationship-building skills will serve the EDC well as we collaborate with our economic development partners,” he said.

St. Petersburg’s Historic Gas Plant District, a major downtown redevelopment project in conjunction with the Tampa Bay Rays baseball team and the Hines Development, will attract companies from “all over the country and around the world,” Kent said.

St. Petersburg Mayor Kenneth T. Welch, who served on the CEO search committee, said Swesey will play an integral role as the city focuses on inclusive progress and equity to attract new businesses to the community.

“We are creating a once-in-a-generation opportunity in the Historic Gas Plant District redevelopment with the Tampa Bay Rays and the Hines Historic Gas Plant Partnership, and Mike’s background and commitment to equitable economic development make him the right choice,” Welch said.

Swesey will replace J.P. DuBuque, who left the EDC in May for a position in the private sector.

The St. Petersburg EDC is supported by more than 65 organizations and has worked with more than 60 companies on relocation or expansion in the community.