Mayor Rex Richardson has appointed a deputy mayor for economic development after the City Council voted last month to approve the newly created role.

Lucius Martin, who most recently led the business development bureau within the city’s Economic Development Department, will fill the new position beginning in mid-March, Richardson announced Thursday.

Along with this role, the City Council’s vote last month also allowed for a second deputy mayor position to focus on housing, though an appointment for that position has not yet been announced.

In his new role, Martin will oversee the mayor’s “Grow Long Beach” initiative, which focuses on five sectors: aerospace, goods movement, tourism, education and health care.

“Mr. Martin has demonstrated a proven track record of capable and effective leadership during his time with the City as a workforce development leader and relationship builder,” Richardson said in a statement. “I am thrilled to welcome him to the team and look forward to his contributions as we grow our Long Beach economy in new and exciting directions.”

https://lbpost.com/news/long-beach-mayors-office-will-grow-despite-pushback-from-some-on-council