LEWISTON — Misty Parker, the assistant director of economic and community development, tendered her resignation Friday.

In a statement Friday afternoon, Parker said she has accepted a job as the new director of economic and community development in Bath.

“I am so thankful for the many relationships I have built here and the work we as a community and city have been able to do together,” she said. “I feel strongly that the work that remains is in good hands and will carry forward in my absence.”

Parker, a city employee since 2014, has led many projects for the city, including its Choice Neighborhoods revitalization initiative, where she oversaw the complicated process that turned a community planning effort into a $30 million federal redevelopment grant.

Parker’s resignation is effective Feb. 23, and comes just weeks after the city placed former Code Enforcement Director David Hediger on leave for the purpose of not renewing his contract.

A statement from the city’s administration Friday said, “Misty has been an invaluable asset to our team and the community of Lewiston. She embodied dedication, professionalism, and positivity throughout her tenure. We extend our sincerest gratitude for her outstanding contributions and are confident she will excel in her new role.”

The statement said whoever takes Parker’s place “will have big shoes to fill,” and will take over “several monumental projects, including the development of a downtown revitalization plan, Choice Neighborhoods implementation, Continental Mill redevelopment, Riverfront Island Master Plan, and continuing the momentum with the city’s Public Art Committee.”

Parker held the positions of economic development specialist and economic development manager prior to being named assistant director of the economic development department in January 2022.

“I am proud of my accomplishments here in Lewiston,” she said. “We were successful in bringing a $30 million Choice Neighborhoods grant to the city to start implementing a transformation plan that was created by over 400 residents.”

She said that since the grant award in 2021, over $95 million has been invested by the private sector in the Tree Streets. In the past year, 19 housing units have been completed as part of the plan, 154 units are under construction, and 426 units have been approved by the Planning Board.

“Misty’s departure represents a tremendous loss for our city,” said Mayor Carl Sheline on Friday. “She is the reason we have the Choice Neighborhoods grant and has always been a great advocate for doing business in Lewiston. We owe Misty a debt of gratitude for everything she has done for us.”

Parker also helped launch a construction training initiative in 2016 that grew into Strengthen LA. She’s helped secure nearly $5 million in funding for several Riverfront Island Implementation Master Plan projects, worked with the team that is revitalizing the Scrutton Block, and helped forward several other housing projects during a time when housing is sorely needed.

Parker also had a hand in Lewiston’s recent flourishing public art scene. Over $600,000 in public art projects have been created since 2017, with less than $10,000 coming directly from the city budget.

Following the Oct. 25 shooting, Parker was part of a small team of city staff and volunteers who organized the community vigil at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

“It was one small thing I could do in a time of grief for a community that has meant so much to me,” she said.

Lincoln Jeffers, the longtime director of the economic development department in Lewiston, was out of the office and not available for comment Friday.

The assistant director position has already been posted to the city’s website. It says the annual salary range is between $74,471 and $109,922.

Prior to coming to Lewiston, Parker worked on economic development and town planning in midcoast Maine. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Maine at Machias and a master’s degree in resource management and conservation from Antioch University New England.

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