Fresno’s new economic development director is someone who played a role in the emergence of two Idaho boomtowns.

City manager Georgeanne White announced the selection of Cliff Long as Fresno’s economic development director on Friday.

Long comes from Nampa, Idaho, a fast-growing city whose economy boasts strong agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing sectors — similar to Fresno’s economy. However, Nampa also is seeing strong growth in technology, a field that Fresno seeks to further develop.

Long previously held economic development roles in Boise, Idaho and, most recently, Renton, Washington. Boise is a hub for tech, healthcare, and education.

“I am excited to join the team at the city of Fresno and work to bring new jobs and investment to this dynamic community,” Long said in a news release. “Fresno has such a fantastic economic history and an even bigger potential ahead of it.”

He succeeds Lance Lippincott, who left Fresno in September 2024 to become Shafter’s city manager. Long officially begins his duties on Monday, May 19.

City Hall Praise for Long

“Cliff Long is exactly the kind of visionary leader Fresno needs right now,” said White. “He is a seasoned economic development professional with the skills and passion to create meaningful economic opportunities for our residents. His ability to work with community partners and turn strategy into action will be instrumental in helping Fresno reach its full potential. …”

Long has a record of driving business expansion, infrastructure development, and fostering regional collaboration, city officials said.

“Fresno is a city on the move, and Cliff Long will help us take the next big step forward,” said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “His proven success in both large and mid-sized cities makes him uniquely qualified to lead our economic development efforts.”