Kim Durst
Kim began her economic development career in January 2004. Originally hired to fill an administrative assistant position, Kim began assuming additional duties almost immediately and quickly became an indispensable member of Garrett County’s economic development team. She is currently the Manager of Business Development. Kim’s duties within the Department include office management/administration, data mining/analysis, GIS applications, business tax credit program administration, website and social media management, business retention services, business start-up services, legislative tracking, and special report projects, among others.
A graduate of Southern Garrett Senior High School, Kim holds an AA Degree in Math/Science from Garrett College, McHenry, a Paralegal Certification with specialties in real estate law, civil litigation, wills and trusts, and corporate law from the Professional Career Development Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, and has received specialized training in GIS applications as they relate to economic development and federal statistics.
Kim is a member of the Western Maryland Workforce Development Board, Garrett County’s Workforce Development Board, Garrett County’s Workforce Development Council, the I-68 Regional Alliance Board, and an advisory member of the Garrett County Development Corporation. She is a past member of the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA). She previously served on the Garrett County Development Corporation’s Workforce Development and Business Start-Up and Support Workgroups, as well as The Greater Cumberland Committee's Education Workgroup.
A long-time advocate for children with special needs, Kim served on the Board of Directors for the Maryland Salem Children’s Trust, Inc., Grantsville, from 2009-2016. She has also served on the Garrett County Department of Social Services Advisory Board and the Garrett County Mental Health Advisory Committee.