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BUCHANAN — Tony McGhee has been selected as the new Buchanan City Manager after a second round of interviews Monday. McGhee was one of three candidates invited back to make presentations to City Commissioners Monday afternoon and was chosen unanimously by the commission later that evening.

     The other two invited back to make presentations Monday and meet with city staff after Friday’s interviews were Caro, Mich. city manager Scott Czasak and Berrien County Election Administrator Kathryn Klemesrud.

     “We had 50 applicants and then were given 10 to choose from,” Commissioner Dan Vigansky said after making the motion to offer the job to McGhee. “We chose five and then interviewed four. Any one of them would make a really good city manager.”

     “We picked the one that is the best fit for us right now,” he added. “We’re at the precipice and cusp of doing great things. Buchanan has a shot, that’s why I fight so hard. I hope he accepts our offer.”

     Commissioner Patrick Swem said he thought the search process followed this year was much more thorough than the one the city followed last year including having staff input. “I want to thank all the applicants,” he said. “We had a much more thorough review this time and could see how people thought on their feet. I think Tony will be an excellent choice.”

     Commissioners Raquell George and Larry Money and Mayor Mark Weedon also expressed thanks to the other applicants and welcomed McGhee to the city. Commissioners will now negotiate a contract with McGhee with the goal of him starting shortly after the new year. The position was advertised to have a salary range of $110,000-$125,000.

McGhee has been the vice-president of development services at Abonmarche since 2010. He was owner of the Water Street Group in Benton Harbor from 2009-11 and was vice president of physical and business development for Cornerstone Alliance from 2004-09. He served with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation from 1998-2004.

He said Friday he believed he was the right fit for the job due to his experience with infrastructure, utilities and economic development and added that he has built relationships with other area leaders over the years. “I have a track record and am known in the area,” he said.

He said some of the past projects he’s most proud of are the Smart Park project in Cassopolis, the revitalization of downtown Allegan and securing land for the Harbor Shores development. “With the Smart Park, it was an idea in 2019 and by 2023 it was up and running,” he said.

“I’ve been watching Buchanan for eight to 10 years,” McGhee said Friday when asked about his views of Buchanan. “You have a real sense of community where people stick together and care. You have solid schools and the opportunity to build something. There are not too many communities with the natural resources you have.”

“This could be a community where people want to live and have their business,” he added. “You have the foundation with your quality of life, infrastructure and economic development opportunities to do some pretty good things for the next generations.”

Monday’s presentation centered on candidates’ plans for infrastructure and economic development. McGhee talked about finding ways for the city to leverage its “world class resources” and “entrepreneurial friendly environment.”

He spoke about the city’s infrastructure needs and how to pay for those projects with grants and low interest loans as well as attracting developers interested in building new housing and opening new businesses. He wants to work on other goals such as improving neighborhoods and finding ways to keep young people from moving away.

“People ask me why I want to do this (be a city manager),” he noted. “I want to make the vision you have a reality, I want to be a part of it. You have a lot going on here.”