by Dennis Dalman
Sartell residents were stunned by surprise May 9 when it was announced that Anita Archambeau, the city’s long-time community development director and assistant city administrator, will resign her job to move to Tennessee this summer.
Archambeau was hired by the city in 2000 as a contracted land-use planner and then moved on to a full-time position in 2003.
Archambeau guided Sartell’s development during a time of spectacular growth as the population more than doubled in the last two decades. She was also instrumental in helping develops the city’s many parks and recreational facilities, in attracting businesses and industries to town and developing and maintaining a strong tax base.
She used her leadership skills to encourage not only development of new neighborhoods but also the creation of the Town Center in south Sartell, the huge medical campus area, the Epic Center shopping center and more.
Statewide. Archambeau made a mark too. In 2013, Gov. Mark Dayton appointed her to serve as an at-large member of the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission.
“Anita’s leadership has been instrumental to the healthy growth of Sartell from a bedroom community to one with a strong business balance,” said Sartell Mayor Ryan Fitzthum in a statement after he’d learned of her plans to leave. “She will be sorely missed in Sartell.”
Archambeau has had more than 24 year of experience in community and economic development. A graduate of St. Cloud State University, she earned a master’s degree at Minnesota State University Mankato and then a doctorate degree in public administration from Hamline University.
In a press release, Archambeau stated the following: “I have greatly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunities I have had through the years, specially working with wonderful community members, Sartell business owners, builders and developers, commission members, mayors and councils and of course my fantastic co-workers. It has been an honor. I really do love this community, and I will always think of Sartell as my home.”
