After serving as Newton's Economic Development Director since February of 2014, Nancy Hyde has decided to move on, Newton's Planning Director Barney Heath announced Friday, Sept. 30.

"We are proud of the many accomplishments that have occurred during her time with the city, including: collaboration with Mass Challenge and CIC, Newton Innovation Center at Newton Corner, creating a strategic plan of N-Squared Innovation District with key partners the Newton-Needham Chamber and the Town of Needham, and the successful passage of the mixed-used development at Austin Street and general outreach to businesses in Newton" Heath said in a statement.

"The Administration and the Department of Planning and Development wish Nancy well in her future pursuits and are grateful for her contributions to the City of Newton," Heath added.

As part of her role with the city, Hyde was also a member of the chamber's board of directors, said Chamber President Greg Reibman.

"Nancy was everything Newton could have hoped for as its first economic development director," Reibman said. "She came in at a time when the city had a reputation as not always being business friendly and constantly made herself available when businesses large or small needed help navigating their way through our complex permitting process or other matters.

"It also seemed liked she was present at every important meeting, event and ribbon cutting. We're really going to miss Nancy's quiet diplomacy and her tenacity," Reibman added.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as a member of the chamber's board," Hyde said in an email to the chamber's board of directors. "I am also proud of my contributions as economic development director with the city. In my almost three years with the city, we celebrated many great milestones, including expanding the innovation economy in Newton, forging a strong public/private partnership for the mixed use development on Austin Street; permitting rDNA facilities; collaborating with departments and providing technical and moral support to businesses.

"I've also enjoyed representing Newton at community events and believe I successfully completed the significant goals I set out to achieve when I arrived. I'm looking forward to my next opportunity," she wrote.

Newton's economic development director position is funded using a portion of the city's hotel and meals tax revenue.

Reibman called on Mayor Warren and Heath to "move quickly to fill this position to ensure that Newton continues to have someone at City Hall that our businesses know will always be there for them when they call."