Economic Development

My perspective on economic development comes from years of working at the intersection of industry, policy, and community conversations.

The real questions are often simple:

Will the growth strengthen our communities?
What is the risk if we do - and if we don't?

Economic development is also about bringing new investment and new dollars into our local economy. When businesses grow, or new employers choose to locate here, they create jobs, expand opportunity, and strengthen the tax base that supports the services our communities rely on.

That growth must be pursued thoughtfully, but it remains an important part of maintaining a strong and stable local economy.

My view:

Economic development should expand opportunity, strengthen our tax base, and respect the people and property that make Burleigh County what it is.

My story and my view

Economic Development – Growth and Responsibility

Throughout my career and personal life, I've seen many sides of development.

I've worked with industries bringing major projects into communities. I've sat with residents facing devastating losses tied to the economic lifeblood of their communities. And I've experienced the impacts (positive and negative) of development across Burleigh County.

My background is in helping explain complicated policies and infrastructure plans to the public, and more often than not, what people want most is open and transparent communication about what is being proposed and how it may affect them.

I've also seen (and experienced) the harm caused by regulatory gamesmanship, unnecessarily arduous permitting processes, and government policies that pick winners and losers.

Economic development should create opportunity, not confusion or favoritism.

Zoning and long-term planning should create opportunity, not shut it down. When done right, they provide clarity on where development makes sense, protect existing land uses, and help communities grow responsibly.

My View:

Economic development should be thoughtful, transparent, and financially responsible, ensuring that growth strengthens our communities, expands our tax base, and pays for itself.