How do you see economic development and incentives as beneficial to the City of Loveland? What should those look like?
It’s important to recognize that economic development is more than just incentives. Having a city that is great to live in is one of the most effective forms of economic development possible. Municipal broadband creates an environment that connects Loveland to the world in ways that weren’t possible before. This is beneficial to Loveland residents, and Loveland businesses. When the city is easy to work with, and operates efficiently and responsively, it makes a bigger difference in economic development than any number of incentives.
There are also times in the growth of a local business where it needs a hand to take the next steps in growth. Sometimes that means moving to a bigger location, or investing in new equipment, or building something new. These are times where businesses need the city to work with them collaboratively to help them cut through the red tape and get to the next level of their business.
Also, sometimes economic development can mean giving a business an incentive to move their operations to Loveland, but I don’t think that this should be the primary form of economic development in our city.
What programs and incentives would you support, if any, to make housing more attainable in Loveland?
I support the city of Loveland giving developers incentives for adding affordable housing intermingled with market rate housing. The city should respect the rights of property owners to develop their land how they choose. And, if the developer wants the city to contribute to the project, then the city has a right to ask for some concessions in return.
The more important issue that we are facing around housing is the issue of supply and demand. Loveland is an amazing place to live, so people are moving here like cats & dogs! We have twice as many people moving to the front range as we have new housing being created. This imbalance in supply and demand is driving up the cost of housing.
This leaves us with two options:
- Make Loveland less desirable so that less people want to live here. Obviously, this is a terrible option!
- Increase the supply of well-built, accessible housing. Building more houses that are built to last, while still being affordable means that they will have to be designed to utilize resources efficiently. Increased housing density in new developments will almost certainly be a part of facing this challenge.
Making and keeping housing attainable in Loveland, isn’t going to be solved by any one development or decision, but I am confident that with creative thinking we can create a future where Loveland families can settle down and grow old together.