Each month, TwinWest President Bruce Nustad writes a column that appears in TwinWest-area Sun Sailor and Sun Post editions. In writing this column, he strives to inform readers about the ways TwinWest connects with the local community and works to build a better business environment. The column appears in both print and online editions.

April 2008 column:

Hello, My Name is Business Constituent

Recently, the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce wrapped up a series of State of the City events throughout the western suburbs. Those conversations between city officials and business leaders reminded me that not only are residents constituents of local government, but so are businesses.

Staying engaged in local government has become less common for business leaders. Ask for a quick show of hands at any business event to see how many people vote in the elections of the city where their company is located, and you’re likely to see fewer than half the hands in the room go up. Technology and mobility make it easier to live in a community miles from the workplace, and as a result, businesspeople often don’t consider themselves constituents of the city where their business is situated. 

Today’s challenge is to rethink that disconnect. I believe there is a solid case to be made for business leaders defining themselves and their employees as “business constituents” in the city where their business is located. 

Defining ourselves as business constituents is important for several reasons:

    1. Cities are major enterprises. Even today’s smallest cities have budgets 
        of more than $1 million, and in theTwinWest region, several cities’ budgets
        top $20 million. The decisions made by city councils and staffs directly
        impact businesses, their employees, and the infrastructure that
        surrounds them.

    2. Cities are making economic development and regulatory decisions that affect 
        businesses everyday. Sometimes it’s the simple placement of a stop sign,
        but often cities make zoning, signage and other decisions with far-reaching
        consequences.

    3. Cities collect important market and demographic data. In fact, right now all our
        cities are going through Metropolitan Council-required updates of their
        Comprehensive Plans. These plans contain resident and employment 
        projections as well as information on development plans and strategies.

    4. Cities want to hear what business constituents think. My experience is that city
        council members, commissioners, committee members and staff are hungry
        for input from the business community. City officials are sophisticated and
        know the growth of businesses drives the tax base and economic vitality of
        the community.

Connecting with a city can be accomplished in many ways. I would recommend interested business constituents review city council agendas, attend local business-city connection events, get involved in TwinWest’s grassroots political network and make an effort to meet local mayor and city executive at least once a year.

Ultimately, our goal should be to partner with and build strong, respectful and lasting working relationships with our local governments. As always, TwinWest would welcome the opportunity to be a conduit in that endeavor.

Bruce Nustad is president of the TwinWest Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.twinwest.com or call the chamber office at (763) 450-2220.