Grow our economy and support local businesses: Johnson City is full of life thanks to its small businesses. One of my favorites: Dos Gatos, a friendly and welcoming coffeehouse downtown.
Affordability is also about creating good jobs, helping local businesses succeed, attracting responsible investment, and growing our tax base so the burden doesn’t keep falling on residents.
Here’s my plan as your Commissioner:
- Support the businesses already here, making it easier for local businesses to start, expand, hire, and navigate City Hall.
- Invest in entrepreneurs and small businesses, strengthening partnerships with organizations that provide technical assistance, financing, mentoring, and other support.
- Attract good jobs and responsible investment that fit Johnson City’s workforce, infrastructure, neighborhoods, and long-term vision.
- Use economic-development incentives strategically, with clear expectations for jobs, wages, investment, community benefits, and measurable returns to taxpayers.
- Grow and diversify the tax base, pursuing development that generates sustainable revenue and helps fund city services without continually asking residents to pay more.
- Connect economic development to Horizon 2045, so the investments we pursue help build the city we’ve said we want to become.
Economic development is about building an economy where local businesses can thrive, people can find good jobs, and growth helps make Johnson City more affordable for everyone.
