Guest Authored by Jeanine Jerkovic
No, you’re not imagining it: Anti-development and anti-growth sentiments are on the rise nationally. Whether it’s feelings of areas being ‘good as they are,’ overdevelopment concerns or just not trusting local government, 26% of Americans reported actively opposing a new development in a January 2025 Emerson College Polling survey.
In the face of NIMBYism (Not in My Backyard), economic developers must master authentic community engagement, partnerships and public relations like never before. It’s time to rethink our approach and reenergize communities around the opportunities that come with local growth.
Rethinking NIMBYism
The environmental NIMBY resistance to nuclear power plants and landfills of the ‘50s and ‘60s is past. Today, the concerns are more far-reaching and the backyard is larger.
- A wider lens: Today’s NIMBY covers public health, social justice and impact on property values.
- All about the Backyard: Opposition is not necessarily to the project, housing, retail or otherwise on principle as much as it is location-based.
- Who benefits from growth: Community members may not feel a personal benefit to themselves or their community — only the developers’ interests.
- More challenging than ever: As public concerns about growth become more organized and vocal, economic developers must rise to the occasion with bold, creative strategies, including persuasive communication.
Reframing the Conversation
Reframing development and growth can be a tall order, but getting the community invested in new housing and retail projects, showing up and participating, can balance out naysayers to shine light on the overall vision. Here’s how:
- You have to care first: Consistently show residents, through actions, direct outreach and candid conversations that you care about them and are empathetic to their concerns. All opinions stem from people caring about their community.
- Ease friction through open communication: Simplifying confusing project attraction processes turns support and participation into easier asks.
- Listen up: Host public work sessions and forums to gauge community sentiment and empower them with information. Use tools, including social media, to shape narratives and counter resistance.
- Leaders set the tone: Prep civic leaders with the facts – their visible actions and energy shape the way community members feel about development and growth.
Reenergize your Community
Harnessing local energy and strategic engagement can turn big dreams into real progress.
- Identify a community’s rallying point: Identify a shared communal value to use as a foundation for framing the overall benefit to residents.
- Make the process enjoyable and inclusive: Invite residents to fall in love with the vision and contribute unique insights.
- Activate the power of social media: Give residents tools to engage and champion efforts online. Spreading the long-term benefits to fearful neighbors from the mouths of those they trust the most: each other.
Even anti-growth voices often stem from a desire for a better future. By listening and involving residents and voters, we can build communities ripe for growth — shaped and supported by the people who live there.
Jeanine Jerkovic is the Economic Development Director for Surprise, AZ, bringing new retail and employment opportunities to the community. Connect on LinkedIn.
Ready to turn community resistance into community momentum? The KCADC team and our partners are here to help you navigate local engagement with confidence and clarity. Contact us to learn more.