Not In My Backyard (NIMBY-ism) Strategies
NIMBY-ism In Economic Development
There are several strategies that can be used to address NIMBYism in economic development projects. These include:
Educate the community and encourage public participation
Developers can hold community meetings and provide information about the project, its benefits, and how it will impact the community. This can help to address concerns and dispel myths about the project.
Address legitimate concerns and find strong voices to defend positions
Developers should listen to the concerns of the community and address them in a transparent and honest manner. This can help to build trust and reduce opposition. Don’t hesitate to offer scripted points to help in these elevated conversations.
Hold open houses and provide published materials
Developers can hold open houses to allow community members to see the plans and ask questions. This can help to build relationships and address concerns.
Showcase past work – Success Sells!
Developers can showcase past projects they have completed successfully. This can help to build trust and demonstrate their ability to complete the project in a responsible and effective manner.
Explain the benefits
Developers can explain the benefits of the project to the community, such as increased jobs, tax revenue, and economic growth. This can help to build support for the project.
Look for opportunities to remove an eyesore
Opposition can be minimized when renovating an existing vacant and deteriorated building or site.
Combat exclusionary zoning
Developers can work with local officials to combat exclusionary zoning, which can keep affordable housing out of certain communities altogether.
Build trust and establish a relationship with the news media
Establishing a relationship with the news media as a credible and responsible public servant is helpful in countering the common NIMBY tactic.
Overall, it is important for developers to engage with the community and address their concerns in a transparent and honest manner. By doing so, they can build trust and support for the project, and overcome NIMBYism.
