6 ways to fight (or work with) city hall

Avatar photo

Trucking companies can be big, noisy targets for citizen action groups that want to reroute traffic, limit truck parking, or force industrial operations out of their back yards. But there are ways such businesses can effectively engage and influence communities where they work.

1. Engage economic development officers

“I’m always a fan of dialogue between businesses and the elected realm,” says Tadzo Consulting founder Allison Larsen, who for more than 34 years has supported business and economic development initiatives in Canada and the U.S.

Many municipal governments have economic development departments that are dedicated to supporting this very thing.

“They’re a liaison and they’re also the business advocate. They become the business voice [within municipal offices],” she says.

City hall sign
(Photo: iStock)

2. Recognize the power in numbers

Similar businesses also face similar challenges. And when they join forces through a chamber of commerce, board of trade, or industry-specific coalition, their collective voices can become a powerful tool.

Even competitors can become valuable friends. “I’ve seen over and over where industries compete vigorously, but they know when to come together,” Larsen says.

But the consultant also stresses the value of engaging fleet customers in different discussions.

“I don’t think logistics companies are isolated. The more they can show that connectivity, the better,” she explains. “The Holy Grail is where other industries say, ‘But for this [trucking] business being here, it would be hard for us to be here.’”

3. Calculate your economic impact

Every business affects the local economy, and the impact can be described through undeniable facts such as the number of employees, payroll totals, and contributed property taxes.

“There’s a value proposition,” Larsen says, adding that such facts can reinforce the way a trucking company supports local activities.

Economists, local post-secondary institutions, and economic development teams are often able to put a fleet’s economic impact into a broader context like this.

4. … but give it a human face

As important as such numbers will be, personal stories and experiences help to reinforce any company message.

Highlighting how a job supported an individual employee and their involvement in the community will put things like workforce totals in perspective.

Larsen also recommends comparisons that resonate with the local audience. She recalls one community where residents were worried about wheat fields being altered to support grape vines. The people behind that change described the values in terms of bushels of wheat.

“Storytelling and metaphors make a difference,” she says.

5. Educate the politicians

Municipal politicians come with varied backgrounds, and many have never been exposed to life inside the fences of a fleet yard. It’s why Larsen recommends inviting elected representatives to see practical examples of things like commitments to environmental sustainability or safety.

“Don’t assume that elected officials know this industry or what benefits it brings,” she says.

Still, Larsen is cautious when it comes to inviting citizen action groups for a tour behind the curtain. “What’s their motivation?” she asks. “Are they willing to learn?”

6. Participate in the planning processes

Local development is guided by official plans, and the underlying rules that define industrial zones and transportation corridors are developed through public meetings.

Such meetings often attract limited crowds, Larsen notes. “It’s a great place for business to show up.”

The process can be particularly important as communities expand and residential areas begin to encroach on industrial areas. Complaints about noise and traffic rarely exist when there’s a wide buffer between businesses and residents.

As the gap narrows, residents tend to raise more concerns.

Avatar photo

John G. Smith is Newcom Media's vice-president - editorial, and the editorial director of its trucking publications -- including Today's Trucking, trucknews.com, and Transport Routier. The award-winning journalist has covered the trucking industry since 1995.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*

  • 3 different companies purchase a portable washroom for yr round use and also put 2 20 Amp plugs to reduce engine running time . We can do many things if work with local people

  • I asked one place if the neighbours complained about their trucking business and he said they do, but we were here when this was all open fields. We didn’t spring up overnight.