Written by: Katie Mowat
At Burian & Associates, we are proud to announce the completion of the Cavalier County Housing Study and Infrastructure Assessment for the Cavalier County Job Development Authority (JDA) located in Cavalier County, North Dakota. Cavalier County was created in 1873 and is made up of 12 incorporated cities, towns, and census designated places. This project presented an opportunity to collaborate with the community to understand how housing availability is affecting their way of life in the area, look at the reasons why there are issues with housing in the region, and provide recommendations on ways to move forward.
Housing as a Foundation for the Future of Cavalier County
Burian & Associates led the study, supported by Praxis Strategy Group, which involved: determining demographic trends and projections; an economic profile including industry, key employers, and employment trends; conversations and a survey identifying specific housing needs and possible areas for development; a market analysis; and recommendations for moving forward.
Cavalier County and its communities are facing a key turning point for its future. The region has seen a slow decline in population and employment over the past two decades. The population in the region is aging, yet there are signs of growth in a younger demographic. Incomes in the region are relatively strong, communities are sound, and life is generally “good” for residents of the region.
The agriculture economy is strong and supports jobs in wholesale trade and transportation. The local banking and telecommunications sectors are significant. Yet without much manufacturing activity in the area, the economy must be sustained by local consumer activity. In the past five years, health care, wholesale trade, information, construction, and transportation sectors all declined.
Local leaders and citizens agree that a lack of quality housing availability is limiting the economy. Citizens support the pursuit of growth in Cavalier County. Housing shortages constraining growth will further limit sales for local businesses, adding to a continued cycle of decline. Without housing in the region, open jobs go unfilled as the local population ages, and there are fewer customers left in the region. The aging workforce and weak housing stock threaten the long-term viability of Cavalier County.
The Way Forward
Among the study’s findings, increasing housing supply was noted as a high priority for the region’s economic development and it was stated that it was critical to sustain the county’s communities for the future. Urgency surrounding this topic is required by the stakeholders in the region. Burian & Associates and Praxis Strategy Group went beyond just the numbers, as reinforced by this comment from Shannon Duerr, Cavalier Country JDA’s Executive Director, “You aren’t just giving us the numbers you are helping us understand the why behind them.” Thus, as part of the report, a framework for action was created with three key pillars based on the numbers, patterns, conversions, and surveys:
- Increase housing supply
- Boost the housing economy
- Boost public sector support
A lack of housing availability at all levels of the market is constraining the county and has the potential to cause the region’s decline. Cavalier County JDA is a trusted partner and a key agency in the region. Increasing housing capacity should become a priority, and the County can assist in multiple ways. The county- and city-level governments have a role to play in improving housing options for county residents or risk a decline in the population and tax base in the region. Local governments can help by streamlining processes, incenting needed projects, and investing in infrastructure to promote housing development.
Looking Ahead
This project equipped the Cavalier County JDA with data from community stakeholders, a market analysis, an economic analysis, and an infrastructure assessment to move forward on issues around housing. Cavalier County, including the Cities of Langdon, Munich, and Nekoma, has potential, however, that potential will only be reached by working as a larger community to find ways to hit the three pillars mentioned above. However, the future looks positive with this comment from Shannon Duerr, Cavalier Country JDA’s Executive Director, “Thank you again for the great presentation this morning! We’ve already heard a lot of positive feedback from our board members—it really got them thinking about the future.” At Burian & Associates, we’re honored to have been a part of this project and look forward to supporting similar communities in achieving their visions for sustainable growth.
Want to Learn More?
For more details about this project or to discuss how we can help your community prepare for future growth, contact us at 701-478-7999.