Erik Almquist for Lansing City Council D2

I believe in growing our city, Lansing, but will not do it on the backs of city workers. As the center of the state, we should be a destination. Every GREAT city needs art, and I fully support using arts as an attraction to visit, showcasing who we are. For this to happen, we need a city council focused on attracting new businesses that bring employees here. By making Lansing a world-class destination built with our great union workers, we can achieve this. It's all about providing hope to those in our community, especially in Ward 2, and fostering community engagement to ensure our city grows.

I believe that we all need to step up however we can, especially in our community engagement efforts. Some say it's just about creating policy, but for me, it's about showing up and rolling up your sleeves to get things done. Others might think that wrapping themselves in the flag or simply getting their picture taken at an event is enough, but I choose to actively participate. It’s not just about the events; as a former city council member, I have the experience to hit the ground running. I've been involved in negotiations with the Fire and Police departments, always aiming for a win/win situation. I’ve also facilitated a $1,000,000 fresh water main project for the citizens of Lansing at no cost to them. Additionally, during COVID, we successfully grew 8 new businesses in Ward 2. Many people here often express doubt and ask, 'Why did you move here?' We need to shift that mindset to 'Why DIDN’T you move here?' Together, we can foster a thriving community.