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Leaders

Jim Townsend

Former Representative / Royal Oak, MI

Pro-Growth Progressive Idea: Leading smart growth regional cooperation to reinvest in older developed communities

Jim Townsend served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017. Jim was committed to standing up for working people and small businesses to help them create jobs and turn our economy around. He worked to create a climate of innovation where entrepreneurs can thrive, take root in our community and invest in Michigan.

Prior to joining the Michigan House of Representatives, Jim led national marketing and sales for Ford Motor Company’s $4 billion minivan business, after which he founded his own consulting business that specializes in helping companies and other organizations grow and create jobs.

Jim served as the executive director of the Tourism Economic Development Council, where he guided a 10-year strategy for increasing Southeast Michigan’s tourism economy by $3 billion per year. He also founded and directed the Michigan Suburbs Alliance, a nonprofit organization devoted to revitalizing and reinventing developed communities.

Jim Townsend’s Ideas

Preservation First

Problem Michigan is struggling to find resources to fix its crumbling roads and public support for spending more money on transportation infrastructure is dwindling unless […]

Infrastructure | Jim Townsend | Former Representative | Royal Oak, MI

Land Value Taxation

Problem As in most states, the current system for how land is taxed in Michigan does not encourage investment in unused properties. This lack of […]

Jobs and Entrepreneurship, Smart Government | Jim Townsend | Former Representative | Royal Oak, MI

Economic and Fiscal Impact Statement for All Road Capacity Expansions

Problem The general lack of public confidence in government’s ability to make wise investment decisions in transportation leads to underinvestment in such projects, reducing the […]

Infrastructure | Jim Townsend | Former Representative | Royal Oak, MI

State Bar for Teaching

Problem For more than a generation, America has struggled to improve our public schools–especially in our poorest areas. This hurts all of us, because our […]

Education | Jim Townsend | Former Representative | Royal Oak, MI

Latest News

  • NewDEAL Forum Launches National Initiative to Defend Democracy

    “If democracy is to be strengthened, we must address the needs of state and local officials,” says Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDEAL Forum.                 […]

    READ MORE

  • Zach Wahl's Op-Ed in The Gazette: Collective climate action is needed

    Collective climate action is needed by Zach Wahls May. 18, 2022 12:13 pm In the early 1980s, an innovative effort led by a bipartisan group […]

    READ MORE

Recent News

NewDEAL Forum Launches National Initiative to Defend Democracy

May 25, 2022
“If democracy is to be strengthened, we must address the needs of state and local officials,” says Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO of the NewDEAL Forum.                 […]
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Forum-logo-final.png 872 1826 Jordan Smith https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd-300x74.png Jordan Smith2022-05-25 14:35:092022-05-25 14:35:35NewDEAL Forum Launches National Initiative to Defend Democracy

Zach Wahl’s Op-Ed in The Gazette: Collective climate action is needed

May 18, 2022
Collective climate action is needed by Zach Wahls May. 18, 2022 12:13 pm In the early 1980s, an innovative effort led by a bipartisan group […]
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Wahls.jpg 300 300 Jordan Smith https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd-300x74.png Jordan Smith2022-05-18 17:51:572022-05-18 17:52:08Zach Wahl’s Op-Ed in The Gazette: Collective climate action is needed

NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s Op-ed in The Well News: Lessons for Pragmatic Leaders From Mallory McMorrow’s Viral Speech

May 11, 2022
May 10, 2022 by Debbie Cox Bultan, CEO, NewDEAL Lessons for Pragmatic Leaders From Mallory McMorrow’s Viral Speech COMMENTARY Many people felt a political earthquake […]
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DCBMcMorrow.jpg 500 1000 Jordan Smith https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd-300x74.png Jordan Smith2022-05-11 13:00:582022-05-11 13:01:17NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan’s Op-ed in The Well News: Lessons for Pragmatic Leaders From Mallory McMorrow’s Viral Speech

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