OPINION:
The Trump administration’s biggest roadblock to roaring American economies is right under our noses.
Our nation’s inflation isn’t driven by egg or gas prices, but rather the escalating costs of building new grocery stores, renovating old industrial buildings and insuring highly-taxed apartments, hotels, gas stations and other job-creating commercial real estate in the first place.
The tragic Surfside condominium collapse in Florida reminds us that millions of aging, dilapidated and obsolete commercial and multifamily buildings require code-compliant renovation or ground-up replacement — yesterday!
One recurring economic nightmare from coast to coast is how slow, understaffed and incompetent zoning, planning and permitting offices really are. Across 3,200 U.S. counties, commercial approval backlogs are so severe that landlords, investors, builders and tenants are walking away.
Businesses large and small can no longer afford the costs and delays of renovating outdated town centers, industrial warehouses, medical facilities and other job-creating commercial structures that historically churn out community-sustaining paychecks.
America doesn’t lack capital, entrepreneurial spirit, architectural smarts or private-sector demand. What President Trump’s economy needs are local government approval leaders capable of matching the momentum of private renovation and construction experts.
Federal assistance is still needed “underground” — clearing, grading and sewering “rural dirt” — so that pad-ready developments can attract private investment from tenants both “above ground” and at their local bank.
Even trimming ugly, overgrown trees blocking shopping center visibility is now restricted by liberal environmental policies that hold our entire retail sector politically hostage across 50 states.
Trump’s administration must ’DOGE’ local zoning offices at warp speed, accelerating approvals, stimulating private investment, lowering construction costs — and strengthening election results come November.
As unnecessary barriers to commercial real estate maintenance, renovation and redevelopment are eliminated, President Trump’s golden age of America will truly begin overnight, organically.
BARON CHRISTOPHER HANSON
Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
Please read our comment policy before commenting.