Economic Mobility

Economic mobility is at the center of my vision for Modoc County. A healthy rural economy is not just about jobs; it is about whether families have the opportunity to build stable lives, raise children, and plan for their future in the communities they love.

Research consistently shows that a child’s future earnings can often be predicted more accurately by their zip code than by their talent or potential. That reality should concern all of us. Where someone grows up should not determine the limits of their opportunity.

Improving economic mobility in Modoc County means investing in the systems that allow families to move forward. That includes strengthening education pathways across the lifespan, expanding access to workforce training, improving infrastructure, and ensuring families have access to basic needs like housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and reliable transportation. When residents have the tools to succeed, businesses grow, communities stabilize, and the entire county benefits.

Public Health

Public health is often misunderstood as simply healthcare or hospitals, but in reality, it includes the conditions that shape everyday life. Everything is public health.

Education, housing, food security, transportation, environmental quality, culture, arts, and economic stability all influence the health of a community. Also healthy relationships, childcare, and social activities. When these systems are strong, people are healthier, children perform better in school, and local economies grow. When they are weak, communities struggle.

For Modoc County, strengthening public health means addressing the real challenges our residents face: access to healthcare services, behavioral health support, childcare, transportation, and fresh food. As an agricultural community that still experiences food access challenges, we must think creatively about solutions that connect local production with local families.

Improving public health is not just about wellbeing, it is one of the most powerful strategies we have to strengthen economic mobility and long-term prosperity.

Workforce Challenges

Like many rural communities across the country, Modoc County is facing a significant workforce challenge.

Nearly one-third of our population is over the age of 65, and many of our young people leave the county in search of education or career opportunities elsewhere. At the same time, local employers across agriculture, healthcare, education, and public service struggle to fill open positions.

Addressing this challenge requires a long-term strategy. We must expand workforce training opportunities, support local education programs, and create career pathways that allow young people to stay or return to Modoc County after completing their education.

We also need to prepare for the future by building a succession plan for our workforce. As experienced community members retire, we must ensure the next generation is ready to step into those roles and continue supporting our local economy.

Supporting Small Businesses

Small businesses are the backbone of Modoc County’s economy. They provide jobs, support local families, and help maintain the unique character of our communities. Did you know that more than 40 cents of every dollar earned in Modoc County is from self-employment?!

County government should work as a partner with local businesses, helping them navigate regulations, connect with resources, and access funding opportunities that support growth and stability.

Supporting small businesses also means strengthening the local workforce, investing in infrastructure, and promoting entrepreneurship so that residents who want to start or expand businesses can do so right here in Modoc County.

A thriving small business community strengthens our entire local economy.

Opportunity for Every Resident

Every resident of Modoc County deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or where they live.

Expanding opportunity means ensuring young people have access to education, career pathways, and mentorship. It means creating connections between our schools, training programs, and local employers so students can see a future for themselves right here in Modoc County.

It also means ensuring that voices across our community are heard in decision-making. Our Indigenous neighbors, rural families, and small communities throughout the county all deserve representation and inclusion as we shape the future of Modoc.

Opportunity grows when communities invest in people and remove unnecessary barriers that prevent individuals from reaching their potential.

Future of Modoc County

Modoc County has extraordinary strengths: a proud agricultural heritage, abundant natural resources, resilient small businesses, and a deep sense of community.

Our challenge is not a lack of potential; it is ensuring that we align our traditions with the innovation necessary to thrive in the future.

Rural communities across the country are finding ways to grow by embracing new ideas while protecting the values that define them. In Modoc County, that means supporting local entrepreneurs, expanding education and training opportunities, strengthening regional partnerships, and ensuring our county government works efficiently and strategically.

Tradition and innovation are not in conflict. When aligned, they create a powerful foundation for long-term prosperity.

Transparency

Trust in local government begins with transparency and accountability.

Residents deserve clear information about how decisions are made, how resources are used, and how policies affect their communities. Open communication and honest dialogue help ensure that government remains responsive to the people it serves.

At the same time, solving rural challenges requires collaboration. No single person, organization, or agency can address the complex issues facing our county.

Real progress happens when local government works together with schools, nonprofits, tribes, businesses, and community members. My approach to leadership is grounded in partnership, transparency, and the belief that the best solutions come from communities working together.