Jacob Everett, a Muncie native and the Founder and CEO of Corsa Strategies, addressed the New Castle/Henry County Economic Development Board on Thursday, June 12, 2025. His presentation centered on his article, “NEW NIMBYism: A Threat to the U.S. Economy,” and the challenges it poses to economic growth.
Everett, who has deep roots in the East Central Indiana region, observed a concerning shift in community decision-making over the past two years. He noted that many communities are making choices that undermine the very foundations of progress, a trend he labels as “New NIMBYism.”
NIMBY, an acronym for “Not In My Back Yard,” has over decades represented the best of societal ideals (protecting vulnerable populations) to the worst (racism), Everett explained. However, he argued that in its current form the sentiment has evolved into a different type of destructive force. He expressed concern that public policy is increasingly being dictated by social media outrage rather than informed discourse guided by facts, subject matter expertise, and professional experience.
Successful business attraction is built on a foundation of effective local government, sustained momentum, strong leadership, robust collaboration, and clear policies. For local governments to spearhead business development, they must remain flexible and collaborative. This agility allows for the evolving needs of businesses and the community, fostering an environment where economic growth is actively encouraged. By leading with a cooperative approach, local governments can pave the way for a prosperous business landscape.
Everett shared the case of a data center that wanted to establish itself in Kosciusko County, Indiana. The project was thwarted by a small but vocal group of individuals who disseminated inaccurate information. Everett emphasized that projects are often derailed by a “loud minority,” which may represent as little as 0.3% of the population. The challenge, he explained, is that the potential beneficiaries of a new development—the individuals who might work at a new plant or the families who might live in a new housing development—are often unknown and therefore absent from public meetings to voice their support.
“Houses that haven’t been built can’t have people go to fight for a housing development because we don’t know who will live in those houses yet,” Everett stated, illustrating the inherent imbalance in such public debates.
A key takeaway from Everett’s presentation was the suggestion of a proactive approach to this issue. He proposed that public meetings could benefit from the presence of a neutral third-party mediator or facilitator. This individual would be tasked with steering the conversation, maintaining focus on the topic at hand, and ensuring that discussions remain productive and respectful.
Everett’s article, published in Area Development, delves deeper into this “New NIMBYism,” which he describes as being infected with a “lethal dose of disdain for facts” and a tendency to attack expertise. He writes that this new form of opposition often dismisses expert opinions in favor of unsubstantiated information found online, leading to a standstill in crucial community and economic development.
Corsa Strategies, the firm Everett founded, specializes in site selection, incentives, and renewable energy leadership. His work involves advising companies on location strategies and facilitating engagement between the public and private sectors to enable growth.