NEW ULM — Ward 4 City Councilor Larry Mack is seeking a third term on the council to support businesses and finish the comprehensive plan.

Born and raised in New Ulm, Mack is a sixth-generation native of New Ulm and a graduate of MSU/South Central Technical College Mankato. He has worked at 3M for more than 23 years as a tool and die maker. He was elected Ward 4 city councilor in 2014.

Mack serves on the city’s Planning Commission, Blight Oversight Committee and the Sister Cities Commission.

He is the past vice chairman of the RENU Oversight Committee and a former board member for the Heritage Preservation Commission. He was the president of the Junior Pioneers and is now a Park Project Committee member.

Mack is a board member for Brown County Historical Society and a Building Committee member for The Grand Center for Art and Culture. He volunteers for local events like Bockfest, Hermannfest, Oktoberfest and Bavarian Blast.

If re-elected, Mack said his top priorities are supporting businesses of all kinds, expanding workforce housing and revitalizing downtown New Ulm.

“I think it is important we retain our current business before we go out and look for new business,” he said. “We have to continue reinvesting in what we have and look for what else is needed in the community.”

Mack believed rebuilding the city’s inner core was important and he supported private developers who are renovating downtown, including the work at Inspire, the former Herberger’s building and Kaiserhoff.

Mack cited the need for housing as a huge concern. It is an issue he sees through his work at 3M. He said a lot of the younger talent working in New Ulm cannot find a place to live. After a few years, these employees tire of the commute and get hired elsewhere.

“It would be an asset if we could get those people to be residents and keep those tax dollars in our community,” he said.

Mack believes a greater number of housing options are needed for all ages to meet workforce demands.

Planning for the city’s future is a major component of supporting business and expanding housing. It is for this reason Mack is focusing attention on the city’s new comprehensive plan. Work has already begun on the new comp plan and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2023.

“That’s one of the reasons I am running,” he said. “I’ve already been on the Zoning Commission for 10 years, and I would like to finish that work.”

The comprehensive plan will serve as the framework for how New Ulm will grow for the next 10 years. The plan will help determine where housing will expand in the city for the next few decades. One of Mack’s priorities is to get community input on the comp plan.

“I think with that comp plan we need to include the younger generation,” he said. “They are in high school now, they’re going to college, and if they want to come back to our community, it is important to get their input.”

Another issue Mack has been hearing about from voters is the need to invest in the Hermann Monument. He said many people are passionate about Hermann and the city will need to seek options for funding restoration.

Mack believed the city’s overall budget will be a major issue this year due to the impacts of inflation. He said the city will have a lot to maintain and keep sustainable.

Asked why he is the best candidate for Ward 4 city council, Mack cited his experience.

“I already have eight years of experience, 10 years experience on zoning,” he said. “I like to sell myself as an approachable, reliable go-to resource for all residents of New Ulm,” he said. “I am ready to continue planning for the city’s best future.”