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Ext. PublicationAdvocate or Adversary: Building Connections Between Public and Private Sectors | Podcast
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The Business of Government
When business and government struggle to align, communities often feel the impact, from infrastructure delays to pressure on public services. In this episode of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, Business of Government, Adam Jones sits down with Marlisa Briggs, president of the North Houston Association, and Kiley Holbrook, director of consulting services at Weaver, to explore how public and private sectors can work together more effectively. The conversation centers on communication, shared priorities and the challenges of balancing growth and limited public resources.
Key Points:
- Trust and communication are essential for strengthening successful public‑private collaboration.
- Business and government interests have more in common than they may initially seem.
- Population growth is putting added pressure on infrastructure and limited public funding.
The discussion begins with a closer look at what drives successful infrastructure projects beyond the technical details. Marlisa shares that while infrastructure projects often begin with technical discussions, long‑term success depends on human connection. Regular, informal interaction between developers, engineers and public officials helps lower barriers and builds mutual understanding. “Those nontechnical conversations are almost as, if not more, important than the technical ones,” Marlisa notes, emphasizing how these interactions help build trust and transform how challenges are approached.
The conversation then shifts to how these relationships play out in practice. Kiley brings a dual perspective shaped by experience in both county government and private industry. She challenges the idea that business and government priorities are naturally at odds, describing many issues as misalignment rather than true opposition. “The breakthrough is really where they find where that alignment is, and they do that together,” she says, reinforcing the importance of finding common ground.
As the discussion continues, they explore the pressure facing high‑growth regions like Greater Houston, where an increasing population is outpacing available funding. Marlisa and Kiley touch on why counties often struggle to meet expectations typically associated with cities and how misconceptions about government roles can slow progress. The episode highlights the need for continued dialogue, realistic expectations and collaboration, keeping the public interest at the center.
Subscribe and listen to future episodes of Weaver: Beyond the Numbers, The Business of Government, on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
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