Zak Amin

My diverse background and extensive experience uniquely prepare me for the Moorhead City Council role. Arriving from Iraqi Kurdistan in 2015 as a translator for U.S. military police, I gained profound cultural insights and an understanding of immigrant challenges. My educational achievements, including degrees in business and teaching ESL, coupled with roles as an administrative assistant, program manager, and English Learners teacher, provide a strong foundation for addressing community needs. My active involvement in advocacy and recognition with the Moorhead Human Rights Award underscores my commitment to inclusivity and effective community service.

If elected to the Moorhead City Council, my top three priorities would be:

• Enhancing Inclusivity and Community Engagement: I will work to ensure every resident, especially immigrants and marginalized groups, has a voice in shaping our city. This includes fostering greater community involvement and creating more accessible platforms for feedback and participation.

• Improving Access to Education and Employment: I aim to strengthen partnerships between local businesses and educational institutions to provide better job training and employment opportunities. I will also advocate for initiatives that support career development and lifelong learning for all residents.

• Expanding Affordable Housing: Addressing the critical need for affordable housing is essential. I will work to develop and support policies that increase the availability of affordable housing options, ensuring that all families have a stable and secure place to live.

• Affordable Housing: With rapid growth and rising costs straining the market, I will advocate for policies that incentivize affordable housing development and support low-income housing initiatives, working with developers to create inclusive options.

• Economic Disparities: Growing inequality affects education and job access. I plan to enhance business-education partnerships to improve job training and support small businesses and local entrepreneurship.

• Community Integration: As our community diversifies, I will promote programs celebrating cultural diversity, encourage dialogue between groups, and focus on effective support services for immigrants and minorities.

Addressing these proactively will ensure a more inclusive and resilient Moorhead.

To address the skilled trades workforce shortage, I propose enhancing partnerships between schools and businesses to expand apprenticeships and internships. Increasing funding for vocational training programs will ensure that students receive quality education and hands-on experience. I will also support streamlined certification and licensing processes for skilled workers, including those from out-of-state or abroad.

Additionally, promoting careers in trades through awareness campaigns and providing incentives for businesses investing in employee training will help attract and retain skilled professionals. These strategies will build a robust workforce and meet the growing needs of our local industries.

As a local elected official, my role in addressing the housing shortage involves several key actions. First, I will advocate for policies that offer incentives to developers for constructing affordable housing and revise zoning laws to support higher-density and mixed-use developments. Increasing funding for housing projects and streamlining the permitting process will help accelerate construction.

Additionally, I will engage with community stakeholders to ensure new developments are inclusive and meet diverse needs. By taking these steps, we can work towards meeting the region’s need for over 16,000 additional housing units in the next decade and support a thriving community.