Nygren named new Kalispell planning director
Kalispell Senior Planner Jarod Nygren has been selected to fill the position of director of planning, building and community development for the city of Kalispell.
Nygren takes over for Tom Jentz, who retired from the planning director position on Dec. 5.
“Jarod Nygren has been with the city as senior planner for about five years and will be able to immediately take over the management of our current efforts and initiatives,” City Manager Doug Russell said in a prepared statement.
Nygren also has 15 years of planning experience, a master’s degree in Public Policy Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration and City Planning.
He said his goals in the upcoming months will be to fill the recently vacated senior planner position, finish the core area plan, including the removal of the tracks downtown and the addition of a multi-use trail, updating the Kalispell Transportation Plan and completing the Bike and Pedestrian Plan. “We’re going to be plenty busy next year,” he said.
The new planning director was chosen through an extensive selection process, including a public meet and greet with the final two candidates on Monday evening. The candidates were narrowed down to Nygren and former Flathead County Planning Director BJ Grieve.
“The city of Kalispell was pleased to have two very strong finalists in their search to replace retiring Planning Director Tom Jentz,” the press release stated.
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