Testimonials
Since helping push back on the Microsoft data center proposal in Caledonia, I have been contacted by many other communities for help. I have never turned down a request.
One request came from Howell Township Michigan. The person I worked with there sent me this open letter to the residents of Caledonia.
Feedback from the community
“Prescott Balch understands the impact numbers have on what happens to the residents of Caledonia. As a former Senior VP of a Fortune 100 company, he brings significant leadership skills that will help the Village navigate the balance between fiscal responsibility and caring for this unique community called Caledonia.”
Nancy Pierce, Caledonia Trustee
Feedback from other communities
These are testimonials from other people that I have helped with their data center proposals:
“Insightful, passionate, hard-working, determined and committed. Those were the first things that popped into my head when I thought of ways to describe Prescott Balch. Those are all important traits to possess as a public servant. But the one that really sets him apart in my book, is the generosity with which he shares that insight, passion, labor, determination and commitment. You couldn't do better for your community.” - Blaine Halverson, Menomonie, WI
“Leadership in public office has become a flashpoint around the country in recent years. I know this is true in Janesville (where I live) and I expect it is also true in Caledonia. We have all found examples of and struggled with community leaders who haven’t earned the trust the community placed in them. We have also found examples of quiet leaders - community members who don’t yet hold official responsibilities - who rose to the occasion when their communities had a need. They now represent the next generation of true public servants.
I met Prescott Balch through work I was doing with a data center proposal in Janesville, Wisconsin. In my opinion, Prescott is part of this new generation of local leaders whose focus is on building community and creating good local governance. Caledonia already has benefited from his years of business and tech experience, his understanding of risk analysis principles, and his ability to evaluate a project on its merit (rather than on a memo from city staff). He has dedicated an incredible amount of time to understanding and assisting Caledonia (and other communities like mine) as they struggle to wade through incredibly consequential development decisions with long-term community impacts. But what I’ve appreciated most in getting to know Prescott has been his generosity with his time and knowledge, his analytical mind and steadfast insistence that the community deserves transparency from its local leaders. Prescott believes your local government should work for you and is willing to put his own skin in the game to see it happen. I have complete confidence that he will serve the people of Caledonia with distinction.”
Cathy Erdman, Janesville, WI