In this episode of the Infrastructure Hot Seat podcast, host Chad Smeltzer welcomes Nick Egger, the Public Works Director for the City of Rosemount, Minnesota. The conversation dives into Nick's extensive involvement with the American Public Works Association (APWA), his journey into civil engineering, and the ongoing and future infrastructure projects in Rosemount that are shaping the city's rapid growth.
Nick shares his early career experiences and how an internship at the City of White Bear Lake pivoted his career path from mechanical to civil engineering. The discussion also covers Rosemount's exciting developments, such as the construction of a new public works and police campus and the arrival of Meta's $800 million data center. Nick provides insights into the challenges of growth, from infrastructure demands to labor shortages, and emphasizes the importance of technology and AI in the future of public works.
### Key Takeaways:
* **Involvement with APWA**: Nick’s 20-year journey with the APWA, including his rise to president of the Minnesota chapter, has been pivotal to his professional growth.
* **Career Path**: A serendipitous internship altered Nick’s career path from mechanical to civil engineering, showcasing the importance of hands-on experience in career decisions.
* **Rosemount Development**: Exciting developments, such as a new public works and police campus and Meta's major data center project, underscore Rosemount's rapid growth.
* **Technology and AI**: The potential for AI and new technology to revolutionize infrastructure planning, project efficiency, and public works operations.
* **Challenges and Opportunities**: Addressing labor shortages, managing budgets in times of inflation, and the importance of preemptive infrastructure planning in rapidly growing communities.