During his tenure as Mayor of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Ben saw how a small, tangible step — like converting streetlights to energy-efficient LEDs — could save thousands of taxpayer dollars each year. Motivated in part by a coalition of other small-town mayors in the area, Ben recognized how these savings could translate into other investments, like improving local parks, libraries, or even installing solar energy on public buildings.  

Ben knows practices like these aren’t just good for the community, they’re good for business too. “Sustainability isn’t just about saving the planet,” he says. “It’s about creating opportunities for rural communities to thrive economically and socially.”  

As a restaurateur during the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his wife incorporated sustainability into their businesses by prioritizing local supply chains and creating a community hub during the shutdown that doubled as an incubator for food entrepreneurs. “Local businesses sustain more than the economy, they build community and inspire innovation,” he says. After one municipal liquor store in the area went solar, they introduced a new tagline that nods to the state’s brewery culture: We chill your beer with the sun. 

Today, as Director of Civic Partnerships at the West Central Initiative, a regional non-profit dedicated to community-led solutions for local issues ranging from economic development to environmental sustainability, Ben is bringing his experience as an elected official and entrepreneur to foster collective action for the common good. His advocacy for SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) is just one example of the way civil society can help achieve the SDGs and have an immediate impact on people’s lives.  

He’s also a big believer in rural-urban partnerships to ensure inclusive progress. “There are a lot of opportunities in the clean-energy transition, but if they’re seen as only benefiting urban areas, it’s going to further exacerbate the rural-urban divide,” he points out. 

Growing up in a state known for its many lakes, prairies, and woodlands, Ben sees why rural communities like his are such vital contributors — and vocal champions — for sustainable development.  “The natural beauty here compels us to act,” he says. “By protecting our environment and empowering our people, we can redefine what’s possible for rural America.” 

— M.J. Altman, United Nations Foundation