City planning staff told the committee they will start a developer training program in spring, using Urban Land Institute materials and guest speakers to train local prospective developers.

Brian, city staff member, said the program will include monthly meetings, purchased texts and guest speakers to teach how to develop residential and commercial subdivisions. "We're going to provide some training courses to them through the Urban Land Institute," he said, and invited interested people to contact his office.

Staff and committee members said the program responds to an observed shortage of local developers following an earlier boom period when many developers were from outside the area. Tyler, a planning committee participant, asked whether the city had an inventory of buildable lots; staff said a recent assessment found more than 1,000 platted lots without infrastructure and roughly 300 buildable lots remaining, noting that more than 100 of those have been developed since the study.

Committee members suggested partnerships for the training. Alderman Paul Pittner and others raised the Minot Association of Builders, Minot State University and other community partners as potential long-term hosts once the city launches the initial sessions. Brian said the city would kick off the program and invite stakeholders to take the baton if a different group wishes to continue it.

The committee did not take formal action; staff said it will begin course development this spring and will engage community partners in curriculum and recruitment.