DIXON, CA (MPG) - Not too many city employees would say that COVID was a good thing for their job but administering COVID Relief Funds to local businesses who lost sales and employees is at the top of Larry Burkhardt’s list of feel-good accomplishments. Burkhardt, the Economic Development/Grants Manager for the City of Dixon, is retiring after nearly five years.

“I was happy to provide the COVID Relief Funds,” he said. “It was the most impactful thing I’ve done here.”

He takes with him a wealth of experience that started with eleven years on the elected side of city administration as a City Councilman then Mayor in Longmont, Colorado. He attributes his success as a “Community Builder” to his ability to know and understand both views: from the elected perspective as well as the city management side.

His first major success in economic development was at Upstate Colorado, a Greely-based firm that recruits companies, where his career was cemented with a monumental success. It came when he assisted in getting Vestas America, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturing plant, in selecting Weld County in Colorado, to build their three manufacturing plants there after the company had considered 70 other locations.

“It was a huge project and required coordinating with state and regional officials,” he said. The company brought in 100 people to do a job fair, and Burkhardt was late. When he opened the doors and walked in, he was astonished. There were dozens of tables set up for the various departments and he felt the enormity of it.

“They were bringing 2,000 blue- and white-collar jobs and here were all these people who were going to be able to support their family, buy a home, and send their kid to college—and I had a hand in it,” he said. “It was my best day ever.”

This grandfather of three has not limited his professional interests to just growing communities, however. He is an author, accomplished musician and singer and even had a regular radio program for local, regional, and national audiences. His hobbies include singing, playing guitar, gardening, and he wants to learn how to play the Banjo.

“I sang the national anthem at the Colorado Rockies vs. Tampa Bay Rays game, and we sang at our daughter’s wedding,” he said as he stood in front of what most would call a ‘wall of fame.’ The large plaque featured a color photo of him at the mic with an engraved date of June 16, 2009.

Also on the wall is recognition for being a blood donor—that was when it was at 50 gallons in 2009. The awareness of the need came from his working 11 years in a small Colorado hospital when he was younger.  He gives donations every couple of weeks.

“My goal is 100 gallons,” he said. “I’m at 96.”

Burkhardt is planning to do a lot more traveling in retirement.

“I’ve been to 35 countries and would love to get to the southern hemisphere like New Zealand and Argentina,” he said. “I have plenty to do. I’ve worn many hats and enjoyed it very much. I’ve enjoyed advancing the businesses of Dixon. Dixon has a lot going for it and it has very committed citizens to improving and advancing it.”

What he certainly won’t miss:  the hour-long commute to and from Dixon from his Roseville home.

Burkhardt received only praise and accolades for his work in Dixon at the last City Council Meeting.