Jobs and Economic Development Group - May 20

A City That Works - May 20, 2008
Jobs and Economic Development Discussion Group at 3901 Market St.

Overall, the evening went very well. The citizens were interested, engaged and passionate about sharing their opinions. The group was made up of typical citizens. As before, each person brought a different perspective.

-- Ellen Greenberg

What does this goal mean to you?

• Children and grandchildren will be working to clean up the city (i.e. gardening, beautifying the city, etc.) instead of standing around doing nothing.  They will be taught skills and responsibility and will have a sense of a job well done.

• Upon completion of college, you will be able to get a job in which you can accelerate (or be able to start your own business).

• Philly will have the business opportunities that will have college grads stay in Philadelphia (i.e. biotech, green jobs, locally grown, etc.).

• Able to better connect existing residents (specifically those from low wealth/income communities) to the life-sciences industry.  Also connect older and younger residents to job opportunities.

• Able to support yourself in the arts community; people are able to make a living wage in the arts.

• The concept of sustainable economic development is front and center.

• Jobs are available for ex-offenders.

• Make sure that we’re looking at the full spectrum of "green" opportunities. For example, kids building houses that are LEAD certified and who then receive money for college from the money received from the sale of the houses.

• Make sure we’re thinking about the life cycles of our citizens. (Connect youth to older generations and vice versa.)

• Create a city version of AmeriCorp for Seniors.  The money that would normally go to the students’ education would instead go to something relevant to the senior citizens.

• Licenses (at a reasonable cost) for painters, builders, contractors, etc.

• Make sure that education is available so people can get jobs, earn money and make a living. (A culture of lifetime learning will be present in the city).

Performance measures (What success would look like)

• Increase the number of new jobs created.

• Decrease unemployment.

• Increase the number of living-wage jobs.

• Increase the percentage of living-wage jobs over time as a percent of the whole.

• Increase the amount of money invested in the "green" economy.

• Increase the number new and existing jobs considered to be “green.”

• Increase the amount of money spent for city procurement of local green materials.

• Increase the number of college grads that stay in the city.

• Increase the number of high school grads.

• Diversify the economic base of the city – increase the number of existing sectors/markets.

• Remove penalties for those who are self-employed.

• Increase the number of summer jobs for kids.

• Increase the literacy rate (including technical literacy).

• Increase the retention level of Philadelphia Businesses.

• Decrease the number of people loitering on the streets.

• Increase the number of free or low-cost learning opportunities and apprentice programs (connects to the earlier idea of creating a culture of lifelong learning).

• Increase the number of people in apprentice programs.

• Increase the number of jobs available for folks who complete apprentice programs.

• Increase the number of seniors still in the workplace and who continue to contribute.

• 311-type program for social programs (training, skills, americorp, etc.).

Customer-service standards

• Make information easy to access (regardless of your profile/demographic).

• Government officials visit communities regularly (and not to politicize).

• Make sure the process is open to anyone who is interested in being involved – transparent application process.

• One-stop, city-run office where business owners and small-company owners can go to get the information they need.

• Streamlined process for licensing and inspections.

• Waive the business tax for first-time business owners during their first year of business.

• Web-based program that will provide information – all you need to know to open a business.

• Make it easier to pay taxes: Tell me how much I owe so I can pay it and let me pay it online.

• Make sure the person you’re talking to understands what you’re talking about. (Customer-service reps will be well trained.)

• If you’re not a people person, don’t work in customer service.

• Feedback on the strategic plan will be available.