Jobs and Economic Development Discussion Group at Lutheran Seminary

A City That Works - May 13, 2008

This was a good-size group of about 17 people.  Folks generally had differences of opinion (naturally) but were respectful. Ideas flowed rapidly from person to person.  They were really listening to each other.  -- Moderator Benjamin Cromie

What does this goal mean to you/why are you here?

• Interested in promoting green jobs.

• Wants to encourage thriving business districts.

• Is a city planner.

• Has friends looking for work.

• The topic is related to other issues of interest: reform and small-business development.

• Wants economic development policy to help ex-offenders.

• Church supports GED programs.

• Interested in transit, job promotion, and sustainability issues.

• Wants to help ex-offenders, youth, seniors, employers through education.

• Wants creative solutions for full employment.

• Wants to learn more about others’ goals.

• Interested in city planning and real estate.

• Interested in the city economy.

• Is an entrepreneur.

Performance measures (What success would look like?):

• Fifty percent of kids 11-18 should have a job or be in a recreation, volunteer position, or internship over the summer.  (Or the city should create x number of opportunities.)

• Septa should provide safe, clean, reliable public transit.

• The city should ELIMINATE the gross profits tax.

• The city (L&I) should measure (and publish) its permits and new construction.

• The city should create two new green economic-development zones with tax breaks for companies that create green jobs (like the Empowerment Zones).

• The city should see an increase annually in new businesses (including relocations to the city).

• The city should focus on juvenile crime.

• The city should increase (or encourage an increase) in venture capital.

Customer-service standards:

• The city should publish the permits it gives (online)/

• The city should count and publish new businesses by type and track “hot” industries (to help set performance measures).

• Citizens should have concierge service; “one-stop shopping” like the proposed 311 program.

• Citizens should know what services are available.

• Everything should be online.

• People who need answers should be able to make appointments.

• They deserve a “quick turnaround.” They should have their questions answered quickly. (“No deli number; no lines.”)

• “No runaround!”

• All forms should be easy to use AND easy to find (online). The city should create a naming convention for forms to keep it simple.

• Publish neighborhood data. (Like policymap.org)

• Citizens and neighborhood groups should have access to community planners (from the City Planning Commission).

• The city (or a coalition) should create a clearing house of regional data.

• The city should create a 311 for businesses – a one-stop shop for all forms and policies.

• All streets should be clean and well-lit.

• SEPTA should be clean, safe, reliable and cheaper.  It should provide online trip planning capability.  It should also reinstate the shopper’s special.