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Economic Recovery and Comprehensive Community Development

Andriana Abariotes, Executive Director of Twin Cities LISC, writes a piece on the importance of place-based comprehensive community development to regional economic recovery in the St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce blog.

24 Feb 2011 - Andriana Abariotes

Excerpt:

As federal and state government tries to aggressively stimulate job creation, it’s worth remembering that jobs are only part of the solution. Even with new jobs available-if people don’t have the skills required by those jobs or transportation to reach those jobs, the solution fails.

Job creation is central, there’s no doubt. Not just with large employers, but also jobs in small businesses and start-ups that help fuel both innovation and the economy. Individual entrepreneurism deserves our strongest encouragement. According to a recent study by the Kauffman Foundation, all net job growth in the U.S. since 1977 has been due to start-ups.

Skill training is critical, too. Most new jobs will require specific abilities and higher levels of education than in the past, creating a significant “skills” gap between jobs and the education level of much of the current and future workforce.

And let’s not overlook access to transportation. Jobs will be created throughout the region, including suburbs and exurbs where affordable housing may be scarce and urban transit systems may not reach. That makes it difficult for low-income workers to live near their jobs or find transportation to reach them. Continued[+]...

>Read the full St. Paul Area Chamber of Commerce blog