November 19, 2014

> Noon-time Talks with the Planning Department

It has become increasingly clear that in order to have a sustainable economy in Atlantic City, we need 2 things:

  1. To diversify the economy
  2. To ensure the opportunities that come with that diversified economy are available to local businesses and workers

The reason that is so important is:

  • The current average median household income in AC cannot support market rate housing, hence substandard
  • Cannot support the local businesses
  • How can we be successful as a destination if just beyond the tourist areas, and even in the tourist areas we have blight, folks with unmet social service needs, poverty and unemployment.

These problems seem overwhelming, but true economic development and job creation eliminate many of the issues.

Today we are going to discuss how to get there…quite simply, how do we connect the economic opportunities with the local workforce.

Welcome to the 6th monthly noon time talk. The purpose of these discussions is to create a common vision for development in Atlantic City.

I’m going to talk for about 15 – 20 minutes then we can hear from you.

First question, what are the economic opportunities? Projects we know, and projects we are pursuing.

Projects we know –

  • City infrastructure projects – $70M including seawall and boardwalk, Sandy repairs to parks and playgrounds, paving projects,
  • CDBG funds for housing rehab
  • 239 units of affordable housing funded partially through sandy
  • 250 units on Pauline’s Prairie
  • Bass Pro opening in spring

Projects we are pursuing

  • Call centers
  • Medical school
  • Stockton college (30% of college jobs for HS graduates)
  • Fishing industry expansion– need dredging and dock up
  • Gardners Basin and Caspian Point
  • Technology jobs

There are three larger initiatives that the city is doing to get you connected with what we know and what we are pursuing?

  1. In July, City Council adopted Ordinance 44 First Source Employment Linkage for those doing business to afford a minimum of 40% of the worker hours to be filled by AC residents, “to the greatest extent possible”. The 40% is not a requirement but a goal, consistent with the State bidding laws.

What is required is a plan indicating how the contractor will seek local workers, also, semi annual reports need to be submitted during the term of the contract.

The key to the success of this initiative is making sure the contractors are connected with local workers.

  1. Public outreach – on tonight’s City Council agenda is an authorization to solicit companies that specializing in getting small businesses registered to do business with government.
  2. Proper paperwork,
  3. insurance
  4. knowing where to find the bid announcements.

The program will follow the Sustainable Jersey action “support local business”, of which we are certified.

  1. Mayor’s Employment and Job Training Program based on career pathways model…systems for training, educating, transitioning and advancing populations of works based on industry and business specific workforce needs.

Partners include ACCC, One Stop Career Center, Workforce Investment Board, Housing Authority, school District, ACIT, Community and faith based organizations, the Chamber of Commerce, CRDA, Stockton and many others.

The targeted industries are:

  • Health
  • Administrative
  • Construction
  • Green energy
  • Fitness
  • Retail
  • Restaurant
  • Security

Work together to determine emerging industries, how do we get them here.

State Application

The state has applied for a Federal National Emergency Grant for the following

  • ESL training,
  • GED and
  • Adult Basic Education to get back into the workplace.
  • Wage reimbursement to hire full time workers

If approved, there isup to $30M in training fundsand wage reimbursement to help put people back to work in full-time positions.

ACCC

Currently, ACCC has Title II funds and are enrolling students in ESL at the Atlantic City Campus at no-cost.

ACCC is training many job seekers in a variety of programs including Entrepreneur Training, Culinary, Computer Technician, Line Surveyor- Gas Industry, and an array of medical programs. More programs will start again in January and February.

Atlantic Cape, along with 19 other community college is working with the New Jersey Council of Community Colleges on a grant that will provide wage reimbursement for employers for hiring those unemployed who meets minimal skills but needs additional training while working.

One-Stop in Pleasantville

  • funding for training that leads to a career in an in-demand occupation. Those who are unemployed can qualify for $4000 in training. Process starts in Pleasantville. Our career training programs are eligible for this funding.

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