Jobs and Economic Development Discussion Group with the Phila. Chamber of Commerce

A City That Works - July 21, 2008

Overall the morning went very well, even with the alarm going off and the time being truncated. The citizens were interested, engaged and were thoughtful about sharing their opinions/perspectives. The group was made up of business people. As in past forums, each person brought a different perspective as well as a different understanding of the task at hand. With this group, there seemed to be more of a focus on the “big picture.” -- Moderator Ellen Greenberg

What does this goal mean to you?

• Business owners who operate outside of Philadelphia will have been enticed back into Philadelphia.

• More jobs for local Philadelphia residents.

• More small business start-ups from local Philadelphia residents.

• Vibrant commercial corridors where Philadelphia residents can receive their
goods and services both by walking and by using public transportation.

• Focusing on the importance of this area’s regional nature.

• Businesses will be working together (across regions).

• People will be moving between regions.

• Transportation needs will be met.

• Tourism will be thriving.

• To see Greater Philadelphia (the 5 county region) on the top 10 lists for both small businesses and to attract residents.

• Best place to live work and play.

• Development along the Delaware River will be in the process of being implemented.

Performance measures (What would success look like?):

• Business licenses increase: 10% over a two-year period and 20 percent over a five-year period.

• Commercial vacancies in mix-use neighborhoods (commercial corridors) decrease by 10 percent in two years.

• The percentage of citizens who make a living wage increases. (They weren’t sure of the percentage but thought it needed to be based on current research).

• Decrease the number of businesses who move from the city to the suburbs.

• Measure energy efficiency as an indicator of how good of a region this will be for businesses.

• Measure the growth in Green and related industries.

• More children in Philadelphia public school system (making Philadelphia
a hub for the middle class).

• Graduation rates increase from 50 percent up to 55 percent.

• Increase the number of local/regional magnet schools (like CAPA, Masterman, Culinary schools, business schools, etc.).

• Increase the number of jobs in specific clusters, i.e.: health, education, etc.

• Certification of minority owned businesses increases 5 percent over the next two years.

Customer-service standards:

• The process of starting a business needs to be streamlined.

• Should be able to get license within a certain period of time.

• The people who you go to for help getting a license should be helpful/knowledgeable.

• The people in the commerce department should have an understanding of the big picture.

• If the city alludes to a funding stream, the information needed to utilize that funding stream needs to be provided.

• Knowing where to go and who to talk to like in the Daily News, “Who You Gonna Call?”

• City puts out well-meaning goals (i.e. the recent diversity initiative put out by Mayor Nutter). Can’t
have unfunded mandates, or you need to have some other way to develop existing systems so organizations can meet the necessary requirements laid out by the mandates.

• Do what you say (on the cards, in the plan, in the speeches, etc.).

• Regardless of who the citizen is working with, the city worker (police, government clerk, etc) they know and understand the goals they are operating under.