ReFresh Milwaukee

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How This Supports Job Creation t Working with the community to identify local job growth sectors, and then support sector growth through City development, increases economic opportunity.

t Connecting underused human capital with job centers creates access to job opportunities.

t Expansion of youth program investments not only leads to direct, short-term jobs, but also helps youth to better market themselves for gainful long-term employment.

How This Supports Education t Connecting youth with area business leaders demonstrates that good-paying jobs and companies of influence are accessible and attainable.

t Developing a culture of entrepreneurship and appropriate curricula will prepare Milwaukeeans to start small businesses and innovative endeavors.

t Educating Milwaukeeans on the importance of diversity and inclusion will help break down barriers to advancement and connection between residents.

How This Supports Stronger Neighborhoods t Greater access to employment will strengthen families and increase investment in our neighborhoods.

SOURCES & LINKS U.S. Census Bureau. 2006-2010. American $PNNVOJUZ 4VSWFZ 4FMFDUFE 1PQVMBUJPO 5BCMFT %1

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Expand transitional jobs opportunities Transitional jobs offer disadvantaged, yet demonstrably dedicated, job seekers, who are unable to find a private sector job, access to a wage-paying job at a community-based organization. Like Youth Employment programming, the jobs pay minimum wage and are time limited, with structured support to improve soft and hard skills so that individuals can move into the private labor market.

Model City Business Development Agency policies on Menomonee Valley Industrial Center Wage policies Menomonee Valley Industrial Center Wage policies can serve as a model for all City redevelopment projects. In addition, businesses receiving aid from City resources should explore the benefits of qualifying for the internationally recognized and accepted ISO 26000 Social Responsibility standard.

Provide active support of entrepreneurship by City departments Recent developments in Milwaukee are putting the City on the radar screen when it comes to supporting new start-up businesses. As the City restructures the Office of Small Business Development, it should explore strategies to grow new businesses that are connected to global export markets, our strongest local industrial sectors, and our largest anchor businesses. As an additional means of supporting diverse business start-ups, the City will increase access to local resources for those not typically engaged with local government agencies. For example, the City could reserve space in City redevelopment projects or in under-used City facilities to incubate small minority businesses, with shared office space and shared office support staff. As a first step, the City should develop streamlined business license processing, registration and start-up-service instructions in multiple languages on the City’s website.


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