Economic & Workforce Development Sub-committee Recommendations
Economic & Workforce Development Sub-committee Recommendations
Welcome. On this page, you will find draft Economic and Workforce Development Sub-committee Recommendations. There are goals and strategies for the recommendations drafted by the Economic and Workforce Development Sub-committee for your review and comment. In the sidebar you will find the Sub-committee Vision Statement along with contact information for the subcommittee facilitator.
Thank you in advance for your input and participation.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Please read through the draft goals and strategies developed by the subcommittee. Below each goal, you can share whether you agree with this goal or not. Below each strategy, you can comment on whether you think this strategy accomplishes the goal or whether there are other strategies you want to share.
- You are also able to provide comments via email, text message or voicemail, if you prefer. Text R672 to 885-925-2801 or for voicemail dial 855-925-2801, enter code 8712 and follow the prompts. You may email your responses to [email protected].
- Here are some general questions to help guide your thoughts:
1) Which of these goals and strategies stand out as being the most important to you? Which ones do you think will make the biggest difference in your community?
2) Are there goals or strategies that are missing here that are important to you?
3) What work is already being done on these in the community that can either be built upon or uplifted?
GOAL 1:
BUILD CAPACITY OF ENTREPRENEURS TO START, GROW, AND SCALE THEIR BUSINESSES
Strategy 1:
Establish technical assistance "outposts" within the Ward to provide tailored support to entrepreneurs. To spur the growth of minority-owned and female-owned businesses, we should make available accounting and legal resource clinics for local entrepreneurs (online or in community spaces located in the community).
Strategy 2:
Raise awareness of existing resources and technical assistance offered through local CDFIs, government and nonprofit agencies, such as Capital Impact Partners, LEDC, DSLBD, LISC, WACIF, and Urban League.
Strategy 3:
Create “community shared space” for 1-stop business advice and guidance – either in a physical space (e.g., Makers Space on Nannie Helen Burroughs/Deanwood Grow) or a digital home
GOAL 2:
INCREASE ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR ENTREPRENEURS AND SMALL BUSINESSES
Strategy 1:
Enhance entrepreneurs' business acumen and help small businesses obtain new skills on topics such as financial management, capital raising, and online/digital marketing.
Strategy 2:
Establish a place-based fund to capitalize ideas from community entrepreneurs and projects that directly benefit residents and businesses.
Strategy 3:
Source and promote funding opportunities outside of the traditional network, including large philanthropic groups, national, and federal resources (e.g., Healthy Food Financing Initiative).
GOAL 3:
MOBILIZE AND CONNECT THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY
Strategy 1:
Create outlets and hold event for small business owners to meet and network (e.g., Co-work, Coffee & Conversation, Sunday Dinners)
Strategy 2:
Create a centralized, publicly accessible digital directory of small businesses, including names, business specialization, and contact information
Strategy3:
Establish a community-led, small business constituent group to represent entrepreneurs/business owners on advocacy panels, existing economic development forums, and emerging business councils (e.g., Ward 7 Economic Development Advisory Council, East of the River Business Council via the Anacostia BID)
GOAL 4:
DEVELOP A FOCUSED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND PROGRAMMATIC AGENDA
Strategy 1:
Work with ANCs, Ward 7 leadership, and relevant government agencies to develop "TOPA for Business" legislation that gives business owners the first right to purchase the physical structure(s)/real estate where their businesses are located.
Strategy 2:
Utilize Community Benefit Agreements to offset displacement of small business by larger business entrants – e.g., X% dedicated toward small business upstart or investment.
Strategy 3:
Work with funding agencies to craft grant opportunities to match the needs of the area and offer technical assistance to applicants who may not have familiarity with grants and funding.
Strategy 4:
Advocate for the DC government to fund projects that have a "community mandate" that benefits residents and anchors small businesses.
Strategy 5:
Advocate to the DC Office of Planning, Board of Zoning officials for expansion of 3rd spaces and creative space activation, which can help entrepreneurs and business owners diversify their revenue streams.
GOAL 5:
BUILD A COMMUNITY-LED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION
Strategy 1:
Assess the landscape of legacy, community-based organizations and determine their capacity and ability to serve as a springboard for new and emerging economic development activities (e.g., Washington East Foundation, MHCDO, East River Strengthening Collaborative)
Strategy 2:
Assess the feasibility and sustainability of a Business Improvement District (BID) for the Greater Deanwood, Richardson Dwellings, Lincoln Heights, and Capitol View communities.
Strategy 3:
Organize a ideation group of business owners, entrepreneurs, and residents who are interested in researching and testing new business ideas that are of high interest/value to the community (e.g., shared commercial kitchen, arts and entertainment venue, etc.).
Strategy 4:
Conduct an economic development focused asset mapping exercise that maps current community needs, to existing and legacy businesses, and highlights gaps to be addressed.
GOAL 6: EXECUTE A PR/MARKING STRATEGY
Strategy 1:
Develop a community narrative that tells the story that residents want, using available data (e.g., Census, Comp Plan)
Strategy 2:
Create a dedicated website for residents to post and publish community-sourced content (e.g., small business stories, visionary and positive stories defining our neighborhoods)
Strategy 3:
Develop a community marketing strategy to outline the economic opportunities, competitive advantages for public and private sectors to invest capital and resources in the area. This info should be available on a website.
GOAL 7: ENHANCE WORKFORCE CAPACITY AND TRAIN FOR SKILLS OF THE FUTURE
Strategy 1:
Assess demand/need for a non-governmental workforce development center, like the Skyland Workforce Center in Ward 8
Strategy 2:
Broaden employment training offerings beyond the construction trades, to include other career and employment opportunities in areas such as ecommerce, coding, digital, analytics, etc.
Strategy 3:
Work with government, private agencies, and nonprofits to shrink the digital divide and increase broadband access in the community.
Strategy 4:
Encourage outreach and partnerships with industry and bring them East of the River – e.g., Amazon, Google, healthcare providers, General Assembly, Black Girls, Code/Women Who Code.
ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SIDEBAR INFO
Subcommittee Vision Statement: Greater Deanwood, Richardson Dwellings, Lincoln Heights and Capitol View is a self-sustaining, diverse, and restorative community committed to equitable community ownership, empowered local entrepreneurship, a resilient workforce, and building generational wealth.
Subcommittee Facilitator Contact Info:
Talayah Jackson
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