Our shared commitment to inclusive growth

On November 26, 2019, over 100 business and civic leaders convened at City Hall to present the PHL Neighborhood Growth Project’s (NGP) Inclusive Growth agenda to Philadelphia City Council.

NGP is a long-term initiative that advocates for inclusive growth for all neighborhoods. In order to achieve this, we must create good jobs that pay family-sustaining wages. Adding jobs is not just the best way to significantly reduce our city’s poverty — it’s the only way.

Over the course of the hearing, five panels of business and civic leaders provided testimony about the need for growth and discussion around NGP’s four policy pillars:

• Inclusive Growth and Good Jobs
• Education and Workforce Modernization
• Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods
• Putting People First at City Hall

Read the full testimony provided by each panel below and to learn how the business community is working to address the city’s poverty rate through policies and programs that support neighborhoods. A special thanks to City Council’s Commerce and Economic Development Committee for hearing our testimony: Councilmembers Curtis Jones, Jr., Cherelle Parker, Jannie L. Blackwell, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Kenyatta Johnson, Allan Domb, Al Taubenberger, Derek Green, and David Oh.

“The purpose of today’s hearing is to focus on what neighborhoods actually need — not a top down plan, but a grassroots up plan that begins to address Philadelphia’s biggest challenges: poverty and lack of jobs.” — Rob Wonderling, President & CEO, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

We kicked off the hearing with a panel of leaders who discussed how our city must grow to thrive:

• Steven Bradley, African American Chamber of Commerce for PA, NJ, & DE
• Sylvie Gallier Howard, City of Philadelphia’s Department of Commerce
• Jennifer Rodriguez, Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• Nick Shenoy, Asian American Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
• Zach Wilcha, Independence Business Alliance
• Rob Wonderling, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia

“Its focus on #entrepreneurship is one of the reasons we are excited to be members of @PhillyNGP. We will work together with other partners and business community to reduce poverty by helping businesses to grow in our neighborhoods.” — @AACCGP’s Nick Shenoy #PhillyRoadmap

— Chamber for Gtr PHL (@ChamberPHL) November 26, 2019

A special thanks to our partners for underlining the importance of Inclusive Growth and Good Jobs:

• John Grady, PIDC
• Paul Mason, David Mason + Associates
• Ashley Putnam, Federal Reserve Bank
• David Simms, Eatible Delights
• Shalimar Thomas, North Broad Renaissance

Thank you to Sharmain Matlock-Turner of the Urban Affairs Coalition for also submitting testimony.

“We are proud to be part of @PhillyNGP because we are committed to inclusive growth and are already implementing some of the changes needed to ensure that every community along North Broad Street has an opportunity to thrive.” — @ThinkBroad_’s @apeaceofpr #PhillyRoadmap

— Chamber for Gtr PHL (@ChamberPHL) November 26, 2019

A special thanks to our partners for underlining the importance of Education and Workforce Modernization:

• Hassan Charles, Year Up Philadelphia
• Mike Dershowitz, Fair Trade Outsourcing
• Jordan Parisse-Ferrarini, Trades for a Difference
• Lou Rodriguez, Rodriguez Consulting
• Bill Stockwell, Stockwell Elastomerics

“Philadelphia has talented workers, who just need to be given support and a chance. We shouldn’t allow them to fall into poverty because we didn’t do enough to give them both.” — @StockwellElasto’s Bill Stockwell #PhillyRoadmap

— Chamber for Gtr PHL (@ChamberPHL) November 26, 2019

A special thanks to our partners for underlining the importance of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods:

• Hector Ayala, Hispanic Community Counseling
• Peter Hotz, Vybe Urgent Care
• Michael O’Bryan, the Village of Arts and Humanities and Lindy Fellow
• Alonzo South, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

“I urge us all to make funding for neighborhood-based agencies that focus on community development a priority.” — Hector Ayala #PhillyRoadmap

— Chamber for Gtr PHL (@ChamberPHL) November 26, 2019

A special thanks to our partners for underlining the importance of Putting People First at City Hall:

• Pat Christmas, Committee of Seventy
• Joan Waters, COFCO Furniture

Thank you to Anna Shipp of the Sustainable Business Network for also submitting testimony.

“It’s hard to compete with businesses outside of city limits. Without your help we cannot continue to grow and create jobs.” — @COFCO_Office’s Joan Waters #PhillyRoadmap

— Chamber for Gtr PHL (@ChamberPHL) November 26, 2019

We are ready to have an honest dialogue about the challenges facing our city.

Join us in creating a shared prosperity in every corner of Philadelphia.