As the City faces its greatest stress in three decades, inclusive job creation efforts for city residents offer the best path forward.
In a letter sent to City Council and the Mayor today, the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and other community partners reached out to build a new partnership among government, business and the community that focuses on creating jobs for city residents as Philadelphia prepares to emerge from the lock-downs the COVID-19 virus necessitated. This new partnership seeks to address the biggest threats to the city’s future — its deep poverty, too high unemployment and slow growth of family sustaining jobs. The new outreach comes as City Council meets for the first time in the new year and the City faces the largest economic stresses it has confronted in three decades.
“[T]he COVID pandemic and the widespread job loss and business closures it has prompted has already had a deep impact on the City’s budget, our residents and businesses of every size. It is no understatement to say that the City hasn’t faced as significant a challenge in three decades, and every business leader is ready and eager to be part of the solutions to the city’s biggest problems by building a more inclusive, equitable, and growing economy.”
Sue Jacobson, Chair, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
Even prior to the sharp pandemic related job losses and business closures, Philadelphia was the poorest big city in the country, with the highest rate of deep poverty, and the city’s unemployment rate consistently trailed both Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s. Philadelphia’s job growth has also trailed the nation’s, with the majority of new jobs paying lower wages.
“Black and brown communities in Philadelphia have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 virus, further deepening the wealth gap. This initiative acknowledges the collective need to work towards a more inclusive economy for all Philadelphians as we look to move out of the pandemic. Having a partnership that aligns our efforts is necessary for Philadelphia’s economy and communities to recover and thrive.”
Regina A. Hairston, President & CEO, African-American Chamber of Commerce of PA, NJ & DE
The new partnership would integrate and build upon the work of the Chamber’s Recharge & Recover PHL initiative, a public-private inclusive economic recovery plan with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Mayor, and City Council along with 160 business and civic leaders. The inclusive economic recovery plan requires a local public policy agenda that will enable accelerated job opportunities for all Philadelphians.
In furtherance of this partnership, the Chamber and its members pledged, among other things, to re-skill and hire 5,000 unemployed citizens and increase business community spending with Black, brown, Asian and other local businesses.
“We believe the way for the City to grow out of the long-term impact of COVID, without unachievable or counterproductive service cuts or increasing taxes on people and businesses struggling with the impact of COVID, is increasing the number of new companies and growing existing ones. While established businesses are stepping up to help the City and its workers, a full recovery – one that increases inclusivity and opportunity – necessitates new business development.”
Will Carter, Vice President, Local Government Advocacy & Engagement, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
Key issues the new partnership will focus on are the consideration of legislation and regulations that will make it easier to create or sustain city jobs, including:
- Ensuring funding for a comprehensive neighborhood commercial corridor and small business recovery plan.
- Incentives for local procurement.
- Increasing the BIRT tax exemption for small and micro businesses.
- Restarting and accelerating wage and business tax reductions, which will benefit small business owners.
- Continuing regulatory reforms that make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business in the City.
Additionally, the Chamber and its members have offered to be a resource for government as it considers policy decisions, including government spending and operations to ensure that critical post-COVID services are being provided.
“A large number of the Asian small and microbusiness in Philadelphia are owned by first generation immigrants with employees who are at higher risk. They will face many unique challenges to recover such as language and cultural barriers, digital literacy and the COVID-19 stigma. This partnership will facilitate collective effort for safe and sound recovery for all businesses affected by this pandemic.”
Narasimha “Nick” B. Shenoy, President & CEO, Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Philadelphia
The new partnership would begin at an important time, as the aid from the federal and state governments that have kept many of the virus’s worst impacts from happening are scheduled to end in the coming weeks, and the City’s budget will continue to be seriously constrained. Success over the long-term will be measured by reductions in poverty and unemployment, while in the short-term measures like the number of new jobs created, citizens reskilled and hired, and commercial corridor businesses reopened will be key.
“Philadelphia faces enormous challenges and the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia, its members and partners are already taking action to build a more inclusive economy. We, Philadelphia’s residents, workers and business owners look forward to partnering with our local government in actualizing these efforts.”
Rob Wonderling, President & CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
