Richmond Economic Development Campaign
Research tells us that there are connections between gun violence, educational opportunity, and employment. Per capita, Richmond has the highest homicide rate in Northern California. At the same time there are major opportunities to dramatically impact the economic environment and reduce gun-related violence.
Richmond has various initiatives and innovative programs that seek to address unemployment and underemployment and which have the potential to provide pathways out of poverty. There is more that can be done to support and create quality jobs and training opportunities.
Sectors that have the potential for growth are those in the green economy. Richmond is poised to become a regional leader in new clean technology jobs, especially as it relates to energy efficiency and solar installation.
Through our work, we hope to expand pathways to employment. The first phase of our work, led by CCISCO will be to install solar panels on local churches and homes in the surrounding community. In addition, we have encouraged the city to hire 100 youth to complete energy audits and another 100 youth to work on a new urban agriculture network.
We are in the process of refining our comprehensive economic development platform and plan to launch this campaign in early 2010.
