Jobs & Economic Development

The Jobs and Economic Development Taskforce continues to ensure that new building projects in the city result in family-sustaining jobs for citizens located in the same vicinity. and challenged communities. Success stories include:

Action: Fought to pass a city ordinance requiring at least fourteen percent of jobs contracted by the Department of Public Works to remain reserved for unemployed residents of Milwaukee’s central city.

Results: the ordinance was later increased to twenty-five percent job reservation and hundreds of central city residents were hired.

Action: Developed the MICAH Banking Campaign involving 17 financial institutions in an aggregate commitment of $500 million to central city lending over a five year period.

Results: In cooperation with MICAH, lenders developed new marketing strategies, hired more minority loan officers, and changed their method of viewing credit history and debt ratio. By the end of a five year term, more than $700 million in central city lending had been actualized.

Action: Coordinated a neighborhood communication campaign promoting new job opportunities via the development of a Jewel Osco supermarket on 35th & North Avenue.

Results: Committee actions raised neighborhood awareness that resulted in pre-screenings for 350 new jobs.

Action: Established the Ezekiel Project to build affordable single family homes in the central city.

Results: Over 18 homes were built, transforming over xx renters in to new home owners.

Action: Led a coalition of labor and community groups to rally for prevailing wages, affordable housing and the use of disadvantaged business enterprises while redeveloping the Park East Corridor, an estimated $300 million project.

Results: Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors passed the Park East Redevelopment Compact (PERC), ensuring all of the addressed issues would be met.

Milwaukee Innercity Congregations Allied for Hope (MICAH)

Jobs & Economic Development