! !
Trained Work Force borhood Business Dis- Materials
! The Untapped Poten- tricts ! Locally-Based Sus-
tial of Vacant Buildings ! Practical Education tainable Living
for Students ! Community Council
! Entrusting Neighbor- Congress ! The City’s Role in
hood Assets to Local ! Community Redevel- Supporting Neighbor-
Stakeholders opment Trusts hoods.
Establishing a Trained Work Force for construction projects. In any form, the CRT
will serve as both a managing entity for
Multiple new rehabilitation projects will re- neighborhood assets and a way for residents
quire a labor force. Local contractors will be to invest directly in the community.
hired to oversee the rehabilitation work and
remediate hazardous materials. In exchange, Strengthening Neighborhood Business
the contractors will agree to provide living- Districts
wage jobs and vocational training opportuni-
Vital neighborhood business districts are es-
ties for unemployed and under-employed
sential to great communities. They provide
residents. The trainees will learn building
jobs, opportunities for neighbors to get to
trades, supervisory skills, and other profes-
know each other, and convenience. Shopping
sional skills such as accounting and project
at neighborhood stores is also a socially and
management. Since the projects will be located
environmentally responsible choice because it
in their communities, transportation to the job
supports a cluster of stores that many resi-
site will not be an obstacle for most workers.
dents can walk to rather than driving several
Cincinnati Public Schools and labor unions
miles. Stable business districts foster commu-
can support the training component by pro-
FRIENDS, viding facilities for evening classes and expert
nity pride and can be catalysts for some
neighborhoods to distinguish themselves as
instructors. Training for neighborhood pro-
destinations for cultural tourism, antiques
It is with great pride that we unveil our jects can also be integrated into unemploy-
shopping, night life, etc. Establishing a spe-
ment or re-entry programs. Residents who
“Comprehensive Neighborhood Rescue participate in the training program will gain a
cialized identity helps a neighborhood appeal
Plan” for the citizens of Cincinnati. to visitors and residents seeking a unique ex-
sense of ownership in their community and
perience.
can use the skills they learn to find permanent
We have spent the last two years jobs.
The anchors of neighborhood business dis-
studying the issues that face our City, tricts are locally-owned independent shops.
Practical Education for Students
trying our best to find realistic solutions By supporting and promoting locally-owned
that empower citizens, as opposed to the High schools’ curricula should include businesses, Cincinnati can reverse its negative
status quo of City Hall politicians giving instruction in practical skills (housekeeping, cash flow. Locally-owned businesses buy more
basic repairs, and money management) as of their supplies from nearby, and all of their
handouts to the favored few. well as optional vocational training classes. In profits stay in the community. By contrast,
order to retain more of the students who do stores with headquarters in far-away states
We hope you will spend some time not attend college after high school, schools send millions of Cincinnatians’ dollars to
considering our ideas, and we hope, when should offer a vocational track that will equip other cities every year.
it comes time to vote on Election Day, graduates with skills that will help them find
good jobs in addition to a diploma. With In order to increase the presence and impact of
you will cast your ballot for the
improved short-term prospects after locally-owned independent businesses, all of
candidates who have ideas best matched graduation, these young people may be in a the independent businesses in the city should
to your own. position to attend college or open their own organize an alliance that will function as a
businesses a few years later. Cincinnati Public mutual protection society, a networking vehi-
It is our firm belief that our collaboration Schools should also endeavor to have a school cle, and a political lobbying bloc. The city can
across party lines indicates the real operating in every neighborhood, at least support this alliance by promoting a “Shop
through the elementary level. Larger schools Cincinnati” advertising campaign that em-
moderate political stance for an phasizes the benefits of local ownership; by
serving multiple neighborhoods increase
independently minded Cincinnati – a travel times and exacerbate traffic congestion. giving purchasing and contracting preferences
stance not created by the artificial to businesses owned and operated by city
Community Redevelopment Trusts residents; and by sponsoring grants for stu-
constraints of big-money, corporate
dents graduating from UC’s College of Busi-
politics. In addition to building communities’ reserves ness who submit proposals for new businesses
of active skilled workers, the Neighborhood in a competition and commit to operating
Thanks for taking the time to review our Rescue Plan will also provide means for them here. Subsidies and other economic in-
plan, and thank you for your vote on holding property and cash in trust for the centives should be reserved for local busi-
community, in Community Redevelopment nesses. National big-box retailers already en-
November 6th!
Trusts (CRTs). A CRT may take various forms, joy a dominant market position that has put
from a simple bank account held by a great pressure on independent businesses, and
Respectfully yours,
community council or other existing group, to have no legitimate need for government assis-
an independent neighborhood bank. A tance.
neighborhood bank would be able to provide
a full range of financial services, such as low- At the neighborhood level, communities
Justin Jeffre and Michael Earl Patton
interest mortgages and micro-loans for local should identify businesses they would like to
entrepreneurs, free investment counseling, add to their business districts and advertise
and financial literacy classes. CRTs’ profits will widely for specific opportunities, seeking local
be used to support neighborhood projects. A entrepreneurs whenever possible. At the same
mature CRT can also provide staged financing time, they should identify the types of busi-