Post on 27-Dec-2015
FACT:Springfield has the lowest rate of employment in New England
Jobs in Springfield, Massachusetts: Understanding and Remedying the Causes of Low Resident Employment Rates
Federal Reserve of Boston, 2010
FACT: Families NOT Earning an Economic Independence
Wage [1]MEDIAN INCOME
Neighborhood Number of Households
Household Income Family Income
Nation 112,611,029 $51,425 $62,363
Massachusetts 2,465,654 $64,496 $80,822
Citywide 56,055 $34,113 $41,476
South End 1,484 $14,764 $13,962
Brightwood 2.003 $15,573 $19,247
Memorial Square 2,363 $16,226 $17,540
Maple High/Six Corners
3,737 $17,283 $17,583
Metro Center 4,531 $21,161 $20,184
McKnight 2,866 $24,909 $27,009
Bay 2,347 $26,563 $27,448
Upper Hill 3,281 $32,778 $35,360
[1] Census, America Community Survey (2009) 2005-2009 Median Income
• Example: Health and social assistance jobs (2006)
– 10,300 jobs in Springfield
– Only 1,500 held by Springfield residents
Skills Gap
The Need
• Entry level jobs matched to residents in need of employment
• Place-based jobs for the center city
• Jobs that provide a living wage• Revitalized, healthy neighborhoods with higher employment
The Available Resource:Anchor Institutions
• $1.5 billion a year in goods and services– Spent mostly outside the region
• Estimate: 90% spend outside the region
• Can we harness this for job creation?
A National Model for Job Creation:
Cleveland’s Evergreen Cooperatives
• A network of worker-owned green businesses supported by anchor institutions– Cleveland Clinic, Case Western University
• Economic development in Cleveland University Circle, with poor surrounding neighborhoods:– $18,500 median household income– unemployment 20%
• Providing jobs for hard-to employ people– 50% of employees are formerly incarcerated
Cleveland’s Evergreen Cooperatives
Launched 2009-2011
• Evergreen Cooperative Laundry• Ohio Cooperative Solar• Green City Growers Cooperative• Evergreen Business Services• GUC Neighborhood Voice
Pipeline
• 3-4 Next-Generation Businesses Annually
Key Lessons
• Anchor institution participation ensures steady demand
• Cooperatives are part of a business group that provides support, training, helps raise capital
• Long-term commitment to neighbor-hoods due to worker ownership
Wellspring Development Model
• Shift anchor institution purchases to center city neighborhoods
• Create a network of worker-owned companies– Place based – Provide a livable wage and benefits– Build assets
• Provide job training in skills and self-management
• Organize strong community ownership• Green development for healthy environment
Wellspring InitiativePartner Organizations
Lead Agencies
Center for Public Policy and AdministrationUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
Center for Popular EconomicsUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
Partners for a Healthier Community
Anchor Institution Partners
Baystate HealthMassachusetts Higher Education Consortium
Providence Health SystemSpringfield College
Springfield Technical Community CollegeUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
Western New England University
Community Partners
GreenWorksJobs with Justice
New North Citizens CouncilPioneer Valley AFL-CIOPioneer Valley Project
Development and Technical Partners
Common CapitalFederal Reserve Bank of Boston
Michael Kane ConsultingRegional Employment Board of Hampden County
Funding Partners
Baystate HealthMassMutual Foundation
Providence Health SystemRegional Employment Board of Hampden CountySpringfield Technical Community College
Third Sector New EnglandUnited Way of Pioneer ValleyUniversity of Massachusetts