Published: Jan 1, 2023 17:32:02
Updated: Jan 1, 2023 17:29:01
I read on the recorder that General City Councilman Penny Ricketts called for reconsideration of her vote on rezoning land in the French King Highway area that could support real “living wage” manufacturing jobs. I was.
Like many small businesses, the business that wants to be based there started small, but now has 200 employees and hopes to add more jobs. I hope. We understand that these jobs average $75,000 a year. Why can’t the city council support this homegrown success story?
In Greenfield, there is a need to have a dialogue on workforce development so that city council members who voted against support for rezoning should take the opportunity provided by Ricketts’ decision and call for a “rethink” on her vote. I have.
I used to work for a statewide advocacy network on the “Working Family Agenda”. The key to good economic development is not low-income retail jobs. A living wage job can cover all the rest, including health care, childcare, housing, transportation and food. Without a living wage job, any of these other essential factors could ruin your ability to hold a job! Yes, housing is important. But a living wage job is the key.
We all have the opportunity to learn something from this situation. I love my job at the Franklin County CDC. I call it “Little Engine that Could!” Their job is to help people with ideas develop their businesses and support business growth with loan funds, access to space, and more. .
Pamela Kelly
green field
