Last month, I attended the annual conference of the National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) in DC.  The theme this year was: “Not Just an Economy, a Just Economy.”  I have been a NCRC board director now for almost 20 years and have had the opportunity to discuss our local economy with numerous federal officials.  I will leave for another time to comment on the flaws and neglect that resulted in our national crisis in order to blog today on how we can and should rebuild our local and national economy.

Both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have bills pending to enact the “Project Rebuild Act.”  Senator Durbin and Representatives Gutierrez and Rush are among the Congressional leaders who support this initiative proposed by President Obama as part of the American Jobs Act to put people back to work by rehabilitating homes. Project Rebuild could create 200,000 jobs, redevelop at least 150,000 vacant properties, and stabilize home prices in communities throughout the country hit hardest by foreclosures and unemployment.

The Local Economic and Employment Development [LEED] Council here in Chicago has been refining our job training curriculum to teach the skills necessary to rebuild in the most energy efficient way.  We are exploring partnerships with both for-profit and non-profit developers to grow our transitional jobs program, Green LEEDers, into an on-going social enterprise. 

                  LEED Council’s Green LEEDers ready to rebuild green

The key to rebuilding communities is linking local residents to the employment created in restoring vacant properties for affordable housing. With jobs, people hardest hit will again be able to afford homes and only then will our local and national economy recover.

Project Rebuild should not be a partisan pawn held hostage in Congress. Communities continue to depreciate while the economic health of families deteriorates. That’s NOT a Just Economy.

Ted Wysocki, President & CEO

Local Economic & Employment Development Council

Chicago, IL

ted@leedcouncil.org

We just posted several positions on Worklocal.org for a food service provider in Pilsen. Positions include Cook, Driver, Server, Packer, Receiver, Production Team Member, Janitor/Dishwasher and Expeditor. The company’s mission is to dramatically improve the food and food service experience in schools in order to reduce obesity and improve health, education and well being for students in communities across the United States. The company is an equal opportunity employer that offers benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401K, stock options, LTD, STD and life insurance.

The company wants to hire someone who can multi-task and work with a high degree of integrity and honesty. They are looking for people who are familiar with HACCP and Food Safety procedures, waste reduction, proper planning and staff management.

Visit Worklocal.org/jobs for more information.