Title
Economic Development Update
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Receive an update on recent economic development projects with specific emphasis on the culmination of the Journey2Jobs and Olympia Career Hub efforts.
Report
Issue:
Whether to receive an update on recent economic development projects with specific emphasis on the culmination of the Journey2Jobs and Olympia Career Hub efforts. Additional information about the Olympia Downtown Alliance Discussion on the draft parking strategy scope of work will be shared.
Staff Contact:
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, Office of Community Vitality, 360.753.8591
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
Shannon Glenn, Director of Social Enterprise, Valeo Vocation
Micah Pong, Project Manager - Olympia Career Hub, Thurston Chamber of Commerce
Background and Analysis:
In 2022 the City of Olympia initiated two workforce development projects, Journey2Jobs and the Olympia Career Hub. This work stemmed from a recognition that the pandemic had created a significant employment disruption event for our community members with many residents having been displaced from their jobs or looking for new career pathways.
The Journey2Jobs project was an 18-month effort focused on working with unhoused residents and individuals living in various tiny home villages to offer real opportunities for work experience and skill gain, engender community support by demonstrating a desire and commitment from our unhoused neighbors to participate economically in the community. Journey2Jobs is a program of PacMtn Workforce Development and was executed by Valeo Vocation. Valeo Vocation is now the contracted partner for the operation of Plum Street Village.
The Olympia Career Hub was a workforce development project that was funded by the City of Olympia and sponsored by the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce to connect businesses with talented career builders. From July 2022 to June 2024 the Olympia Career Hub provided career training and exploration opportunities to Olympia residence and businesses. The Olympia Career Hub began its short-term construction training cohorts in January 2023, through a partnership with ANEW. These free training cohorts were created to help people with limited experience in construction take the first steps to a long and self-sustaining career pathway in the trades.
Staff and partners will provide culminating information about the impact of these projects and where they may be able to go in the future.
Climate Analysis:
The programming provided in the Construction Trades training program is an example of much needed starting point to get more workforce in green construction jobs. Pre-apprentice programming is the needed first step towards most construction trades jobs.
Equity Analysis:
This programming was delivered in a way that served a very large cross section of demographic make-up of our community with participants from tribal communities, LGBTQIA, veterans, and housed and unhoused individuals.
The Construction Trades Training program was contracted with ANEW, who as an organizational mission focus on getting more women and people of color into the trades. Every lead trainer of the construction training program was female with the intention of showing that the trades can be a place for everyone.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Various workforce programming concepts are deeply rooted into City planning documents that were created with robust community participation such as:
In the Economy chapter of the Comprehensive Plan item GE6 “Collaboration with other partners maximizes economic opportunity” and PE6.5 “Collaborate with local economic development organizations to create and maintain existing living-wage jobs”.
The One Community Plan states in strategy 1.7 “Prioritize pathways to economic opportunity that help people find longer-term security” with the subsequent implementation approaches:
• Provide case management to help people overcome barriers to employment - e.g. securing an ID card, addressing outstanding warrants or fines, obtaining a high school diploma or GED.
• Coordinate with Workforce Council, Chambers, Colleges and other partners that can help connect people to training and/or employment.
• Leverage abilities and insights of social service agencies to develop pathway programs and identify appropriate strategies for connecting target audiences.
• Ensure programs are inclusive and appropriate for diverse populations, ages.
• Reduce panhandling by creating low-barrier, creative employment opportunities that helps people earn income without impacting other community members.
Financial Impact:
No financial impact associated with presentation as programs are now completed.
Options:
1. Receive the update.
2. Do not receive the update.
3. Receive the update at another time.
Attachments:
None