Summary
The Great Cities Institute’s Economic & Workforce Development Program conducts research and analysis to shape impactful policies and programs focused on job creation, workforce training, job quality, residential mobility, commercial revitalization, developments incentives, and real-estate markets. This program embodies GCI’s commitment to fostering inclusive employment and economic development strategies that create equitable opportunities for individuals, families, and communities—strengthening the economy as a whole.
Aligned with GCI’s mission, this interdisciplinary initiative brings together diverse partners to analyze and inform discussions on employment and economic growth. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental conditions in neighborhoods and their broader influence on the city’s vitality.
Completed Projects
The U.S. Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) plays a pivotal role in revitalizing the manufacturing workforce by integrating innovative strategies to improve job quality and worker retention. As manufacturers face significant workforce shortages intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, this national network steps up to address these challenges. The article showcases how leading MEP centers are transforming traditional workforce development into holistic workplace solutions. By enhancing wages, offering better benefits, and fostering inclusive environments, MEP promotes sustainable business growth while improving worker satisfaction. This approach highlights the essential connection between resilient businesses and quality jobs, paving the way for a more equitable and competitive manufacturing sector in the U.S.
“Cities too busy to hate”: Economic development through a diversity ideology lens
This article explores how racial and ethnic diversity is portrayed in economic development proposals, using Amazon’s second headquarters (HQ2) as a case study. The authors analyze 70 proposals to uncover how cities approached diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as part of their pitch. Findings reveal common patterns: some cities avoided meaningful engagement with diversity, while others commodified it, treating diverse populations as economic assets. The study highlights the disconnect between claims of inclusivity and systemic inequalities, showing how marginalized groups often remain sidelined in economic plans. It calls for a shift toward equity-focused strategies that genuinely address disparities rather than perpetuate stereotypes.
The two reports produced from this project highlight the transformative impact of the Fight for $15 movement and the importance of inclusive economic strategies. Over the past decade, this worker-led movement has secured $150 billion in raises for 26 million workers, with $76 billion benefiting workers of color, helping to narrow the racial wealth gap. Additionally, higher wages boosted local economies, generating $87.6 billion annually and supporting 450,000 jobs. The articles also reveal how diversity is often commodified in economic proposals, underscoring the need for authentic equity-driven policies. Together, they emphasize the power of grassroots movements and equitable strategies to create lasting economic and social change.
The Racial and Spatial Impacts of the Paycheck Protection Program
This article analyzes the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the largest COVID-19 relief initiative, which provided $790 billion in loans to support small businesses. Early phases of the PPP disproportionately excluded majority Black and Latinx neighborhoods, reflecting long-standing inequities in access to capital. However, Phase 3 introduced policy changes that improved loan access for Black neighborhoods, although disparities persisted for Latinx communities. The findings highlight how emergency relief programs relying on traditional financial systems can exacerbate racial and spatial inequalities. The article underscores the importance of designing targeted, inclusive policies from the outset to ensure equitable resource distribution and mitigate the structural biases ingrained in existing economic systems.
This article examines racial inequities in the U.S. manufacturing workforce, highlighting disparities in job opportunities and wages among different racial groups over time. Manufacturing jobs historically offered significant economic advantages, particularly for Black workers, during the 1960s and 1970s. However, from 1980 to 2010, these advantages declined sharply, with Black workers experiencing the steepest wage premium decreases. The study also reveals persistent racial and gender wage gaps, even when controlling for education, experience, and other factors. Despite these challenges, recent trends from 2010 to 2020 show modest improvements in wage premiums for Black and Latino manufacturing workers, especially in the Midwest, suggesting opportunities to address income inequality. The article emphasizes the importance of equitable policies and investments to foster inclusivity in the manufacturing sector and leverage its potential as a pathway to economic growth and social equity.
Projects in Progress
People
Associate Director of Economic & Workforce Development, UIC Great Cities Institute