Applied Research Center • arc.org
“Full Community Benefits” Employment Initiatives
With the passage of the federal economic stimulus package--the American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009--billions of dollars in new monies are flowing to states andmunicipalities, much of it intended for job creation and retention. To ensure these public fundsare used to create high-quality jobs that benefit all people––especially low-income people,communities of color and those who are most disadvantaged––grassroots organizations will needto take leadership in proposing ways stimulus funds can be used most effectively and equitably.Community residents can propose that states and municipalities develop “Full CommunityBenefits” Employment Initiatives for all programs involving job creation and retention. Thisinvolves the adoption and implementation of a framework of inclusionary principles andobjectives, along with a participatory planning and development process. Once fair standards and processes are adopted, community organizations and advocates can work to negotiate andincorporate various exemplary practices when jobs programs are being developed.Proposed Full Community Benefits Employment Initiatives are modeled after community benefits agreements where local communities negotiate and win concessions from prospectivenew employers by getting them to agree to such things as hiring local residents, utilizing localcontractors and resources, and providing living wages and union jobs. This way, opportunitiesand benefits are spread equitably around the entire community. Community organizations andcoalitions can use a similar strategy to negotiate with policymakers and government agenciesthat are now responsible for deciding how to spend federal jobs stimulus funds. By demandingthat public officials adopt and implement Full Community Benefits Employment Initiatives, allresidents--especially those most disadvantaged who face a disproportionate share of barriers anddiscrimination--can access the new opportunities and needed benefits.The President’s Memorandum of March 20, 2009,
Ensuring Responsible Spending of Recovery Act Funds
, among other things, directs departments and agencies to “achieve long-term public benefits by, for example, investing in technological advances in science and health to increaseeconomic efficiency and improve quality of life; investing in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide long-term economic benefits; fosteringenergy independence; or improving educational quality;” and to “satisfy the Recovery Act'stransparency and accountability objectives.” Furthermore a U.S. President’s Office onManagement and Budget’s Memorandum of April 3, 2009,
Updated Implementing Guidance for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
, advises agencies to take into accountconsiderations such as “supporting projects that ensure compliance with equal opportunity lawsand principles, support small businesses including disadvantaged business enterprises, engage insound labor practices, promote local hiring, and engage with community-based organizations.”These federal directives clearly establish the elements of equity, transparency, equal opportunity,sound labor practices, environmental protection, accountability, community engagement andmany other positive principles and practices. Community advocacy organizations must ensurethat these elements are fully reflected in the development and implementation of all RecoveryAct funded programs. (See
Appendix A and B
for direct language from the federal directives).
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