Economic Development & Job Creation

By Rhonda F. Harris

Richmond faces many challenges on the economic front. We are a City of skilled workers and no jobs. I want to create jobs. We can create jobs and rebuild our City by investing in ourselves.

My firms, R.F. & Associates and H&H Builders have created scores of construction jobs for Richmond residents. As a general contractor, I have worked to transform abandoned properties into affordable housing and commercial properties in Richmond and throughout the Bay Area.

As a local small businessperson, I will bring to the Council real life experiences of working with multi-million dollar budgets, logistical planning, construction and redevelopment. We can create jobs and rebuild our City by investing in ourselves.

I support policies and programs that will:

• Use economic development projects to transform city owned vacant lots and abandoned properties into affordable housing for Richmond residents.
• Encourage relocation of "green and clean" industries to Richmond and include pacts on how long they will stay as well as job training and placement for Richmond residents.
• Enhance opportunities for local businesses by ensuring implementation of Richmond's Opportunity Ordinance and Local Employment Ordinance. These ordinances require mandatory bidding for city contracts, and ensure Richmond residents will be hired on projects funded by the city. Expand these ordinances to include city contracts for operational jobs in addition to construction jobs.
• Create jobs training programs directly connected to local businesses by enhancing coordination between high schools, trade and community colleges and expectant employers.
• Provide incentives for resident owned small business startups and tax breaks for existing local businesses that hire Richmond residents as employees.