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Webinar Summary
The Local Infrastructure Hub hosted a session on July 9, 2024, to discuss best practices for engaging communities in infrastructure and green energy projects throughout the project life cycle. The session also highlighted workforce development initiatives that go hand in hand with community engagement, such as, community benefits agreements and project labor agreements, registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs, and supportive services for job training to support project development, and more. The session featured Neera Tanden, Director of the Domestic Policy Council, White House; Greg Loh, Chief Policy Officer, City of Syracuse; Steve Hubble, Climate Action Senior Manager, City of Boise; and Tracy Colunga, Civic Engagement Director, Bloomberg Center for Public Innovation, to discuss how local governments use community engagement as a critical part of their workforce development strategy.
Key Insights Shared
Workforce development is a key part of any BIL-funded grant application.
Syracuse won a $500,000 Reconnecting Communities planning grant to create an Action Plan to address the redlining caused by the Interstate 81 viaduct. The project, titled the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program: Reconnecting A Post I-81 Viaduct Syracuse, aims to address the displacement of residents from Syracuse’s 15th Ward and the division and decline of surrounding neighborhoods due to the viaduct’s construction. Central to Syracuse’s application was an emphasis on workforce development.
Cities should foster collaboration to shape workforce development.
Greg Loh discussed how Syracuse’s planning study and subsequent project will build on the city’s previous work of Syracuse Build, a community-led initiative to build pathways to apprenticeships for people from marginalized communities. Syracuse’s approach includes long-term strategic planning, involving stakeholders such as construction companies, labor unions, community organizations, the local school district and other educational institutions. The Urban Jobs Taskforce (UJTF), once at odds with the city, is now a partner that collaborates with the city to support workforce development. Their joint goal is to create quality career opportunities, transform the local economic ecosystem, reach historically disenfranchised individuals, and build community trust.
Effective community engagement takes time, patience, and trust.
DOT awarded Boise $3.2 million to implement public electric vehicle charging sites.The city focused on community engagement to see how best to aid in bridging the gap between the current electrician and EV charging infrastructure maintenance and operation workforce. Steve Hubble stated that community engagement requires participation from a broad range of community stakeholders, clear communication of city objectives, and fostering long-term relationships, especially with traditionally underrepresented groups. Boise’s strategies include detailed community surveys, focus groups, language accessibility, neighborhood outreach, and creating an in-house community engagement team. These methods ensure that Boise’s workforce development efforts have a lasting impact and create a continuous dialogue with the community.
Workforce development is crucial for providing access to high-paying jobs and achieving climate goals.
Neera Tanden emphasized the importance of a comprehensive strategy for cities aiming to maximize the benefits of infrastructure investments. She discussed how efficient use of workforce dollars requires a wide range of partners to drive change; highlighting the need for strategic collaboration among federal, state, and local entities, citing examples like upstate New York’s workforce hubs that effectively utilize federal investments to create apprenticeships. This model of bringing relevant players together ensures coordinated efforts and resource maximization.
Resources Shared During the Webinar and in Discussion
Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamp Materials
The Local Infrastructure Hub is here to support cities in accessing BIL funding and communicating the success of BIL-funded projects through a mix of webinars, practical tools, and templates. Our webinars and Grant Application Bootcamps can guide you through different application processes and actionable steps to submit a strong application.
Register for our Local Infrastructure Hub Bootcamps now to receive technical assistance for city staff on relevant tools and templates that can be applied to grant applications; learn how to build community engagement plans and leverage community assets; understand how to effectively incorporate data into the grant application process; and how to construct a strong budget and grant narrative.