Bringing Jobs to Richmond

By Eduardo Martinez

We need to look to the future for jobs, not rely on the traditional sources of jobs!

I believe that the solution lies not in merely holding on to current sources of jobs, but to be thinking in terms of jobs for the 21st century.

• We must look at and bring to Richmond the jobs of tomorrow--sustainable, clean tech jobs in the green economy the only job sector that is growing..

• We must provide support for small business, the backbone of the economy

• We must support and encourage training programs with the understanding that we need to find jobs for graduates.

• We must consider creative ways of bringing jobs to Richmond including Workers Co-ops which have shown great promise

• Lastly-- I Support the call of the AFL-CIO and Ben Jealous, President of the NAACP for the federal government to create and finance a large public works program to put people back to work with jobs that will both contribute to the welfare of the individual workers and at the same time improve our city--fix roads, upgrade, build schools. It's time for a "worker bailout!"