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Task force presses Regional 1 for workforce commitments tied to $350 million resolution
Summary
Shelby County's Black Economic Inclusion Task Force pressed Region 1 to clarify how a county resolution tied to $350,000,000 will translate into hiring and contracting for residents of targeted low-income ZIP codes, and asked workforce subcommittee members to produce concrete goals and a meeting plan before follow-up talks with hospital leaders.
Chair Brooks convened the Regional Black Economic Inclusion Task Force and opened discussion of a resolution tied to Regional 1 that authorized $350,000,000 in county support. Janice Banks, a task force member, summarized responses from Region 1 indicating the hospital will provide a list of schools and programs it already works with to help build a workforce pipeline for the specified ZIP codes.
"She will have a list of the schools that they're currently working with to help train a workforce," Janice Banks said while describing Region 1's response and the intention to partner with local training and workforce agencies. Members said that list, together with a clear statement of expectations, is essential before negotiations with hospital leadership proceed.
Former commissioner James Harvey pressed the group to broaden its focus beyond construction trades to the hospital's other job categories, saying, "We need that kind of data in order to compile our end goals so that it makes sense." Members agreed the workforce subcommittee (led by Ernest Strickland and James Harvey) should convene, create specific goals and a short "white paper" and then meet with Region 1 representatives to seek commitments.
The chair repeatedly urged members to avoid open-ended meetings without deliverables: "We can't keep meeting just meeting and meeting," Chair Brooks said, urging subcommittees to draft measurable objectives. Task force members also requested that Region 1 provide program descriptions and the exact resolution text so subcommittees can align their expectations with what the resolution requires.
No formal vote was taken. The task force asked subcommittee members to exchange dates and to meet before scheduling a joint conversation with Region 1 leadership. Janice Banks said she would circulate the resolution and supporting materials to members.
