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Task force clarifies inclusive workforce goals and contracting outreach for rebuild
Summary
Members distinguished inclusive workforce training (recruiting/training residents in targeted ZIP codes for construction and hospital jobs) from inclusive contracting (MBE inclusion). They urged early pairing of MBEs with prime firms, called for apprenticeship planning and requested lists of primes from outreach events.
Task force members spent substantial time clarifying two separate elements of the resolution: inclusive economic development (contracting) and inclusive workforce employment and training. Janice Banks, reading the resolution aloud, said the workforce provision asks Regional 1 Health to "brief members of its board and members of the county commission if requested on on its plans to recruit individuals in high poverty zip codes in Shelby County to work on the rebuilding project," and she identified example ZIP codes mentioned in the text.
Members pressed staff to ensure minority and small business participation begins in the planning and design phase rather than only during construction. Banks asked whether the contractor outreach event captured prime contractor contact information so MBEs could follow up; project manager Chris Acuff said the organizers had attendee lists and would provide them. Chef Wilbur and others recommended apprenticeship pathways be built into contractor plans once a contractor is selected so residents from targeted ZIP codes can access job and training opportunities.
