Accountable Development
There is an opening in the political and public environment for change in the way New York “does” economic development. In fact, the way we “do” economic development in the City is under question more and more in the news nearly every day: Should we use eminent domain to acquire land for new private developments? Does the investment of public capital in large-scale development projects result in quality jobs for local communities? Should we protect the character of our unique NYC neighborhoods with new zoning regulations?
And more: What does all the waterfront redevelopment mean for the City’s diminishing manufacturing industry and blue-collar jobs, not to mention the environmental health of the City? Do multi-million dollar financial firms need government subsidies in order to stay in business in NYC? What about letting Wal-Mart and other huge retailers build giant box-shaped stores in our communities—what effects do their low wage and benefit standards and generally unsightly use of land have on our long-term economic outlook?
These questions are being asked in communities throughout the City and across the state—within neighborhoods with extensive “redevelopment” and rezoning, by labor and environmental groups as well as housing and education advocates, within all types of businesses and their associations, and not least, within political circles and the media as competing interests rise to the surface.
Along with our allies we are working on answers to these questions, but in short form the answer to all of them is that we must make economic development in New York sustainable for the long-term and accountable to all of its residents—not just to the interests of wealth and business. A progressive vision and agenda for economic development is possible—one that creates and preserves good jobs for communities in need, one that builds and maintains what people want in their communities, one that expands and preserves the services people need to live well and healthy, one that generally promotes smart growth and public good in our cities and throughout the state.
In a political environment that is hostile to progressive solutions—certainly at the state level and often at the City level, not to mention nationally—making sustainable, accountable economic development a winnable issue in New York is a tall order. The work is difficult, especially at a time when ‘development’ is running rampant in the City. It is difficult work that requires overcoming historical tensions on the issue between progressive allies and building coalitions based on a common interest in good development amongst labor, community, environmental, housing, policy, and other advocates. It is difficult work that requires clever solutions and astute organizing approaches in order to overcome decades of poor policy and bad government decisions.
It is, in short, the difficult work of Jobs with Justice and our allies around the city and state who seek to promote a progressive, values-driven model of economic development. Click on any of these links to find out about our latest approaches to making economic development more accountable and sustainable in New York:
- New York Initiative for Development Accountability – Reforming Subsidy Policy in Local Governments Across the State
- Redefining Economic Development NYC - Creating A Blueprint for NYC’s Progressive Development Movement
- TRADES Campaign - An Innovative Campaign for Career-Track Construction Jobs & Better Public Housing
- Health Care Security Act - Setting Industry Standards for Good Jobs with Good Benefits
Jobs with Justice
