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Reducing Poverty - Expanding Job Growth

On December 17, 2019, CPDC hosted a meeting to discuss what can be done locally to foster inclusive growth without stifling our rebounding market. Since the end of the Great Recession, nearly all cities have grown jobs, but nationally the gap has widened between wealth and poverty. Philadelphia has enjoyed recent growth, but still has 23% fewer jobs than in 1970 and the highest poverty rate of the 10 largest cities.

Guest Speaker: John H. Alschuler, Chairman, HR&A, New York | Presentation: Inclusionary Growth
Respondents: John Grady, President, PIDC
                          Maria Quiñones-Sánchez, Councilwoman, Philadelphia City Council, 7th District
Moderator: Paul R. Levy, Executive Director, CPDC | Presentation

PRESENTER BIOS:
John H. Alschuler leads HR&A’s real estate advisory practice, focused on development finance, revitalization of urban communities, waterfront redevelopment and asset planning for institutions. He has focused on structuring public-private partnerships, development finance, building parklands and creating innovative development strategies. He has advised Philadelphia on the development of the Delaware Waterfront and the Rail Park. In 2019, his firm conducted an evaluation of Philadelphia tax incentive programs.

John Grady has led the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corp. since 2011 and worked there since 1998. He oversaw the transition of the Navy Yard to City ownership and helped start its successful redevelopment. He recently announced he will be joining Baltimore-based Wexford Science & Technology LLC, developer of the uCity Square complex in West Philadelphia, as an executive overseeing projects in the Northeastern U.S.

Councilwoman Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez is serving a third four-year term on Philadelphia City Council, representing a District with the highest rate of people living in poverty. She has focused on creating and preserving family-sustaining jobs, investing in education and job.

Press Coverage

December 17, 2019 | How can Philadelphia reduce poverty and add better paying jobs? A panel weighed in., Philadelphia Business Journal