Core Value #3: The University District shall be culturally and socio-economically diverse.

This is one of five chapters that address the intensity and density of development, residential homeownership patterns, availability of community services, access to job resources, and provision of services for students who live in the Neighborhoods. The University District has some of the most diverse neighborhoods in the City, with diversity expressed through broad ranges in levels of income, types of ethnicities established, dependency on community services, and lifestyles. Maintaining that richness of people and culture while meeting the requirements of a clean, safe, and economically stable community is a challenge.

Healthy neighborhoods in inner-city environments such as the University Neighborhoods often provide sources of employment for its residents. While this document assumes that some jobs will be created through the revitalization of High Street, it also assumes that opportunities should exist in other parts of the Neighborhoods. This chapter addresses a wide range of approaches to increasing local employment including the possible locations of employers and the programs that need to be created to train and educate residents give them skills necessary to find jobs where available.

Revitalization of the University District includes addressing the employment and economic needs of area residents and employers. Faculty teaching and inquiry combined with university outreach provide critical resources to strengthen the economic environment of the university area. Economic self-sufficiency for area residents is an attainable goal. Educational systems of the community will prepare residents to respond to the employment opportunities available in the area and throughout the City. Employment skills and attitudes are a part of the curriculum of the community. Education for healthy life styles will contribute substantially to the employability of residents. Education of local employers will create a climate in which area residents are sought for their skills and attitudes as well as their proximity to local jobs. Equally important, residents will learn about opportunities for assisting neighbors who are in financial or other distress, thus strengthening the community fabric. Linking key educational and economic elements to strengthen the community offers a paradigm for other university communities for achieving economic well-being.

The central objective to achieve with respect to employment and economic development is:

Recommendation 8.1.1: Plan and establish a Comprehensive Employment Program for residents in the University Districts.

Recommendation 8.2.1: Develop a Business Incubator in the University Neighborhoods.

Policy 8.2.2. Support retention of existing and creation of new locally owned businesses in the High Street Corridor.

Recommendation 8.3.1: Develop mechanisms to advocate employment of University District residents by local employers.

Achieving economic stability is a major goal of the Revitalization Plan. Low income local residents with little or no employment history need special assistance in achieving economic self-sufficiency. The Plan directly addresses this issue, drawing on all the resources within the University District to enrich its educational environment.. Residents will have access to these resources and participate in and through them..

The Job Development program will provide additional job openings targeted through the Columbus Employment Consortium. The program will explore alternative means of transportation to permit neighborhood residents access to employers distant from the campus area.

The Employment Readiness Program will provide career counseling and job skills assessment in conjunction with community agencies. Those in need of job skills for known job openings will be referred to training programs. An additional component of the program will assist with work attitudes development. Family counseling through existing community agencies will assist with family support for transition to work. Substance abuse intervention and counseling will be provided through existing programs for those in need of such assistance.

District residents would benefit from increased preparation to enter the work force and stability achieved through economic self-sufficiency. University faculty and graduate students will have increased opportunities to study and understand employment readiness development. Local businesses, including the university, would have an increased pool of employable local resident. Employment levels in the University District will increase. A greater number of area residents will be employed locally.

Youth job readiness training and job referral, as well as, additional activities for youth, such as 4-H, would be expandable in conjunction with local schools agencies, organizations and houses of worship.

Neighborhood residents will benefit from enhanced local employment opportunities. Families would be supported by eliminating lengthy job commutes and minimizing transportation costs and requirements. University faculty and graduate students will have increased opportunities to study and understand local employment patterns and the development of local employment opportunities. Local businesses, including the university and Medical Center, will have a larger pool of employable local residents.

Employment levels in the University District will increase, and a greater number of area residents will be employed locally. Increased employment of area residents will improve incomes and overall economic well-being of area residents which will lead to more home ownership and stability in the campus area. Apprenticeship programs can be established on campus for area young people. A set-aside work-study program for community residents may be developed. Computer terminals and other sources of information about job opportunities may be located at strategic places in the community as well as on campus. Coordination between employment opportunities at the university and Medical Center and the Columbus Employment Consortium will be explored.

University District residents will have more opportunities to achieve economic self-sufficiency and independence. Local economies will be strengthened through additional business opportunities. University faculty and graduate students will have additional opportunities to facilitate and study community-based small business development.

The Business Incubator program will encourage area residents to develop their entrepreneurial potential. Many of the small businesses developed through the program, such as home repair firms will employ area residents, do their business in the University District, and stimulate additional economic activity. Building and construction businesses could provide service in housing redevelopment efforts.. The program will contribute to the Ohio State Minority Business Development program as a resource for promoting and enhancing minority businesses in the university area. Employment levels in the University District will increase and an increasing number of area residents will be employed locally.