One key takeaway was the regional approach to workforce and business recruitment, as well as the ultimate site selection of the business. Since people and businesses operate without regard for city or county lines, collaboration across the region is essential. VisitLEX, Lexington’s tourism bureau, gathers data from hotel stays and event venues to market the city as a destination. That data is shared with Commerce Lexington, which uses it to enhance talent attraction strategies for both the city and the broader region.
Entrepreneurship also took center stage when we visited Lexmark, with local innovators showcasing how they integrate cutting-edge tools like artificial intelligence into their businesses. Lafe Taylor, a self-described “power user” of AI, stood out as an especially inspiring example of leveraging technology to drive success. The day also featured a site selection simulation, hosted at Link Belt Excavators’ Customer Experience Center, focused on highlighting how businesses could be attracted to the Greater Lexington region. Three businesses evaluated pitches from three cities, each showcasing their workforce capabilities, infrastructure, available housing, entertainment options, local universities, potential tax incentives, etc. The cities worked to align their offerings with the businesses’ needs, highlighting why they were the ideal location. The exercise was both engaging and insightful, offering a firsthand look at the business recruitment process. However, the most impactful topic of the day for me was workforce diversification. Preparing a workforce that includes <among others> new immigrants, freshly unemployed, homeless, and the underemployed is vital for Lexington’s long-term prosperity. Organizations like the Rescue Mission and Jubilee Jobs are leading the way, equipping marginalized individuals with the skills needed to become contributing members of society. A major barrier to workforce participation, however, is the benefits cliff. This abrupt reduction in government assistance often discourages individuals from seeking employment out of fear of losing essential support like disability income or food stamps. I have firsthand experiences with dozens of people in our neighborhood who are trapped in this cycle. A real-life example of the benefit cliff in action is the Senga family (name changed to be anonymous). After spending 25 years in a refugee camp in Rwanda, the Senga family from the Congo finally found a home in the United States… in a house across the alley from my backyard. The parents, along with nine of their 10 children—all born in the camp—arrived in the U.S. with hope for a better future. However, their journey has been far from easy. For the last year, the parents struggled to find work due to language barriers and limited skills that matched available jobs. The second and third oldest children, ages 22 and 20, were the family’s lifeline (the oldest stayed back in Rwanda), using the little English they learned in the camp to secure entry-level jobs with Amazon. Despite their efforts, the family quickly encountered the harsh reality of the benefits cliff—losing crucial rent assistance and food stamps (aka SNAP benefits) as their combined household income grew. But a major challenge arose when the oldest daughter married and moved out, halving the household’s income… And still no food stamps. The second oldest son, who is only 20, carries a heavy burden. He works 40 hours a week while attending high school, determined to earn his diploma and improve his family’s future. His younger siblings, ranging in age from toddlers to teens, attend school full-time, adjusting to a new culture and language while grappling with food and shelter insecurity. The family’s resilience and lack of entitlement is a testament to their determination to create a new life despite the odds. However, it illustrates how the benefits cliff traps hardworking families in poverty by, in essence, penalizing progress. A system with a more gradual roll-off would ensure some support while encouraging self-sufficiency, creating a more likely path to stability. A more coordinated approach to gradual benefit reductions could ease this transition, encouraging more people to come off government assistance and enter the workforce while maintaining stability. The day’s discussions underscored for me the importance of collaboration and innovation in shaping Lexington’s future. Comments are closed.
|
Categories
All
Upcoming Events |