Eben on economic redevelopment
Two major systemic improvements will positively impact job creation and employment. First, we need to improve the system that will allow small business and local entrepreneurs to prosper. I would start with 3 things: I would seek to move the Redevelopment Agency back under the management of the city. We need a cohesive, systemic approach to the identification of land and usages and to have them working as an independent arm has proven very costly. Next, the city needs to be the lead agency in creating a network of business leaders and organizations that can encourage and support economic development. We need a full scale public relations campaign to get the word out on our incentives that exist for owners to build, hire, and expand their businesses.
The other systemic improvement is in our education system. As Mayor, I support a partnership with our school system works together to effectively eliminate the drop-out rate. If we want all of our students to graduate, we must return our schools to our kids. We need to provide leadership and financial support for quality facilities, opportunities in and athletics and the arts, and numerous vocational options. To accomplish this, we need to create a Community Accountability Model that identifies the key characteristics our citizens expect to find in their schools. Finally, I would continue to develop the Urban Charter Initiative to provide school choice in our poorest neighborhoods. By improving our educational system, we will prepare more young men and women for the work force and continue to attract more businesses to Fresno.