WILMINGTON RENAISSANCE CORPORATION

This policy level evaluation and continuing work is undergirded and bolstered by our inclusion as the only Delaware cohort in the Reinventing Our Communities (ROC) initiative of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia. Wilmington has also joined the National League of Cities’ City Innovation Ecosystem Program as a cohort city. The Wilmington work group will identify significant policy and process barriers standing in the way of employment and wealth building among Black and Brown residents. Through 2022, the cohort will continue to develop strategies to mitigate barriers and address policies to drive a more equitable economy for all in Wilmington. The goal is to create strong workforce development initiatives for the City. This will be further solidified by our planned application to the National Fund for Workforce Solutions as part of a collaborative. The Alliance sees itself as the convener and repository for national best practices and resources for this important work. To bring it to successful fruition, in 2021 the Alliance plans to hire a Director of Economic Development and Inclusion.
Wilmington is Working: The Wilmington is Working Workforce Ecosystem Analysis (a workforce landscape environmental scan) will be released and implemented. The Alliance will convene this multi-partner effort and orchestrate collaboration of providers, employers, and seekers of opportunities. Guided by national best practices and the report’s goals and recommendations, we will create a robust pipeline of recruitment, training, placement, support, and follow up for the unemployed/underemployed. Our effort to close the digital divide (the Wilmington is Working Equitable Technology Fund) will continue to meet participants’ needs for devices as nonprofits’ online job training programs continue and expand.
Equitable Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Wilmington (E3 Wilmington): A partnership with the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation, E3 Wilmington will create conditions for successful entrepreneurship and business development, building citywide strategic coalitions providing resources and access to funding sources to identify, vet, incubate, and accelerate new business start-ups and small businesses. The program will help level the playing field for entrepreneurs of color by ensuring there is an equity focus.
Wilmington Strong Fund: With partners, this fund has provided grants to help small Black- and Brown-owned businesses recover from Covid-19 and to stabilize communities. If need continues, the Alliance will work in 2021 as required. To continue small business support, Wilmington Made (a shop-local initiative) will build a citywide network promoting local businesses, restaurants, stores, and cafes. It will elevate local businesses through multiple marketing channels, providing marketing and advertising expertise and expanding on our 2019 Market Made and West Side Made campaigns. Designed in partnership with other economic development organizations, the campaign will market, celebrate, and incentivize shopping locally.