Problem: The Pawtucket unemployment rate exceeds state and national averages, while 32.1 percent of children younger than 18, and 15.2 percent of adults older than 65 are living in poverty. The majority of people in these demographics are immigrants and racial minorities.
Pitch: To reduce unemployment and improve economic opportunities for those with low incomes and residents of color, by creating an economic stimulus focused around travel, hospitality and tourism.
“BEST-CASE RESULT is that it encourages people to either move to Pawtucket or for residents who live here to stay,” said Bianca M. Policastro, director of program planning and development at Blackstone Valley Community Action Program. “But what we’re basically talking about is increasing the economic well-being of our middle class, getting our current minorities and low-income residents to stay and be proud about the city that they’re living in.”
Policastro, who’s one of the leading partners of Pawtucket’s Working Cities Challenge, says the plan is to interconnect residents with the natural resources and historical aspects of the city to help spur economic growth. She also thinks there’s a huge upside to the culinary industry.
“A lot of clients have indicated an interest in culinary job training,” she said. “Working in a kitchen is a great job and you don’t have to speak English perfectly, they’re forgiving if you’re an offender, and you start at a living wage.” •
