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Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition
On July 6, 2021, the Richmond City Council adopted Resolution 88-21 to support the process of developing a Richmond Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition to 21st Century jobs.
On October 7, 2021, the City Manager’s Office, Economic Development released a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit the professional services of a qualified organization to assist in the development and implementation of a community driven workforce development plan using a Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition Framework. The RFP Closed on November 2, 2021 and City Council awarded the contract on April 5, 2022, to Appraccel, LLC who's team includes Groundwork Richmond, Richmond Safe Return Project, MIG, HR&A Advisors, Medema Consulting, and Abbe & Associates.
The goal of the project is to catalyze at least 1,000 new green-blue jobs for Richmond residents that build a just, equitable, resilient and sustainable future.
Project Deliverables:
- Green New Deal Workforce Development Plan with Just Transition framework
- Implementation Strategy
- Community toolkit
- Building decarbonization jobs analysis
- Economic development insights analysis
- Community workshops and focus groups
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Samantha Carr
Environmental Manager
Justine Burt
Project Manager
Appraccel LLC
thegreatpivot@gmail.com
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Community Engagement
Community Input Needed! Green-Blue New Deal Survey
On July 6, 2021, the Richmond City Council adopted Resolution 88-21 to support the process of developing a Richmond Green-Blue New Deal and Just Transition to 21st century jobs. The City is committed to ensuring that future investments benefit the livelihoods of Richmond residents and the health of their families. Richmond residents and non-profits have the talent and skills to build a future green healthy economy.
If you live or work in Richmond, please fill out this 10 minute survey and feel free to share with your network: https://bit.ly/Richmond-GBND-survey. Your input and feedback from the survey will shape the goals, direction, and priorities of the Richmond Green-Blue New Deal Workforce Development Plan.
For any questions, contact the consultant Appraccel, LLC by email at, thegreatpivot@gmail.com.
Presentations
Appraccel, LLC gave an introductory presentation on the Green-Blue New Deal at various Richmond Commissions and Committees during the months of September and October.
- September 14, 2022 and October 12, 2022 - Richmond Economic Development Commission
- September 15, 2022 - Richmond Workforce Development Board
- October 17, 2022 - Richmond Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- September 19, 2022 - Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
- January 9, 2023 at 7PM - Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council
Background
Green-Blue New Deal
As stated in Resolution 88-21:
- A Green New Deal- “a program of investments in equitable clean-energy jobs and infrastructure, transforming and transitioning not just the energy sector, but the entire economy.”
- A Blue Economy- “the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystems.”
- Green-Blue New Deal- “must incorporate key sectors of the Blue Economy in order to fully address the climate crisis.”
Just Transition
The Just Transition framework, developed by the Climate Justice Alliance and Movement Generation, can be found here, describes transitioning from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.
The four steps of the cycle are:
- Resources,
- Worldview,
- Purpose, and
- Governance.
COVID-19 Effects on Unemployment
The City of Richmond’s workforce has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 caused a surge in unemployment in Richmond with a peaked of 3,412 weekly unemployment claims in late March 2020. Since then, weekly unemployment claims have significantly decreased and have stayed below 500 per week. In February 2020 the Richmond unemployment rate was at 3.3 percent and spiked to 17.10 percent in April 2020. Although there has been some recovery, the Richmond unemployment rate is higher than the Contra Costa County unemployment rate of 6.2 percent and slightly higher than the California unemployment rate of 7.5 percent.
The City Manager’s Office, Economic Development division is continuously working to promote a competitive, sustainable, and equitable economy for all. City staff members are focused on supporting our community through both the COVID-19 pandemic and in the long-term to maintain the City of Richmond’s vibrancy and diversity.
Unemployment Rate of the City of Richmond, Contra Costa County, and California
| Richmond | Contra Costa County | California |
February 2020 (%) | 3.3 | 3.1 | 4.3 |
April 2021 (%) | 17.1 | 14.5 | 16 |
June 2021 (%) | 8.7 | 6.2 | 7.5 |