Economic success for residents and the City!

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty – far too many residents in our city struggle with poverty, affordability, housing, food insecurity, healthcare and meeting basic needs
- Free bus passes for those making 110% of poverty level or below
- Increasing accessibility to Adult education and vocational development through free/reduced tuition, free childcare while in classes (including night classes), free transportation to and from
- Incubators and grants to start small businesses particularly in economically depressed areas
- Work together with Carilion and RCPS to ensure full access to healthcare services possibly including greatly increasing free clinics
- Collaborate with businesses, non-profits, and government agencies to sponsor several “fix-it up” Roanoke days to help those in need, clean up neighborhoods, etc.
- Create an easier pathway to match those in need with available services
Economic Development and Viability for the City:
- Currently a Medical and Outdoor Hub; add another major reason to bring people to the area (New Town center? Indoor sports facility to drive tourism? etc.)
- Put resources into solving the housing shortage and finding creative solutions for the unhoused population (micro houses, sleeping pods, etc)
- Work to attract and retain our businesses recognizing that a friendly business environment is the backbone of a strong city (jobs, growth, economic drivers) while simultaneously encouraging our businesses to be city friendly.
- Regionalism – share duplicated resources to save cost; work together to attract new businesses,
- Develop a Business/City Government Standing committee to ensure that business leaders have easy access to council and work to solve issues collaboratively