Main Street- Talking Back to Wall Street

Current economic development models prioritize the needs of big business and real estate. Groups representing these interests organize themselves into effective coalitions that project a unified vision to New Yorkers and our elected representatives. We know that Wall Street is clear about its agenda. But what about Main Street? Those of us fighting on the front lines across the state must also come together to define our own priorities and vision for a just and healthy New York, with affordable housing, good jobs, a sustainable environment, access to education, and community-driven development.

The objective of our educational, policy, campaign, and communications efforts statewide is to articulate a vision for economic development that addresses the needs and concerns of all interests—residents, workers, businesses, developers, the environment, and policy makers. Through a series of regional dialogues, we have begun to identify both the problems and the opportunities that economic development presents for New York residents. Now we’d like to invite you to participate in an exciting community-based survey project that will gauge the attitudes, values, and opinions of New York State residents on a range of economic development issues in our communities. The survey will take us one step further by helping us assess the needs, values, and perspectives of NY residents so they can be reflected in our vision for equitable growth.

A VISION FOR TOMORROW

This type of community-based survey has rarely been done in any region in the country, making this work truly groundbreaking. By “taking the temperature” of NY residents, the survey will go deeper to reveal how the economic and political reality has impacted the day-to-day lives of residents, to identify which issues and challenges are most pressing, what New Yorkers value in their local communities and regions as assets, and what they believe local governments’ priorities should be in fostering a healthy economy.

Our collective commitment to this survey will strengthen the statewide network of organizations and activists working toward accountable economic development, and will provide us with a tool to further expand this network. This survey will provide a space for meaningful involvement by community leaders and stakeholders in the dialogue around economic development, and it will be a chance to assert the voices and opinions that have been marginalized in the research and polling around these issues. Access to statewide and regional data will help bolster the work already happening within our organizations, will help us forge connections in our work across the state, and will help us frame more nuanced policy solutions toward equitable development.

ISSUE AREAS

The issues areas that the survey will cover include:

• The economy: New York State has become the most income-polarized state in the country. Poverty rates in cities continue to rise as top income earners continue to see increases.
• Jobs: Job availability, job quality, and job stability continue to decline, particularly with the continued erosion of our manufacturing base. Additionally, workers in Upstate NY earn less than their national counterparts.
• Housing: Affordability continues to be a challenge for many New York residents. Barriers to homeownership discourage investment in neighborhoods and exclude many NY household from wealth and asset building opportunities.
• Population: Shifting population and migration trends exert growth pressures in some NY regions, while others experience a population “brain drain.” Furthermore, changing demographics—especially a growing elderly population—pose new challenges for local governments.
• Land use: Current tax policies, as well as incentives and regulations on development, have contributed to the growing problem of suburban sprawl—particularly in Upstate cities—therefore adding to existing environmental problems that result from the decentralization of housing, jobs, and businesses.
• Policy: Current policies and regulations set the economic conditions that create and magnify the challenges described above. Government subsidies and investments often favor development that is profitable to businesses and developers, but contrary to the needs of communities and workers.

We are very excited about this survey, as it presents a unique opportunity to build our network statewide and to understand the challenges and opportunities within our regions. With the aid of the survey results, we look forward to developing our vision toward more equitable growth that benefits all New Yorkers.

 

Metro Justice, 167 Flanders Street, Rochester NY 14619
phone:585-325-2560 fax:585-325-2561
email: metroj@frontiernet.net
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