Workforce

As part of its efforts to increase public safety, reduce recidivism, and decrease public spending on criminal justice functions, the City of Philadelphia has joined a growing number of local and state governments focused on connecting formerly incarcerated individuals with employment. The rationale - backed by an emerging research literature - is that former inmates are less likely to commit crimes causing them to return to prison if they become gainfully employed. In addition to the social benefits to be derived from reduced crime, there are significant positive economic impacts associated with employing the formerly incarcerated, including increased earnings for former inmates, increased tax revenues from employment, and avoided costs in the form of spending on criminal justice agencies.  ...more

Photos from the future??? Although that technology might be available in 2026, these snaps are from the World Class Greater Philadelphia Future Histories release on April 28 at WHYY's Hamilton Media Commons. If you missed it, stay tuned for an encore presentation in mid-June. ...more

The Economy League invites you to join us on April 28 for the debut of 2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia.  Following months of intensive collaboration with regional stakeholders, World Class Greater Philadelphia has developed stories describing four very different, but very possible, futures for our dynamic region. These stories, which explore how national and global forces could influence Greater Philadelphia's future, will serve as a spotlight on the region's challenges and opportunities, enabling business, civic, labor, and government leaders to identify what is most likely to drive our success as a region.  ...more