September 28th 2018
Growing Our Communities Now and In the Future Together: The Role of Think Tanks in the 21st Century
This week 150 leaders from Philadelphia are visiting Seattle, and a think tank, the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, is leading the way. In the 21st century, policy change doesn’t happen without engaged citizens, and it increasingly happens on the local level. Read More
September 28th 2018
Billy Penn: Why 150 Philly leaders are spending the weekend in Seattle
This weekend, several dozen leaders from various Philadelphia companies, nonprofits, agencies and institutions will come together to discuss ways to move the city forward. Like other local “convenings” — the trendy term for this kind of confab — the gathering is designed encourage collaboration and... Read More
June 21st 2018
Overhauling its bus network may be on SEPTA’s schedule soon
Buses are the sick man of SEPTA’s transit options. Though overall ridership has remained relatively flat, bus trips have fallen 33 million, or 17 percent, over the last five years. Now, after a yearlong examination, transit consultant Jarrett Walker has turned in his official diagnosis: A complete... Read More
April 19th 2018
Broke in Philly? Nearly half of us are
For the last decade, Philadelphia has been unable to shake its notorious distinction as the poorest big city in the United States. More than a quarter of the city’s residents are experiencing poverty, meaning a family of four earns less than $25,100 per year. Forty percent of those are struggling to... Read More
March 28th 2018
Greater Philadelphia added 420 new tech jobs in 2017, CompTIA report says
A new report from CompTIA shows tech job growth in Philadelphia stayed flat from 2016 to 2017, adding just 420 net tech jobs. That puts the region 34th in terms of net tech employment jobs added, but with about 222,200 tech workers in Greater Philadelphia, the region ranks as 13th in the country for... Read More
March 23rd 2018
Analysis of the City of Philadelphia Five-Year Plan
To aid in deliberation around the City of Philadelphia FY2019 budget and FY2019-2023 Five-Year Plan, the Economy League has compiled analysis to situate budget discussions within the broader context of the Philadelphia economy in 2018 and examine key linkages between the Five-Year Plan and what we... Read More
March 14th 2018
Philly businesses look To Amazon, Seattle for lesson in best practices
Local businesses are looking to Amazon and Seattle for a lesson in best practices. The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia Leadership Exchange program helps businesses study companies and cities from across the country so they can implement their new-found knowledge in the Delaware Valley. Read More
March 5th 2018
Business leaders commend Kenney for budget proposal, but remain skeptical
Mayor Jim Kenney's latest budget proposal follows the self-reliant approach to education funding the current administration brought to City Hall with his inauguration in 2016. Pitching an increase to both property and realty transfers taxes, the budget proposal received praise from many business... Read More
February 26th 2018
With school deficits looming, Philly debates tax strategy ahead of new budget
As Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney readies his next proposed budget this week, a recent City Council tax policy hearing featured several familiar voices and perspectives on how he could deal with deficits looming for the city school district. Read More
February 15th 2018