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SubscribeMayor Greg Fischer launched his SummerWorks jobs program for 2017 last week by setting a goal for a new record of employers involved, and proclaiming it necessary to ensure “a pipeline of future talent.”
“Summer jobs are critical building blocks for young people, and SummerWorks is crucial for the health of the local economy, because it creates a pipeline of future talent,” Mayor Fischer said. “We want Louisville’s business culture to be one where every company, large and small, hires or sponsors summer jobs for youth.”
A 2016 study confirmed the value of the effort. Young people participating in SummerWorks are more likely to stay in the workforce and pursue postsecondary education, according to an analysis of the program by the Kentucky Center for Education and Workforce Statistics.
Last year, more than 140 companies and organizations hired SummerWorks youth. Mayor Fischer said momentum is already building for this summer, including many employers that will hire youth through the program for the first time, including Coastal Cloud, Hyatt Hotel, McDonald’s local franchises, MSD and the Speed Art Museum. Other companies, including GE and Humana, are doubling the number of young people they hire.
Today’s SummerWorks kickoff was at Kindred Healthcare, which plans to hire 10 youth this summer, after becoming a new SummerWorks employer last year.
The push for a stronger public/private partnership is being enhanced by Greater Louisville Inc., which is encouraging its member businesses to step up and support the program by hiring more young people for summer jobs.
“SummerWorks is an investment in the regional talent pipeline,” said Kent Oyler, president & CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. “Companies that hire young workers this summer are training people who may become their full-time employees. We want to rally our business community, get them involved In SummerWorks and connect our talented young people with the future career opportunities that exist in Greater Louisville.”
Companies and organizations that aren’t able to directly hire youth this summer can instead sponsor jobs. A donation of $2,500 funds a summer job at a non-profit organization or city agency.
Also today, Mayor Fischer announced a “challenge” donation of $250,000 to the SummerWorks program by businessman Paul Diaz and his family. Diaz is a former CEO of Kindred Healthcare and has been a volunteer advisor, donating a “huge amount of time, talent and advocacy” to help grow the summer jobs initiative.
SummerWorks this year will expand its focus on creating job experiences that build entrepreneurial skills in young people. Program organizers will set up six groups of youth to work as a start-up company in collaboration with local tech firms and creative agencies.
SummerWorks also will continue working closely with Jefferson County Public Schools to place students in jobs that match up with what they are learning in school, and jobs in the key business sectors the city is focused on growing, such as technology, healthcare and business services.
“Our students have a chance, through the SummerWorks program, to get out of the classroom and apply the skills they’ve learned at some of our city’s top employers,” said Dr. Donna Hargens, superintendent of Jefferson County Public Schools. “In addition to expanding their learning experiences, our students also gain critical job experience and networking skills that will help them graduate prepared, empowered and inspired to reach their full potential.”
A new partnership with Louisville YouthBuild will bring expertise in helping at-risk youth who register for summer jobs. YouthBuild will provide additional mentoring and job-coaching for youth placed directly by staff, and will provide access to a network of supportive services and resources. SummerWorks and YouthBuild are striving to provide a more positive experience and stronger long-term outcomes for young people involved in the program.
SummerWorks, which is operated by KentuckianaWorks, the workforce development agency for the Louisville area, was recognized by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 2014 as one of the nation’s best summer jobs programs for young people.
The Mayor launched SummerWorks after taking office in 2011, in response to the elimination of federal funding for summer jobs. In that first year, the effort placed 200 young people in jobs. Last summer, more than 5,100 youth found summer work through the program and its champion employers.
Other businesses that have committed to hiring SummerWorks youth this year include 4th Street Live, Dare to Care, GlowTouch Technologies, Interapt, Kentucky Kingdom, Kroger, Louisville Zoo, Norton Healthcare, Oxmoor Auto Group, YMCA of Greater Louisville and UPS.
Both employers and youth participants can quickly sign up for or donate to the program at www.summerworks.org.
Citing $9 billion in investments – ranging from new libraries in Okolona and the east end, to restoration of Colonial Gardens in the south end, to 23 new hotels in and around downtown – Mayor Greg Fischer focused his seventh annual State of the City address on Louisville as “one rising American city.”
“Our city overall has achieved a level of prosperity unlike anything in recent memory,” he said in remarks made during a Downtown Rotary Club luncheon held at the Baxter Community Center at Beecher Terrace.
But there is work yet to do, he said, noting that, “To take our place alongside great global cities, we have to ensure that prosperity spreads throughout our city.”
(Read Mayor Fischer’s entire speech here)
In his six years in office, the Mayor has rotated the location for the State of City address throughout the community. This year’s location was a nod to one of Louisville Metro Government’s biggest recent announcements – a $29.5 million federal grant to redevelop the Russell neighborhood, which Mayor Fischer said is “a tremendous and important opportunity” that will have ripple effects throughout the city.
In a speech that centered on economic and job growth throughout Louisville’s many diverse neighborhoods, the Mayor noted that Russell has a proud past and a promising future.
“I can’t think of a better place from which to examine where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going,” he said.
In an overview to open his speech, he said the city has seen:
- Creation of 61,000 new jobs and 2,600 new businesses;
- Our unemployment rate drop from more than 10 percent to 3.5 percent, the lowest in 15 years;
- Our median wage, adjusted for the cost of living, increase every year since 2008. In 2015 alone, more than 10,000 Louisvillians lifted themselves out of poverty, and more than 7,000 Louisville families joined the middle class.
As he took his audience on a virtual tour of the city, the Mayor highlighted the $320 million Omni Louisville Hotel in downtown; new restaurants and businesses in NuLu, Butchertown, Sheppard Square and Portland; and library expansions and construction in south Louisville, St. Matthews and east Jefferson County.
He noted that Louisville has become a top-tier tourist destination, welcoming over 24 million tourist visits a year, largely thanks to Bourbonism, which brings people to the city year-round for restaurant and distillery experiences on our Urban Bourbon trail.
He also highlighted the city’s commitment to affordable housing, as witnessed by a $2.5 million allocation for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund this fiscal year, and $12 million in loans and support from Louisville CARES to develop more affordable units in all corners of our community.
Emphasizing Metro’s focus on jobs and economic development, the Mayor discussed the Global Louisville Action Plan, which lays out strategies to attract, retain and grow our foreign-born population. “A great city must be a global city,” he said. “We need people who can help us think, work, connect and compete globally.”
The Mayor also announced during his speech that:
- He is asking the Metro Council to add hookah and e-cigarettes to the city’s Smoke Free ordinance.
- The Compassionate School Project, which began with three Jefferson County Public Schools in 2015, is expanding to 25 schools next year.
- Metro Government has received a $100,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support the Cultural Pass, which provides the city’s children with free access to dozens of our city’s great cultural institutions.
Mayor Fischer closed his remarks by urging Louisville’s residents to take an active part in helping the city succeed.
“The people who have the greatest power to shape the future of Louisville are the people of Louisville,” he said. And, “To make the most of that power, we must face the opportunities and challenges before us together, as one community. Our fates are as connected as our streets and the air we breathe.”
Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes this week met with Chinese Embassy officials to continue to cultivate the economic and cultural relationship between Kentucky and the People’s Republic of China. Grimes is Kentucky’s chief business official.
“As Secretary of State, I look for every opportunity to help grow Kentucky’s economy and further develop connections for our state and its businesses,” Grimes said. “Kentucky’s trading relationship with China is strong and continues to grow because of the many factors that make our state a great place to do business. I am hopeful that with continued dialogue we will see even more investment in the commonwealth.”
China is the commonwealth’s 4th largest export partner with more than $1.9 billion of Kentucky exports in 2015, a growth of more than 16 percent year over year.
Grimes traveled to China in 2015 to provide information about Kentucky, its business climate and economic development opportunities in the state as part of a delegation coordinated and funded by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.
During the week-long trip, Grimes spent time in several cities and met with various government and business officials. Numerous Kentucky companies, including Lexmark, KFC/Yum! Brands, Brown Forman, and Ashland Oil, have offices in China.
Grimes has also made visits to Birtley Industrial Equipment Corporation’s headquarters in Lexington and offices in China. Birtley, a manufacturer of advanced coal preparation products, was the first Chinese manufacturer to locate in Kentucky, investing approximately $10 million and creating as many as 50 new full-time jobs.
“Encouraging businesses to make Kentucky their home is vital to growing jobs and opportunity in our commonwealth,” said Grimes. “There are also many opportunities for Kentucky businesses to do business abroad, further growing Kentucky’s economy, and I am committed to helping build relationships with other countries to provide the foundation for those investments.”
The city has awarded loans totaling nearly $168,000 to nine small businesses to help them renovate or expand. The loans have been awarded by Louisville Forward Economic Development’s Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) and the Department of Community Services’ Microbusiness Development Program.
METCO loans have been awarded to the following businesses:
- Two loans were approved for Pointe Havens, LLC for its property located at 1600 Story Avenue. The loans will allow the owner to improve the façade of the building and make interior improvements to prepare the space for future commercial usage.
- $53,824 façade loan
- $40,000 KEOZ loan
- $34,286 energy efficiency loan was approved for Jackie Green and Cindy Baker for their property located at 2833 South 4th Street. The loan will allow the owners to place solar panels on the roof of the building. The addition of solar panels will help reduce energy consumption and lower the energy cost.
Microbusiness loans have been awarded to the following businesses:
- $15,000 loan to Trimen Solutions, LLC dba Trimen Career Placement Services located at 332 West Broadway, Suite 605. The loan will allow the owner, TraShaun Spencer, to expand services and assist with insurance, computer software and marketing.
- $5,000 loan to Mimi The Tax Lady, a start-up business offering full tax services, located at 1153 ½ South Second Street. The loan will allow the owner, Tamika Reed, to operate her business with purchase of equipment and computer software.
- $5,000 loan to Flex Bill, LLC, a start-up medical billing business privately owned by Roselena McGruder. The loan will help with the purchase of computer software, insurance and inventory for business operations.
- $5,000 loan to Pure Polish, a start-up residential and commercial green cleaning service. The loan will allow the owner, Andrea Moran, to purchase equipment and inventory.
- $5,000 loan to Oasis T. Shirts, a start-up t-shirt and graphic design business. The loan will help the owner, Orlando Sisney, purchase supplies, inventory and equipment.
- $3,000 loan to An Angels Touch, a start-up business in janitorial services. The loan will allow the owner, Bryanna Thomas, to purchase equipment and supplies.
- $1,500 loan to The Glory Shoppe, which started in 2016 as an Etsy on-line shop for purchasing handcrafted home décor. This loan will allow the owner, JoAnn Jackson, to purchase supplies.
The Metropolitan Business Development Corporation (METCO) governs metro government’s small business loans, which include facade, accessibility and gap financing loans. Because metro government is not the primary lender, the loan program allows many public-private partnerships between government and private business ventures that further the vitality and quality of life in the Louisville community.
The METCO board meets the fourth Thursday of each month. Meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. at the offices of Louisville Forward, located at 444 S. 5th Street, Suite 600. Meetings for 2017 are scheduled for January 26, February 23, March 23, April 27, May 25, June 29, July 27, August 24, September 28, October 26 and December 14.
To learn more about the METCO loan program, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/louisville-forward/local-loan-programs
Louisville Metro’s Microbusiness Development Program helps low and moderate income business owners with starting and growing small businesses. A microbusiness employs five or fewer people, including the owner. The program includes training, technical assistance and an opportunity to apply for a loan.
Many microbusinesses have little or no access to the commercial banking sector, and this loan program helps businesses owners who need capital. Loans range from $500 to $15,000. Borrowers have a choice of two programs, one for businesses which have been open for at least one year, and the one for start-up businesses.
For more information about Community Services’ microbusiness program, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/community-services/microbusiness-program.
A new Rental Registry for all rental property in Metro Louisville is now up and running online following the passage of an ordinance in September by the Louisville Metro Council.
Effective March 1, 2017, all property located in Louisville Metro and occupied or offered for occupancy in exchange for money or any other consideration must be registered with Louisville Metro Government. Failure to register is subject to a fine up to $100 per day per housing unit.
“Rental property owners have the next two and a half months to register their property through Develop Louisville. It is a simple process that can be completed online in less than five to ten minutes,” says Councilwoman Marianne Butler (D-15), who was the primary sponsor of the ordinance. “There online registration can also handle multiple property listings.”
The registration calls for:
- Rental property owners to include the rental unit street address.
- List current contact information of the owner and managing operator.
- New owners to register within thirty days of any ownership transfer.
- Any change in contact information to be updated on the registry within thirty days of the change.
Visit: https://www.louisvilleky.gov/government/codes-regulations, to establish an account and access the registry, or to get detailed information and instructions on registry requirements.
Registration is free and will be monitored by the staff of Develop Louisville.
The need for the Rental Registry was prompted after concerns were raised by code enforcement inspectors, citing the difficulty in finding a person who was responsible for the problem properties. Currently, some listings have only a Post Office Box number or LLC as contacts in the event of a violation.
It is important to remember, all rental property must be registered by March 1, 2017.
Currently, about 84,000 Kentuckians have a current QHP purchased on the exchange.
Here are “five things to know” about the move from kynect to healthcare.gov.
Transition facts:
We expect a smooth transition to healthcare.gov. People should be aware that kynect is not health insurance, it is a website. This transition changes the web portal people use to enroll. Healthcare.gov is used now in nearly 4 out of 5 states. Kentucky will save at least $10 million each year in operating costs by making the switch.
People should also be aware that there is less competition/choice for plans this year and premiums are increasing on the exchange by more than 20 percent. Regarding plan choice, people should know that this transition to healthcare.gov did not affect plan choice. All insurers made the same offerings regardless of the enrollment website selected, which are the same as in prior years. However, the instability created in the exchange markets by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has caused insurers to pull out of the exchange markets across the country, and we saw that here in Kentucky. If they did not pull out, they adjusted for the risk with substantial rate increases. Cost increases were not driven by the transition to healthcare.gov.
Here are some key points for Kentuckians to know:
- Nothing changes with 2016 coverage. Plans are still valid through Dec. 31, 2016.
- Beginning Nov. 1, 2016, Kentuckians who qualify for a Qualified Health Plan need to apply and enroll at HealthCare.gov for 2017 coverage.
- Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for 2017 Qualified Health Plan coverage is from Nov. 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2017. You must enroll by Dec. 15, 2016 for coverage to begin Jan. 1, 2017.
- If a person is enrolled in 2016 with an issuer that will not be offering plans in 2017 on HealthCare.gov, the enrollee will have more time to choose a plan for 2017 due to a Special Enrollment Period for Loss of Minimum Essential Coverage.
- Kentuckians can only get the tax credit, called APTC or Advanced Premium Tax Credit or a Cost Sharing Reduction that helps cover out-of-pocket costs by enrolling through HealthCare.gov.
- The Medicaid program and application process have not changed. If a person is enrolled in Medicaid, they do not need to do anything until their renewal/recertification date. If someone is Medicaid eligible, he/she can apply anytime during the year.
- The kynect call center (855-459-6328) is still here to help direct Kentuckians where to go for coverage. The call center will help prescreen for program eligibility and can assist with Medicaid applications. The call center can also help with questions and information.
- HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Where to apply
Kentuckians who have applied for or enrolled in coverage through kynect are receiving notices in the mail about the transition. These notices explain the transition and directs them where to go and what to do for 2017 coverage. Postcard reminders with relevant dates and helpful information are sent every three weeks to remind them to enroll and guide them through enrollment.
Beginning Nov. 1, the kynect website will serve as a landing page and offer detailed messaging and direction on when and where to apply. The kynect customer service contact center can assist with questions, prescreening eligibility, and Medicaid applications. When consumers call kynect they will hear a special message with information about changes for 2017. Their number is 855-459-6328.
Media advertising and events are planned to begin throughout the state to inform the public of where to go to apply and enroll.
The HealthCare.gov website has messaging in place for Kentucky residents as well as messages through their phone system. The HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The kynect Customer Service call center can assist with questions, prescreening eligibility, and Medicaid application at 855-459-6328.
There are specially trained groups that can offer in person assistance in every county. Kentuckians can search for an insurance agent or application assister (formerly called kynectors) who can work with them in person or over the phone to answer questions or get assistance with the application and enrollment process.
Kentuckians can use the “search” function on the kynect website or they can call Customer Service to help them find someone in the consumer’s area who can help them.
HealthCare.gov customer service call center can be reached at 800-318-2596 and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
HealthCare.gov targets:
While there has been plenty of media around the transition throughout the year, the most focused use of our resources has been a targeted campaign to contact people who have used kynect to purchase QHPs in the past. Only about 2 percent of Kentucky’s population purchases a QHP in a given year, so targeting resources to this group and doing it in the final month leading up to open enrollment and continuing through open enrollment is the most effective use of resources. These are strategies the state used effectively to re-enroll people after the Kentucky Co-Op collapsed and left 51,000 without insurance. Here are some of the targeted outreach activities:
- Targeted notices to Kentuckians explain the transition and steps enrollees or applicants need to take for 2017 coverage.
- Postcards will be mailed every three weeks during open enrollment to remind Kentuckians to complete the enrollment process on healthcare.gov.
- Issuers are also sending notices to their enrollees to notify them of changes and next steps.
- Insurance agents and application assisters have advertising tool kits for education and outreach efforts.
- Agents and assisters were provided a list of all their QHP enrollees for outreach.
- Social media messages will offer direction and information.
- Targeted advertisements will be placed on social media platforms.
- Text messaging and email campaigns will be sent to enrollees.
- Display advertising will be placed around the state.
- Radio spots will run in various markets.
You can also expect to see press releases with details for the general public leading up to open enrollment and continuing throughout with key dates.
Also, from an internal standpoint, additional training and technical assistance has been given to assistors or kynectors and agents so they can navigate consumers through the process. KOHBIE conducted eight forums throughout the state for stakeholders. Locations and dates were Sept. 20, Northern KY; Sept. 22, Frankfort; Oct. 3, Owensboro; Oct. 4, Paducah; Oct. 7, Louisville; Oct. 10, Morehead; Oct. 11, Prestonsburg; Oct. 13, Somerset.
Agents, navigators, advocacy groups, and other interested stakeholders attended these forums which were designed to inform and educate participants about the transition, the FFM processes, available trainings and resources (both federal and state level) and allowed for a question and answer period with KOHBIE staff. Again, we think this will help these groups to work with the public through open enrollment.
KOHBIE is hosting two webinars a week on different subjects to prepare agents and all assister types for the transition. Additional webinars will continue to be held on various topics as needed.
kynectors are application assisters:
Kentucky has a contract with the same organizations for assistance as in previous years and we expect similar levels of assisters as in previous years. Some volunteers and workers for these organizations are still in the process of completing training for HealthCare.gov and state training; therefore, we do not yet have the firm number of participating assisters for 2017. We are confident our assister agencies will have the ability to provide the same exceptional service.
kynectors are now called application assisters. Every county in Kentucky is served by a contracted organization for in-person assistance. kynectors have a very active outreach program that includes sign up events, advertising, and education opportunities. They will continue to be very active in the communities they serve. To contact an application assister, Kentuckians can use the search function on the kynect website or call the kynect customer service contact center.
All notices that were mailed to applicants and enrollees explaining the transition included contact information for the Application Assister or Insurance Agent of record.
It is worth noting that consumers cannot apply in the wrong way or place. For example, if an application is started in benefind but is QHP eligible, it will transfer to the federal marketplace. If a consumer submits an application to HealthCare.gov, it will be entered and if found potentially Medicaid eligible, it will be transferred to the state for eligibility determination. Same customer service number and websites are still here to help answer questions and direct people to the right place.
Louisville’s adult population has set a new record for college attainment, according to 2015 data released this week from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Highlights of the data include: The percentage of working-age adults with at least an associate degree now stands at 44.7 percent, up 3 percentage points over the previous year.
The percentage with at least a bachelor’s degree was also up to 35.7 percent, a 2.4 percentage point increase.
In addition, in the annual ranking of 15 “Peer Cities” tracked by the organization, Louisville moved up to the No. 9 position for adults with at least an associate’s degree, passing Greensboro, N.C. These are the most significant gains since 55,000 Degrees was created in 2010.
“This is the kind of news we’ve been working toward,” said Mary Gwen Wheeler, the executive director of 55,000 Degrees, Louisville’s education movement. “We are optimistic for the future as our partners continue to make positive progress toward our community goal. Louisville is continually developing the type of workforce we need for a 21st Century economy. There is still work to be done – we can’t get complacent.”
55,000 Degrees started six years ago, with a simple goal: By 2020, 50 percent of working-age adults in Louisville should have at least an associate degree. In 2010, just 40.1 percent of Louisville adults had a college degree.
“To compete in today’s economy, you need a highly skilled workforce,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, chairman of the 55,000 Degrees board. “We are encouraged to see progress being made, but we know we have to keep working.”
Education attainment has become a key measure of whether cities have the skilled workforce needed for a 21st Century economy. Growth in college attainment comes from increasing the percentage of high school graduates who go on to complete college degrees, from encouraging adult workers to return to school, and from attracting college-graduates to the region because of quality of life and work opportunities.
