Philadelphia Federal Reserve Hosts Conference To Improve Local Economies
by Mike Dougherty
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Improving local economies is the objective of a three-day conference hosted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.
Leaders from around the country are in the city to discuss ways to get more Americans working.
What can be done to improve the economic conditions in the nation's poorest neighborhoods?
Theresa Singleton with the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia says one of the most important steps is opening doors to jobs that don't require a bachelor's degree.
"And to make certain that young people know about them, that they are trained either through certification programs or other ways and put on a career pathway that can lead them to those job opportunities," said Singleton.
Mayor Jim Kenney continued carrying the Free Pre-K torch, telling the crowd that investments in early education now will be invaluable down the road.
"In the form of reduced need for social services, special ed, remediation, public safety activities, as well as increased tax revenue," said Mayor Kenney.
Conference organizers will contact attendees six months from now to see if anything learned here has been applied at home.