Chamber lays out workforce programs and civic-engagement center; aims to add 12,000 workers by 2029

Representatives of the Chamber outlined a portfolio of workforce and civic-engagement programs supported by Innovate 28, emphasizing partnerships with education, employers and workforce navigators. Chamber witnesses said the Good Jobs Challenge has supported hundreds of residents and that the Chamber uses a concierge program, volunteer welcome committees and industry sector partnerships to retain and connect talent.

Jane, the Chamber's vice president for workforce and talent, said the Good Jobs Challenge and Innovate 28 investments are designed to make the region more competitive and to retain students and new hires. "Through our good jobs challenge ... we have been able to empower over 778 individuals to upscale," she said. Julie Whitney of Gate City Bank highlighted a headline objective: "One of the primary goals is to add 12,000 workers to the regional labor force by 2029," and described the bank's investments in childcare and housing as complementary to workforce recruitment.

Kale Dunwoody, the Chamber's VP of public policy, also described the center for civic engagement's nonpartisan voter resources, candidate workshops and employer toolkits as part of long-term efforts to strengthen civic participation and leadership pipelines.