The Mills Means Jobs Plan

By Catherine Smith Mills

My top goal at City Hall is to eliminate unnecessary barriers for business creation and growth. I will fight for all Cincinnatians to have access to work opportunities. I will work to develop new policies, research tax incentives, and create a "common sense" business friendly atmosphere in which companies of all sizes have an opportunity to succeed. Lastly, I will support cooperation at the county and state levels to encourage future growth.

My top goal at City Hall is to eliminate unnecessary barriers for business creation and growth. I will fight for all Cincinnatians to have access to work opportunities. I will work to develop new policies, research tax incentives, and create a "common sense" business friendly atmosphere in which companies of all sizes have an opportunity to succeed. Lastly, I will support cooperation at the county and state levels to encourage future growth.

Access to Jobs

• Supporting Start-up Firms: New business owners sacrifice to pursue the American Dream and as their businesses grow they help build our local economy. Cincinnati can position itself as a nationally known hub for start-up firms, if we support entrepreneurs with increased funding and access to information. This region has many private and public organizations working to educate entrepreneurs and provide funds; however, resources can be difficult to find when navigating through various sources for eligibility. I support the creation of a comprehensive "Start-Up One Stop" webpage on the City's website that will connect individuals who are looking to start or expand a business in Cincinnati with all local public and private resources listed. This page will highlight resources, give how-to information, and "spotlight" local business success. I also support the expansion of the Micro City Loan Fund in scope and allocation. We need to support more start-ups by expanding our relationship with private firms who are experts in micro-lending and business development.

• For Cincinnati's Youth: Summer and after-school jobs for teenagers are an important benchmark in life. First jobs teach work ethic, basic job skills, time-management and set the foundation for networking and future job opportunities in the years ahead. We need to serve more Cincinnati youth in our city by giving them access to employment. I support the development of a Youth Jobs Advisory Council that will stand as a public- private partnership between the City of Cincinnati, local educators, and experts in the field of business to ensure that we have a lasting program that allows for internship and job creation opportunities. This partnership will allow for increased employment for Cincinnati's young people, while creating sustainability in the youth work program expansion.

• Opportunities for Ex-Offenders: Ex-Offenders in Cincinnati and across the country often have an uphill battle when looking for employment. While Cincinnati has several strong reentry programs in the area, finding work after completing a reentry program can still be a challenge. I support the creation of an "Access to Work Tax Credit" municipal tax credit that would encourage Cincinnati businesses to hire individuals who have gone through a reentry program and are in good standing with the law. Removing barriers to employment will help to defeat the cycle of poverty and crime in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati needs to make it easier for businesses to locate here, expand, and thrive. We need to cut the red tape at City Hall and open access to contract work to increase jobs. Ending the bureaucracy and inefficiencies is a first step in attraction and retention.

• Small Business Enterprise De-Regulation: In order to become a certified small business in Cincinnati, one must be certified by the city as a Small Business Enterprise before they are eligible for city work contracts. For small firms who have already registered through a government or other organizational entity, this can be another barrier to needed work and job opportunity. To lessen this red tape, I support a system that accepts a SBE certification that has already been obtained by the business from another government agency or approved program. This will ensure that small companies that presently may not have the staffing to meet these requirements are not excluded from having the opportunity to bid.

• Permits: While recent changes have attempted to enhance the permit process through the Business Development and Permit Center, improvements still need to be made. Permits and variance requests are often a lengthy process that may take up to several weeks to receive an answer. I support making the permit process more customer and business friendly by empowering our Zoning Plans Examiners and City Planners to have the authority to make common sense decisions that will cut down on time and cost for developers, businesses, and individuals. Variance hearings are scheduled during normal business hours, so many homeowners and community members must take off work for answers on home improvements and special projects. I support having one hearing a month in the evening so that citizens who are not able to participate during the day can request an alternate option.

Cincinnati's road map for future economic growth must rely on cooperation at the regional and state level. Good planning, clear communication, and expanded public-private partnerships are the key to sustainable growth.

• Local and Regional Economic Development: The City has an excellent opportunity to allow growth and development at the hands of experts, not government, with an expanded role for the Port Authority. By focusing city and county development efforts out of one central development organization, projects would move more efficiently ensuring that local priorities are moving in the same direction as regional ones. It will be important for our future growth and economic solvency that City Council Members & Hamilton County Commissioners work together when possible to meet the needs of the citizens.

• Cooperation with State Government: Many of our neighboring states have seen recent success in job creation and growth in the last few years. When states and municipalities work together toward future goals, great success can be realized. While we already collaborate on many projects, I support an even closer partnership with the state to implement innovative public-private partnerships to fund local development in a more strategic manner. By doing so, we also can position ourselves ahead of local projects. Other projects that could be pursued could involve state-wide tax incentives such as a Sales Tax Financing Plan, which our neighbors have in Kentucky, and various other legislative items. In order for Cincinnati to prosper over the long term, it is important that we proactively work with local State officials to make sure our businesses and investors stay in Cincinnati.