Economic Development

It is vitally important that the City of Greensboro regain and build upon the momentum of economic investment and expansion. Having a robust plan is essential. My plan will engage our residents and stakeholders in a collaborative effort with City resources.

How I Plan to Lead Economic Development

• Leverage my skills:
  • 30+ years of business experience with Wells Fargo, AT&T, and Lincoln Financial in strategic planning, budgeting, finance, operations, program development, customer service, and innovation
  • Project management experience from standing up an operation to ‘making payroll’

• Proactively support:
  • Small business development and retention
  • Attracting new businesses and corporations to Greensboro
  • Improved job and career opportunities
  • Attract and retain our high school, community college, and university graduates
  • Commitment to investing in worker power, support for unions, and living wages
  • Encourage vibrant entertainment centers
  • Removal of efficiency and process obstacles within City departments
  • The $135M in bond referendums
    • $70 million - Parks and Recreation
    • $30 million - Housing
    • $15 million - Transportation
    • $14 million - Firefighting Facilities
    • $6 million - Public Safety

• Focus on infrastructure across the city with vision and scale to proactively prepare the City for the future:
  • Maintaining and retaining proper staffing in all departments
  • Planning & Zoning
  • Streets, Traffic Control, & Sidewalks
  • Water and Wastewater
  • Transportation
  • Workforce Training & Development
  • Housing 
  • Affordable Housing
  • Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
  • Educational, Entertainment, Historical, & Recreational opportunities

#H2 SOLUTIONS

• Since joining Council in Sept 2021, I have successfully championed:
  • Motion 2021-499: Approving City loan process improvements to housing program loans and grants process to streamline effectiveness, reduce barriers and resolve outstanding deferred loans
  • Motion 2021-421: Approved establishing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Fund to provide education, training, work-based learning opportunities, and entrepreneurial training to adults and youth in historically marginalized neighborhoods for the purposes of connecting residents to career pathways in high-demand/high-wage positions that will lead to economic independence
  • Motion 2021-500: Approved amended boundaries to the Impact Zone Map of the economic development incentive program guidelines to assist in creating new full-time employment, retaining existing jobs and increasing the tax base throughout the City
  • Motion 2021-541: Approved that 'permitted uses' be allowed to extend operations outside the establishment (e.g. downtown restaurants to ‘expand’ outside at street level)

• As a part of Greensboro City Council, I have also supported:
  • Jobs, Jobs, Jobs - Includes over 6,000 jobs from Toyota, Boom Supersonic, Publix, L T Apparel, Volvo, Procter & Gamble, RPM Wood Finishes, and more!
  • Approving development of the Lidl grocery store in the downtown ‘food desert’
  • Annexing, by request, 350+ acres of land into the City of Greensboro that will represent $20 million in infrastructure investment and the construction of 1,200 - 1,300 homes
  • Establishing the ‘Social District’ to revitalize downtown and support small businesses
  • Hiring Taiwo 'Tai' Jaiyeoba - Greensboro City Manager. His expertise in planning and transportation will be especially vital to Greensboro going forward

It is imperative that we take intentional action to maintain and protect Greensboro's residents and our reputation as a "family-friendly" city.  Public safety is an important function of every municipality whether it's for existing or prospective residents and businesses. 

Comparing 2021 to 2017, we have seen increases in crimes against persons in our communities:

• Homicide - up 17%
• Aggravated Assault w/ Firearm - up 17%
• Aggravated Assault - up 33%
• Intimidation - up 351%
• Response times by GPD have slowed (due in part to reduced staffing and attrition)::
  • Priority 1 (crimes against persons) - up 11%
  • Priority 2 (all other calls) - up 37%

How I Plan to Be Intentional About Public Safety

• Proactive support, with accountability, for:
  • Greensboro Police Department 
  • Greensboro Fire Department
  • Guilford Metro 9-1-1

• Focus on:
  • Adequate staffing & retention programs
  • Comprehensive training & preparation
  • Access to the proper tools to get the job done
  • Improved Response Times with effective presence
  • Increased on-the-job resources such as mental health support
  • Prioritization on de-escalation and nonviolent intervention with transparency and accountability

#H2 Solutions

• Since joining Council in Sept 2021, I have successfully championed:
  • Motion: To direct city staff to develop a plan to fully staff the Greensboro police Department within 18-24 months
  • Endorsed the establishment of the City Safety Review Board to address violent crime within the City of Greensboro

• As a part of Greensboro City Council, I have also supported:
  • Promote neighborhood watches in District Town Halls
  • Collaboration with Community Leaders, Partnerships, and City-sponsored committees:
    • Greensboro Criminal Justice Advisory Committee (GCJAC)
    • Police Community Review Board (PCRB)
  • Source opportunities for youth to live, work, and engage 

Greensboro is only as strong as its citizens.  Our plan is to be inclusive and encourage others to actively participate in the decisions of our neighborhoods and communities across the City as we build a better Greensboro together.

Go B.I.G. and (B)elieve (I)n (G)reensboro!

Some of my past and present Go B.I.G. community engagement includes

• Current
  • Board of Trustees, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, University of North Carolina
  • Board of Trustees, College Foundation Inc. of North Carolina
  • Vice President, Theta Omicron Foundation
  • Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Greensboro Housing Coalition
  • Secretary, Board of Directors, NCCJ of the Piedmont Triad
     
• Previous
  • President, AT&T Pioneers Volunteer Network, Piedmont Triad Council
  • Chair, Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Greensboro
  • Chair, Board of Adjustment, City of Greensboro
  • Chair, African American Leadership Group, United Way of Greater Greensboro
  • Chair, Communities in Schools of Greater Greensboro
  • Co-Chair, 2015 Greensboro Emancipation Proclamation Sesquicentennial Celebration
  • Treasurer, Guilford Child Development
  • Board of Directors, International Civil Rights Center and Museum
  • Board of Directors, Community Theatre of Greensboro

How I Plan to Drive Community Engagement

• Proactive support, with accountability, for:
  • The importance of community engagement for the continued success of Greensboro
  • Encouraging:
    • Citizens to engage and participate with community-based organizations and non-profits
    • Residents and students to serve on the City of Greensboro's boards and commissions

• Focus on:
  • Highlighting the benefits of community engagement to include:
    • Having a ‘voice’ in making decisions in our community
    • Building effective relationships with people you might not ordinarily interact with
    • Networking for the future
    • Fostering the importance of mutually beneficial mentorships
    • Making a real difference in Greensboro
  • Proactively work to diversify the composition of the boards and commissions to include age, sex, experience, ethnicity, etc

#H2 Solutions

• Since joining Council in Sept 2021, I have successfully championed:
  • Community Outreach:
    • Serving as Guest Speaker and Lead Panelist for ‘Paying It Forward - Honoring Black Women in Politics’ event hosted by the NC A&T chapter of Black Girls Vote and NAACP
    • Participated in the Montagnard Dega Association’s ‘Collaboration and Negotiations’ workshop at their annual End of Year Partnerships Celebration dinner
  • Co-sponsored a Council resolution honoring the life of Kenneth A. Free, Sr
  • Sponsoring a Council resolution honoring the life of Gerald L. Truesdale, MD
  • Completed appointments to Boards and Commissions
  • Working with City staff:
    • To improve citizen awareness, understanding, and access to the City’s boards and commissions website
    • To streamline the Councilmembers’ process to receive, review, and approve appointments to the City's boards and commissions
  • Adding links to my website for community based organizations and non-profits

• As a part of Greensboro City Council, I have also supported:
  • Participation and engagement in various Town Hall events held across the City
  • Bringing attention to engagement opportunities during my events across the City