Workforce Development and Social Enterprise Announcement

WHO:     Mayor Dwight C. Jones, City of Richmond
                Matt McGee, President, Strickland Machine Company
               Jamison Manion, Programs Administrator, City of Richmond’s Workforce Development Program
               Thad Williamson, Director, Mayor’s Office of Community Wealth Building
               Jakob Helmboldt, City’s Bicycle, Pedestrian and Trails Coordinator

WHAT:       Workforce Development and Social Enterprise Announcement

WHEN:      Thursday, June 26, 2014 at 9:30 a.m.

WHERE:    Strickland Machine Company
                     2400 Magnolia Court
                     Richmond, VA 23223

BACKGROUND:

The City of Richmond will highlight specifics of a workforce development agreement with Strickland Machine Shop to produce bicycle racks for locations around the city during a 9:30 a.m. press event on Thursday, June 24 at Strickland Machine Company, 2400 Magnolia Court.

The City's Workforce Development Program is an outgrowth of recommendations of the Mayors Anti-Poverty Commission, now known as the Maggie L. Walker Initiative for Expanding Opportunity and Fighting Poverty. The Workforce Development Program’s focus is the education and development of a viable workforce in the city of Richmond. As more employment opportunities and businesses come to the city, it is important that the workforce is prepared to compete and excel in today’s job market. The Program has assisted in the training and employment of hundreds of city residents, and the City wants to encourage more businesses to get involved in providing additional employment opportunities.