ASC's Intersections Newsletter — March 16, 2023
Nora's Note
Everyone in the pond. Offshore wind is raining opportunity for minority- and women-owned small business and in new jobs, especially for disadvantaged communities (DACs). The list of programs lining up to deliver on the promise includes Equinor's Supply Chain Expo series in Albany, NYC, and Long Island, the new NYCEDC Offshore Wind Waterfront Pathways program for M/W/DBEs, and NYSERDA's new Offshore Wind Training Institute. Outside the official programs, M/WBEs like us are heads down building smart strategies to increase capabilities, capacity, and delivery systems to fuel growth in offshore wind. These programs couldn't come at a better time.
Transportation
An obscure rule about bus stops can make riding at night safer. To address concerns about nighttime safety on public transportation, some agencies are clarifying their “request stop” policies. These policies let passengers request a stop between any two regularly scheduled bus stops at night for a shorter distance to their destination. The LA County Metropolitan Transportation Council re-emphasized this policy in its 2022 Gender Action Plan, yet many other transportation agencies do not apply policies consistently on all bus routes. Read more on how agencies across the country use request stop policies. (Source: Next City)
OregonLive: Oregon mulls ‘bike bus bill’ to fund alternative transportation to school
Smart Cities Dive: US DOT and Austin, Texas, launch first-of-its-kind $22 billion transportation partnership
New York Times: Why the New York Area Is Seeing an Explosive Growth in Electric Cars
Mass Transit Mag: First zero-emissions fuel cell ferry in the U.S. arrives in San Francisco
Energy/Environment
A new solar model is bringing bigger savings to renters in Minneapolis. Renewable energy and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) are allowing renters to save on their utility bills. A solar co-op and affordable housing collaborative from the Twin Cities is piloting a solar panel cooperative ownership program that has slashed utility bills for residents by 33%. The project is based in the Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, which provides affordable housing to the previously unhoused. Read more to learn how DERs and other renewables are benefiting communities nationwide. (Source: Energy News Network)
Economic Development
Number of women in the workforce tops pre-pandemic levels for first time. Women are returning to the workforce faster than expected following the decline in workforce participation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic’s most recent report indicated that women’s participation in the labor force currently sits at 77.8 million, or approximately 57.2% of the population. According to the report, 105,000 new jobs were added in the hospitality industry in February, an industry in which women hold the majority of positions. Read more on women’s return to the workforce and what could be ahead. (Source: Axios)
Route Fifty: Home-Based Care: Fixing the Childcare Drought in Rural America
AP: Governor launches supply chain initiative for Kentucky
Gothamist: City Council speaker seeks to expand guaranteed income for New Yorkers in need
Route Fifty: White House Pitches $1.6B in Anti-fraud Funding
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