ED & Workforce Committee 04062026

The City of Charlotte's Economic Development & Workforce Committee met on April 6, 2026, to discuss procurement-driven workforce participation programs and project selection committee processes. A significant portion of the meeting focused on leveraging the city's procurement policies to support workforce development goals, including hiring, training, and apprenticeship opportunities tied to city-funded projects. Staff presented successful examples from major city projects like the Charlotte Convention Center and Airport, highlighting substantial local wage earnings and tax benefits. The committee discussed next steps such as identifying procurement opportunities for workforce goals, developing evaluation criteria, and piloting these approaches on selected projects. Additionally, the meeting addressed the role of city council members on project selection committees, reviewing best practices from Mecklenburg County and considering policy design to balance council involvement with procurement integrity. The committee also reviewed youth employment initiatives, including a proposed $1.5 million annual investment in the Road to Hire program to provide structured career pathways and paid internships for youth. The meeting concluded with updates on small business month events and recognition efforts. No formal votes were recorded, but the committee expressed strong support for integrating workforce development into procurement and project selection processes.