ECONOMY AND JOBS
Please provide comments at the bottom once you have reviewed the action items
GOAL: Expanded Economic Development
Sources: SNP, CC
Advocate for a new grocery store
(HIGH Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the development of a new grocery store, including identifying potential sites, partners, and incentives, such as those related to area Opportunity Zones; Potential locations include Bellfort, Cullen, and Holmes Road
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Advocate, Support
- Community Connectors: Harris County Precinct 1, Harris County Healthy Food Financing Initiative, The Food Trust, TIRZ #26, Area Real Estate Developers, Common Market | Role: Support, Implement
Create an Economic Development Plan
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the creation of an economic development plan that focuses on opportunities related to urban farming and agriculture, infrastructure improvements, and solar energy, and which includes an inventory of available and publicly owned land, updates to area market studies, retail and service gaps, potential funding, incentives, and support for new economic development, capital improvements projects, local businesses, and entrepreneurs
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: Unity is Wealth, TIRZ #26, Sunnyside Energy Trust, South Union CDC AgHub, Sunnyside Community Redevelopment Organization, Common Market | Role: Support, Implement
Expand access to full-service banking
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the development of a new local bank or credit union committed to supporting residents, area businesses, and the community, including the possibility of a community-owned credit union; Identify why other commercial banks have left the neighborhood, such as Chase, to understand the barriers to providing financial services
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: Unity is Wealth, City of Houston Controller’s Office Bank On Houston Program, Urban League, United Way | Role: Support
Advocate for new retail and amenities
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Identify tools and resources, including financial incentives such as Opportunity Zones, to advocate for new retail, restaurants, entertainment (bowling alley, movie theater), and shopping destinations that build on the character and opportunities in the neighborhood, including temporary commercial development such as a food truck park or drive-in movie theater
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | City Role: Support
- Community Connectors: International Economic Development Council, TIRZ #26, Area Real Estate Developers | Role: Support, Advocate
Advocate for the proposed solar farm project
(LOW Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate and organize to support and identify partners for the proposed solar farm project
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | City Role: Support
- Community Connectors: International Economic Development Council, TIRZ #26, Area Real Estate Developers | Role: Support, Advocate
GOAL: Connected Jobs, Opportunities, and Resources
Sources: SNP, CC
Bring a Workforce Solutions to the neighborhood, or develop a new “supercenter” model
(HIGH Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for the development of a “supercenter” in Sunnyside which would include a Workforce Solutions, Houston Financial Empowerment Center, and small business assistance center; Explore the possibility of the “supercenter” to be located at the new Sunnyside Multi-Service Center
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Office of Business Opportunity, Houston Financial Empowerment Center | Role: Support, Organize, Implement
- Community Connectors: Gulf Coast Workforce Board, City of Houston General Services Division, Houston Health Department | Partner Role: Organize, Implement
Develop a Sunnyside Youth Apprenticeship Program
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Develop a program to connect youth to apprenticeships in diverse disciplines and trades, including plumbing, electrical, construction, solar energy, arts, agriculture, and others
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Education | City Role: Support
- Community Connectors: HISD, Unity is Wealth, HCC, South Union CDC, AgHub, Sunnyside Energy Trust, Prairie View A&M University, AgriLife Extension Program | Role: Support, Advocate, Implement
Expand local hiring and community benefits agreements
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Advocate for community benefit agreements and local hiring for publicly funded projects in the neighborhood
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support
GOAL: Thriving Local Businesses and Entrepreneurs
Source: CC
Develop a Sunnyside Youth Farmers Market and Entrepreneurship Program
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Identify partnerships, funding, and strategies to create a Sunnyside Youth Farmer's Market and Entrepreneurship program which would provide training in farming, entrepreneurial skills, retailing, and product development
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Education | City Role: Support
- Community Connectors: Worthing High School, Pro Vision Charter School, HISD, Hope Farms, South Union CDC, AgHub, HCC, Ivy Leaf Farms, Common Market, Prairie View A&M AgriLife Extension, Sunnyside Solar Energy Trust | Role: Support, Advocate, Implement
Connect area entrepreneurs and start-ups to resources
(MEDIUM Priority)
ACTION STEPS: The Office of Business Opportunity to develop outreach materials and host community-based workshops promoting the programs and services available through the Solutions Center, including business development resources, legal counseling, minority, and women-owned business certification workshops, and information on Hire Houston First policies
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Organize, Outreach
- City: Office of Business Opportunity | Role: Support, Organize, Outreach, Implement
- Community Connectors: Unity is Wealth, HCC, YWCA, TIRZ #26, Area small business owners and entrepreneurs | Role: Support
Develop a façade improvement program
(LOW Priority)
ACTION STEPS: Develop and implement a façade improvement program to improve the viability of area small businesses
COORDINATION
- Community: Sunnyside NST | Role: Advocate
- City: Mayor’s Office of Economic Development | Role: Support
- Community Connectors: Area Commercial Property Owners | Role: Support, Advocate
