ReNewHaven ReNewHaven.groupsite.com

We have accepted President Barack Obama's invitation to participate in a White House Community Jobs Forum, which will take place at sites across the nation. Please join us in a very important event taking place at Gateway Community College this Thursday, December 10, 2009 on the Long Wharf campus from 4 - 6 pm.

The Forum will bring together community leaders, organizations, and individuals "to identify every possible avenue for job creation" and collect "input from across the country" to identify opportunities and obstacles on the ground," according to Valerie Jarrett, Special Assistant to President Obama, who is organizing the program nationwide.

Gateway's program, which is hosted by the Center for a Sustainable Future, led by Dr. David N. Cooper, Dean of Corporate and Continuing Education, will collect feedback and perspectives from the audience representing the New Haven community. Responses to specific questions provided by the Obama administration will be submitted to the White House.

"The Obama administration is particularly interested in identifying how the President's approach is impacting job creation in this area and its relevance to the New Haven regional economy," according to Dean Cooper. "Forum participants will be asked to help identify what parts of the local economy are working or thriving, expanding and hiring, as well as those that still are struggling and hit the hardest. The administration also is interested in learning which businesses and sectors seem most poised to rebound."

Participants at the forum will be asked to identify what they believe are the "jobs of the future," the major obstacles to job creation in the New Haven region, and factors and incentives that could make businesses more likely to start hiring. The President also is eager to hear other issues and ideas he should consider, according to the White House memo.

Dr. Dorsey L. Kendrick, President of Gateway Community College, will make introductory remarks. Dean David N. Cooper will moderate the event. Mr. Jean William, President of 5 Million Green Jobs; Adrienne Houel, President of Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, and Peter G. Curtis, Adjunct Professor at GWCC and instructor of our course in Sustainable Business Development, as well as head of Vets Link, will serve as panelists.

There will be time for significant input and discussion from the audience, with the program format following the guidelines provided by The White House.

We will compile local information and send it on to The White House.