Madison is open, accessible and connected to the world
We are becoming more diverse and thus more like the world around us. It is important for Madison to reach out to the rest of the world. Since becoming Mayor, I have had the privilege of representing Madison in Italy, Jerusalem and Japan. Building relationships with government, academic and business people all over the world makes us more competitive and literally puts us on the map. The Sister City program can inspire us with ways to enhance our local economy and reduce the environmental impact of our region.
Closer to home, the Department of Civil Rights has been very active in its first full year of operation. In an effort to make city government better reflect the diversity of our community, the Department’s recruiter attended nearly two dozen job fairs in 2007.
In the area of supporting local businesses that have traditionally been underrepresented in contracting with the City, the Department actively works to certify small businesses, minority businesses, women businesses and disadvantaged businesses. Nearly $5.8 million worth of City contracts were obtained by these businesses in 2007 as the result of this program.
The Department also was active in working to educate the public on equal rights issues such as open housing laws, fair employment practices and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The City has pledged $1 million to jump start the Urban League's capital campaign for its new Center for Economic Development at the Villager Mall, which will allow the League to expand its workforce development programs and business development services and build a road to economic success for those who have been left behind. The City has also worked closely with MATC to develop their Small Business Resource Center.
We are supporting a variety of efforts aimed at creating employment and job training opportunities, including Diana Shinall’s Madison Apprenticeship Program on Allied Drive; the Building Trades’ START program for apprenticeships; and Best Value Contracting, a program which requires contractors who do business with the city to offer apprenticeship programs.
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