Job Creation and Retention Trust Survey and Public Meeting, October 25

The Somerville Job Creation and Retention Trust (JCRT) Board is hosting its annual public forum on Tuesday, October 25, and launching a survey to understand community priorities for JCRT funds.

Since 2018, the Job Creation and Retention Trust has used linkage fees collected from commercial development projects to create and enhance employment opportunities for Somerville residents. To date, the job linkage fee has generated more than $2.1 million for job creation and retention programming. Over the last year, the JCRT Fund allocated more than $1 million to serve more than 350 residents with contextualized ESOL and experiential learning opportunities, industry-specific training programs, and workers’ rights trainings. A full overview of investments, outcomes, and recipient spotlights is provided in the 2021-2022 annual report, now available on the JCRT website. 

A significant influx of JCRT funds is expected to arrive over the coming year, and the Somerville community can weigh in on how to spend it. The JCRT Board has ranked a list of 14 proposed investments to prioritize funding. Potential investments include a “13th year” program to support low-income Somerville High School graduates, services to help individuals with misdemeanor offenses access employment, digital literacy training and resources, and much more. 

Residents and community members can share their feedback at the virtual on Tuesday, October 25, at 6 p.m. or by completing a brief survey online by November 11. The Board will review all feedback and reevaluate its priority list at its November meeting. To view the annual report, take the survey, register for the meeting, and view current funding opportunities, go to somervillema.gov/jcrt. 

Interpretation into Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, Nepali, Mandarin, Cantonese, or other languages may be available upon advance request by contacting the SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs at somerviva@somervillema.gov or calling 311 at 617-666-3311. 

Individuals with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication, written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures, in order to access the programs and activities of the City or to attend meetings, should contact the City’s ADA Coordinator, Adrienne Pomeroy, at 617-625-6600 x2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.