MAYOR NUTTER KICKS OFF JOBS WEEK

Philadelphia, February 7, 2011- Mayor Michael A. Nutter will host a series of jobs-related economic opportunity events throughout the city this week to announce the development or expansion of businesses in Philadelphia including the groundbreaking of 600 North Broad Street, a mixed-use venue that will redevelop an entire city block and the expansion of Urban Outfitters’ headquarters at The Navy Yard, which will bring 1,000 permanent jobs to the city over the next three years. In addition, he will outline his broad economic opportunity goals in a speech during the annual Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayoral Luncheon. In January, the Office of Economic Opportunity reported that in the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 the city’s contracting with minority-, women-, and disabled-owned businesses has risen 1.3 percent to a total of 23.7 percent. This translates into $47.5 million for MWD-owned firms over three months. These key events, which will be reinforced by other jobs-related announcements throughout the week, underscore the Administration’s record in attracting economic development by offering incentives for businesses and facilitating negotiations.rnrn“Even during the economic Recession, our Administration has worked tirelessly to attract business opportunities to Philadelphia and lay the foundation for the city’s 21st century sustainable economy. Our strategic investments will bring to Philadelphia jobs that will be here today and in twenty years in sectors as diverse as the green-collar economy, life sciences and healthcare, and hospitality,” said Mayor Nutter. “This week, we are announcing major investments reinforcing that Philadelphia is the smart city for business. We are a city on the way back and poised for growth and prosperity. We are a Philadelphia rising.”rnrnIn the past weeks and months, Mayor Nutter’s Administration has been working with corporate partners to attract new businesses to the city, actively supporting business expansion goals and leveraging cultural, educational and infrastructure assets that make Philadelphia an attractive and unique location for business development. During the Mayor’s term, the city has supported or announced:rno rno The Pennsylvania Convention Center’s $780 million expansion, which created 11,505 direct and indirect jobs and will open in 2011.rno Teva Pharmaceuticals’ development of a $310 million U.S. distribution facility in Philadelphia producing 770 construction jobs and 375 permanent positions for highly skilled life science sector employees.rno Liberty Property Trust’s groundbreaking of two new Navy Yard Commerce Center buildings, which will create over 100 construction jobs. This project marks Liberty Property Trust’s first major project, nationwide, in almost two years.rno Next Monday, the Mayor will announce Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for Esperanza, which will be leveraged to develop a mixed-use development and educational arts facility. The project will create eight full time jobs.rno Development of Temple University’s Performing Arts Center in the renovated Baptist Temple, which created 420 constructions jobs, 75 permanent jobs and serves as a performing arts destinations in North Philadelphia.rno The Neiman Group announced their Philadelphia office’s Center City expansion that was supported by Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporate (PIDC) Job Creation Tax Credits and created 17 new jobs in the creative economy sector.rno Campus Apartments is developing a new Campus Inn Hotel in West Philadelphia creating 250 constructions jobs and 43 permanent jobs. Because of its close proximity to area hospitals, this hotel development will improve the quality of life for individuals and families utilizing University City’s exceptional medical assets.rno Progress Plaza, the nation’s oldest African-American owned shopping center, underwent extensive renovations and re-opened in December 2009 with a new supermarket as the anchor tenant. The project not only created a new fresh food option in North Philadelphia, but it also created 270 permanent jobs.rnrn“Since the beginning of the Recession, as a city, we have made the difficult, painful choices. Our strong resolve to control spending early has allowed Philadelphia to preserve services, run more efficiently and be in a stronger fiscal position than many other cities. This commitment to preserving services fosters the conditions that make Philadelphia attractive to business,” Mayor Nutter elaborated. “It is the leadership of our Administration together with our private, public and philanthropic sector partners and the resolve of our citizens that have made Philadelphia an enticing magnet for new jobs.”rnrnUpcoming Jobs Week events:rnrnTuesday, February 8, 20111:15 pm – 2:00 pm 600 North Broad Street GroundbreakingrnMayor Nutter to deliver remarks.rnThe redevelopment project of the entire city block will include new rental units and 39,000 sq ft of new, commercial space, which will attract over 200 permanent jobs. Former Wilkie Buick Showroom, 600 N. Broad StreetrnrnrnWednesday, February 9, 201110:00 am – 11:00 am Urban Outfitters expansion announcementrnMayor Nutter to deliver remarks.rnUrban Outfitters will announce their expansion to the Navy Yard Cruise Ship Terminal, which will result in 1,000 new jobs to Philadelphia over the next three years. 5000 S. Broad StreetrnrnrnThursday, February 10, 201112:00 pm – 2:30 pm Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Annual Mayor’s AddressrnMayor Nutter to deliver remarks. Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Market StreetrnrnrnMonday, February 14, 201112:00 pm – 1:00 pm Mayor Nutter to present grants to small businessesrnMayor Nutter to deliver remarks.rnThe City of Philadelphia will distribute over $1 million of CDBG funding to small businesses for capital projects. Esperanza, 4261 N. 5th Street