Toward a more prosperous Springfield : a look at the barriers to employment from the perspective of residents and supporting organizations

Benton, Marques; Browne, Lynn E.; Chakrabarti, Prabal; Green, DeAnna; Kodrzycki, Yolanda; Munoz, Ana Patricia; Walker, Richard; Zhao, Bo

Discussion Paper

Toward a more prosperous Springfield : a look at the barriers to employment from the perspective of residents and supporting organizations

Abstract: Compared to the city, the region, and the state, labor force participation rates in Springfield's downtown and surrounding neighborhoods are very low. Residents and community leaders have expressed concerns about the employment prospects for the low-income residents that make up these neighborhoods. The purpose of this discussion paper is to highlight the perspectives of residents and community-based organizations on why so few residents of Springfield?s downtown neighborhoods are employed and to look at the some of the resources available to Springfield residents to help them address barriers to employment.

Keywords: Unemployment - Massachusetts; Job creation - Massachusetts; Economic conditions - Massachusetts;