Why Long Beach needs a local hiring policy

Long Beach First is the city's organized initiative for a local hiring policy, in which businesses and developers prioritize qualified local residents when assembling a work force. City council members asked an employment agency to gather community input about jobs and research the effects of jobs policies put into place by other cities. Advocates say a local hiring policy has a multitude of benefits. "People can live and work in the same place — [this] increases the tax base. Discretionary revenue when you're staying home is going to stay in your neighborhood, in your local area. And it's just good public policy to make sure that your investments are creating opportunities for your residents." Hear how a local hire policy could benefit the community, in a video on Voicewaves.[youtube=https://youtu.be/lhJpEEoGdZE]