What Is It and What Problem Does It Solve?
Sunport Forward is a workforce development and economic mobility initiative designed to align education, employment, and entrepreneurship in a small coastal city. It leverages Sunport’s natural assets (e.g., maritime heritage, ecotourism, culinary identity) and growing industries to create sector-specific training pathways, particularly for underemployed or disconnected residents.
The program addresses a set of interconnected problems:
Limited upward mobility and workforce readiness for high-quality jobs Seasonal and tourism-dependent economy with wage instability Lack of alignment between employer needs and available training Underutilized assets (e.g., maritime heritage, tourism, environmental resources) Outmigration of youth and limited retention of talent Strategic Plan Overview
We will co-create a new strategic workforce and economic development plan through community engagement, labor market analysis, and an assessment of Sunport’s entire economic ecosystem—looking at current job openings, housing stock, existing public services, and regional gaps.
Key features of the plan include:
Sector-specific pathways (hospitality, culinary, maritime, environmental sciences, construction) Industry-aligned K–12 and adult training programs in partnership with schools, CTCs, and employers Support for entrepreneurship and local hiring practices A funding model that includes city allocations, donations, and workforce development grants How Does It Work?
The program is structured around an asset-based and innovation-forward model, focusing on both immediate and long-term development. It connects key players—educators, employers, government, residents, and funders—to co-invest in strategic sectors.
Program Components:
Sector Pathways & Training Programs Maritime: Boat maintenance & construction, science-vessel repurposing projects, research fellowships Culinary & Hospitality: K–12 curriculum integration, apprenticeships, hotel management training Environmental Tourism: Birding guide certification, ecotourism and coastal conservation work Construction: Green infrastructure and restoration-focused K–12 and CTC training Entrepreneurship: TA and microgrants in key sectors for startups with job creation potential Policy & Investment Levers Tax incentives for employers with strong local hiring records Hotel/tourist tax revenue to fund workforce and infrastructure Main Street grants to support local manufacturing and retail storefronts Raise local minimum wage above federal baseline Community & Employer Engagement Industry sector partnerships to guide curriculum and placement Employer buy-in for training design, internships, and apprenticeships Focused support for external employers to adopt local hire practices Create a budget and multi-year funding plan via public, philanthropic, and private sources Allocate workforce development funds to local workforce board with oversight from a new advisory council Key Benefits
Diversified Economic Growth: Reduces dependence on seasonal tourism and supports multiple high-potential industries. Local Talent Retention: Builds clear and attractive career paths that encourage residents—especially youth—to stay. Increased Economic Mobility: Focuses on inclusive growth by connecting underserved residents to training and employment. Sustainable Development: Ties economic strategy to environmental stewardship and cultural heritage. Employer Responsiveness: Ensures local training aligns with real jobs and fosters employer ownership in the process. Next Steps
Launch a public engagement and planning process to develop the full strategic plan. Conduct a citywide economic and workforce gap analysis. Convene an advisory task force to guide funding, program development, and policy alignment. Secure initial donations and apply for workforce grants to seed pilot programs. Prompt your team to add their sentiment to the table below. When your team is ready to discuss, expand all the sentiments and review as a group. Coda tip: At Coda, we call this table a “pulse” because it allows you to get a quick pulse check from your team. It pairs well with the Dory question table, which helps gather feedback and discussion topics. Check out this dynamic duo by typing /dory and pulse.
How do you feel about this concept?
Sunport Forward: Workforce & Economic Mobility Strategy (NAWB Forum - Community Foundation Officer)
