Positive publicity community and the developer. The community coalition will negotiate with the developer for specific, concrete benefits, such as hiring a certain percentage of local residents for the jobs created from construction, paying workers a living wage, and including direct investment from the developer into the community. It is important to stress the benefit that developers realize from avoiding active opposition from the community. Further, a developer’s collaboration with the community may expand the participating market and increase shared prosperity to sustain and expand the benefits of any given development project. To ensure the community actually benefits from the T O O L K I T S legally binding agreement, the CBA must include clear enforcement mechanisms and deliverables. For example, the Nashville MLS agreement described below created an advisory committee that included community members to monitor and enforce the CBA terms. Negotiators should insist on defining terms such as “affordable housing” and “minimum wage” to avoid vague, unenforceable promises from a developer. CBAs are strong tools to use in large development projects that provide many resources to benefit the community. A coalition may decide that some projects are too small or not politically feasible candidates for organizing around. Once the coalition has identified a development project, the members can work to align all parties toward advancing shared prosperity and economic growth. IMPACTS ON N.C. TO DATE
Positive publicity. Gain recognition through press releases, social media, and signage at the riverbank site, highlighting your contribution to the East Side Initiative.
