Phoenix wins $1M in Global Mayors Challenge for mobile career unit
Jan 21, 2022, 11:24 AM
(Twitter Photo/City of Phoenix)
(Twitter Photo/City of Phoenix)
PHOENIX – Phoenix is $1 million richer after winning a worldwide mayors’ challenge focused on urban innovations.
Phoenix is one of 15 cities to win the million-dollar prize in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Global Mayors Challenge, with its submission of a mobile career unit initiative designed to alleviate unemployment.
“Several cities are going to try to replicate what we’re doing,” Mayor Kate Gallego told KTAR 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Friday.
Gallego learned about the award Tuesday at the U.S. Mayors Conference in Washington, D.C.
The mobile career unit, which launched last fall, goes into neighborhoods to try to match employers with higher-wage jobs and applicants.
Phoenix entered the competition’s category for economic recovery and inclusive growth and made the final cut of 50.
“We’re going to have a lot of opportunities to improve life in Phoenix,” Gallego said of the money.
The victory also means the Phoenix program will receive technical support and training over three years, the city said in a press release.
Two other U.S. cities enriched their coffers: Paterson, New Jersey; and Rochester, Minnesota.
“It’s been an energizing week,” Gallego said.
