2023 Ideas Challenge Entry
Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti's Small Business Wage Boost program is an employee retention program designed to address the gap between the current working wage and a livable wage, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Small businesses throughout the City of Scranton can apply for up to $50,000, disbursed over two years, to raise their employees' wages closer to the state average.
In the program’s first year, Scranton used ARPA funding to fully fund the gap between the current wage and elevated wage. In year two, the City and business will share the responsibility of funding the higher wage. By the third year, the goal is for businesses to fully support their employees' new wages. The Wage Boost program is an innovative approach to address a minimum wage in Pennsylvania that lags behind the needs of 21st century workers. By helping small businesses raise employees' wages, it's a win-win-win for the city: businesses can retain employees who might leave for other better paying jobs, employees can keep up with the cost of living, and the city retains tax-paying businesses.
Impact:
The program was announced to the community in October 2022. Across two rounds of funding announcements, nine businesses have received between $25,000 and $50,000 in wage boost grants to be used over the course of the next two years. A third round of applications opens late summer 2023. The program’s impact is seen in the potential economic mobility of the employees receiving higher wages, a reduction in turnover for employers, and the ongoing success of the businesses that have tapped into the program.
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Abortion-.png
1062
1556
Andrea Cruz
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Andrea Cruz2024-04-24 11:46:352024-04-24 18:45:08State Official: 1864 abortion ban gives Arizona ‘black eye’
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Untitled-design-52.png
846
1280
Andrea Cruz
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Andrea Cruz2024-04-16 17:13:502024-04-16 17:18:09State and local leaders from across the nation shine spotlight on Phoenix’s vitality
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aaron-burden-t2b1Z-jPT-w-unsplash-scaled.jpg
1920
2560
Estevan Ginsburg
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Estevan Ginsburg2024-04-15 17:12:382024-04-15 20:41:05New Poll: Freedom and Democracy Key to Vote Choice in 2024
https://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/AbortionSign.jpeg
500
500
Andrea Cruz
http://newdealleaders.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/logo-tnd.png
Andrea Cruz2024-04-09 19:45:532024-04-09 19:45:53NewDEAL Statement on Arizona Supreme Court Decision: One More Step in Stripping Away Rights of Millions of Women
