This week, State Representative Christine P. Barber and State Senator Patricia Jehlen celebrate the final passage and signing of H.4303, An Act establishing the Somerville municipal job creation and retention trust. This law, approved by the Somerville Board of Alderman in 2013 but requiring state approval, allows the city of Somerville to create a jobs trust fund and establish a fee, to be paid by developers of new projects in the city, for job training, placement and retention.

“This law will ensure that all residents of Somerville, including people with low- and moderate-incomes, fully benefit from the job opportunities that come from future development projects,” said State Representative Christine P. Barber. “I look forward to continue working with the city and our partners to provide services that train our community members and allow them access to jobs within our city.”

“Providing job training and placement as new development projects arrive in Somerville will give people greater access to the benefits of our city’s continuing economic growth,” said State Senator Pat Jehlen. “This law will play an essential role in reducing income inequality for residents in our community.”

Somerville has had a similar ordinance to fund affordable housing in the city since 1990. Seeing the link between new development in Somerville and the need for job training for Somerville residents, numerous policymakers, and community groups have worked together to garner support for program to fund job training and encourage local job retention.

“The creation of a job linkage trust is a critically important step in ensuring that we can continue to ensure that Somerville residents are connected to jobs and job opportunities in our own community,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Thank you to the work of Representative Barber and Senator Jehlen, our progress in this area can and will continue as we strive to make Somerville a great place to live, work, play, and raise a family.”

“SCC strives to both create and preserve affordable housing, and also to help ensure that our residents can have the jobs and incomes needed to remain and thrive in Somerville.  We applaud the legislature for passing this Act,” said Daniel LeBlanc, CEO at Somerville Community Corporation.

Vital for the equitable growth of Somerville as a city and as a community, H.4303 will fund programs to train and place local residents in new jobs. City officials and Aldermen will now work with community members and other stakeholders to establish the jobs linkage fee and establish policies for fund use.