Three U.S. cities among Bloomberg Global Mayors Challenge winners

Bloomberg Philanthropies recently announced the 15 winning cities of its 2021-2022 Global Mayors Challenge, which includes three U.S. cities—Paterson, N.J.; Phoenix; and Rochester, Minn. The 15 winners are being recognized for designing bold and ambitious urban innovations emerging from the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The winning cities submitted innovative ideas that addressed one or more of four current issue areas in cities including economic recovery and inclusive growth; health and wellbeing; climate and environment; and gender and equality. Each city will be awarded $1 million dollars in addition to technical support and coaching over three years to bring their ideas to life.

“As the world works to address the profound public health and economic effects of the ongoing pandemic, cities can implement innovative ideas at a pace that national governments simply can’t match,” Michael R. Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and Bloomberg L.P. and former mayor of New York City, said in a statement. “Our 15 winners offer bold, achievable plans to improve health, reduce unemployment, empower women, and more. Collectively, they have the potential to improve millions of their residents’ lives—and the most successful solutions will inspire cities around the world to embrace them.”

Paterson, N.J.
In response to residents struggling with opioid use disorder, Paterson, N.J. is creating RealFix, a program that will make Suboxone, a medication that can alleviate withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and protect against overdose more readily available within 90 minutes, through a coordinated effort among police, first responders, hospitals and pharmacies. The hope is that RealFix will have long-lasting impact on the well-being of residents because without an immediate alternative to opioids, the addicted will do almost anything to get drugs, including committing other crimes like robbery, prostitution and dealing drugs. But with relief from withdrawal and a real fix available in just 90 minutes, for the first time anywhere, they have a true alternative.

“Paterson is committed to becoming a city of solutions and this award not only proves it but it will also help us save lives.” Mayor Andre Sayegh said in a statement. “We are hopeful that our innovative idea will serve as a global model for other cities who are also addressing the opioid epidemic.”

Phoenix
The winning entry from the City of Phoenix is the deployment of Mobile Career Units (CMU) that provide targeted support to job seekers where they live in an effort to bridge the divide between job seekers and potential employers. The CMU provide trainings, interview opportunities, translation services and connections to employers ready to hire on the spot.

“Global talent shortages are at a 15-year high, with one in three employers citing difficulty filling jobs. So, in Phoenix, we got creative and focused on coming up with new ways for employers and job seekers to connect,” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement. “Pilots of the Mobile Career Unit have successfully demonstrated it provides employers with skilled talent and results in ‘on-the-spot’ hires. This innovative approach holds great promise for getting the people of Phoenix into good jobs, and I believe it will serve as a model for communities around the world.”

Rochester, Minn.
In Rochester, Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) women make up 13 percent of the population, yet fill less than 1 percent of available construction jobs. The Rochester project focuses on the economic mobility of BIPOC women through careers in construction fields. Construction is a key pathway to economic recovery and sustainable job growth. For example, the city’s $6 billion Destination Medical Center (DMC) economic development initiative is expected to generate new construction jobs over 20 years.

Mayor Kim Norton said in a statement, “We are so very honored and excited to be selected as one of the top 15 cities selected. Advancing the work in our proposal will allow us to address the marked disparities that exist for BIPOC women in Rochester. It will also help meet the needs of the construction and built environment industries that are vital to our growing community and in advancing the new federal infrastructure investment.”

All winning cities will now enter a three-year implementation period with a $1 million grant and technical assistance. During this time, the cities will work to evolve and scale their ideas into a real-life program to improve residents’ lives. Cities will also work to share their ideas with additional cities around the world.

In a statement, James Anderson, who leads the Government Innovation program at Bloomberg Philanthropies, said, “The Mayors Challenge shows that there can be a positive legacy to emerge from all the hardship of the past two years—and that it’s happening in our cities. Now we turn to help these mayors implement their ideas, evaluate and spread the ideas that produce big impact.”