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Philadelphia's Chamber Of Commerce Finds Common Ground With Next Mayor On Path To Economic Growth

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed expanding pre-kindergarten, in a show of solidarity with the new mayor-elect.

It's one item in the Chamber's "Roadmap for Growth," unveiled Tuesday.

It may seem unlikely for a business group to embrace Jim Kenney's unapologetically liberal agenda but chamber president Rob Wonderling says they share the goal of economic growth and agree on the key to get there.

"The coin of the realm, and that's a job," said Wonderling.

In addition to pre-K, the chamber's plan endorses workforce development, neighborhood commercial corridors and port expansion.

Kenney joined the Chamber for the Roadmap unveiling and did not shrink from big asks: He said the pre-K initiative would cost $60 million new dollars.

"I know this is a lot of money but you have to understand the difference that investment makes. That money creates early childhood education jobs in our communities, it provides safe, quality child care for working parents and most importantly it insures our children actually have a chance to succeed in our K-12 system and reach their life potential," said Kenney.

Kenney also told the Chamber wages need to rise to reduce disparity in the city.

 

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