Our Organization - The Newark Alliance is a non-profit organization comprised of key leaders from some of New Jersey’s major corporations, Newark’s higher education community and civic and non-profit organizations.  The Newark Alliance works in partnership with government, civic organizations, labor, the non-profit sector and the community to improve Newark’s economy and public educational system.  The CEO or equivalent of participating organizations comprises the Board of Trustees.  Additionally, each Board Trustee appoints a representative of their organization to serve on the Newark Alliance Working Group.  Collectively, these participants assist with strategy formulation and execution to advance the Newark Alliance’s mission. Key Highlights: Founded December 1999 Launched Newark Champions of Learning Interactive Grant Program in 2001; To date $90,000 grants awarded Launched Planning Phase of OpportunityNewark Strategic Economic Development Plan in October 2005 Launched Implementation Phase of OpportunityNewark Strategic Economic Development Implementation Plan in April 2006 Became lead organization in U.S. DOL Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) initiative in January 2006; Awarded $100,000 Planning Grant Awarded $50,000 grant from the Victoria Foundation to develop truck driving workforce initiative in January 2007 Awarded $5 million U.S. DOL Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Grant in January 2007 Our Mission To work in partnership to make Newark a better, safer place to work, live, learn, play and do business. Key Areas of Focus Economic Development OpportunityNewark: In October 2005, the Newark Alliance launched OpportunityNewark:  Jobs and Community Development for the 21st Century (OpportunityNewark), an initiative focused on leveraging Newark’s assets to create jobs for Newark’s inner city residents.  The Newark Alliance partnered with the Initiative for a Competitive Inner City (ICIC) and the Newark Community to develop a set of strategic action plans to leverage Newark’s competitive advantages to retain, attract and grow businesses.   The Newark Alliance and its myriad partners are actively engaged in the implementation phase of OpportunityNewark which addressed four industry clusters and four business environment issues as follows: Industry Clusters: Transportation Logistics & Distribution Health Services Education Knowledge Creation Entertainment, Arts and Retail Business Environment Issues: Workforce Development Infrastructure Urban Business Investment Marketing: City Perception & Image Economic Development Infrastructure Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED): The U.S. Department of Labor launched the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development initiative (WIRED) in 2005 with a competition for grants involving the nation's governors. The WIRED initiative is an effort by the department's Employment and Training Administration to integrate economic and workforce development activities and demonstrate that talent development can drive economic transformation in regional economies across the United States. In February 2006, 13 competitively selected 1st Generation WIRED regions were awarded $195 million ($15 million each) to transform their economies. Later, an additional 13 regions, also among the best nationally, were awarded $100,000 grants to begin fostering the implementation of their talent development strategies. The North Jersey Economic Innovation Alliance (NJEIA), of which the Newark Alliance is the lead organization, was one of the 13 $100,000 grantees.  In January 2007, an additional $5 million award was granted to NJEIA as a  2nd Generation WIRED region to implement economic transformation in the regional economy. Education The Newark Alliance serves as a coordinating resource for the Newark Public School District to support the improvement of public education in Newark.  Through networking with state organizations, institutions of higher education, and the local business community, the Newark Alliance collaborates with the Newark Public Schools to facilitate the building of court mandated schools, improving the business infrastructure of the District, and to enhancing the educational curriculum. Advocacy and Support The Newark Alliance is a voice in support of the City of Newark with local, state and federal government.  The Newark Alliance advocates for the City’s physical improvement, job creation, business growth and education.  Public Safety Initiative - In support of the Mayor Booker’s Public Safety agenda, the Newark Alliance funded, and the City of Newark engaged, the SafirRosetti security team to review police operations with the objective of reducing the crime rate in the city. Comprehensive recommendations were made to address:  the Crime Reduction Strategy; Personnel & Morale; the Organizational Structure and Deployment of Resources; and Budget and Technology.