Philly Launches $5.4M Plan to Create 70,000 New Jobs

Philadelphia just got a powerful ally in its fight to become a job-creating powerhouse again.

The Greater Philadelphia Growth Partnership launched this week with $5.4 million in backing from corporate and philanthropic investors. The collaboration between the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the Brookings Institution has one clear mission: create more "opportunity jobs" that pay family-sustaining wages.

The numbers tell a sobering story. Between 2012 and 2023, the Philadelphia region missed out on roughly 70,000 good-paying jobs compared to similar cities like Atlanta, Boston, and Phoenix. Today, it ranks dead last among large U.S. regions in upward mobility for low-income residents.

Claire Marrazzo Greenwood, the partnership's new executive director, says the problem isn't a lack of talent or resources. The region is home to world-class universities, hospitals, and a skilled workforce. The missing piece has been coordination.

"The regions growing faster than us are better organized," Greenwood told the audience at Villanova University during the launch. "They are more focused. They made a decision to act together and they built the tools to do it. So that's what we're doing."

The partnership released a detailed roadmap called "From Potential to Prosperity" that targets three key industries: biomedical engineering, enterprise digital solutions, and precision manufacturing. These fields were chosen because they offer good jobs to workers without college degrees while strengthening the region's competitive edge.

Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens compared the effort to geese flying in V formation. "It makes us stronger," he said. "When geese fly in V formation, they fly further and more efficiently."

The Ripple Effect

The benefits extend far beyond paychecks. Philadelphia Works CEO Patrick Clancy emphasized that connecting people to opportunity jobs can transform entire communities. When paired with support for housing, childcare, and public benefits, these career pathways help families build real wealth.

The strategy covers all of greater Philadelphia, including Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. That's 4.2 million residents and a $355 billion economy finally working as one unit instead of competing fragments.

Donna Frisby-Greenwood from Pew says the timing is critical. "When we are working together to do all of these things, our region can realize its potential to create a thriving economy that benefits everyone."

After years of planning and research, the partnership is moving from strategy to action. The coalition is already working to attract new businesses, help existing companies expand, and connect job seekers with employers who need their skills.

For a region that once led the nation in manufacturing and innovation, this partnership represents a chance to reclaim that legacy and build something even better.