Meanwhile... cool things are happening with city government (The Next Mayor)

Just got this update from the Philadelphia Business Journal, one of our affiliated content partners:

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation said Tuesday it will donate $200,000 to Project HOME to support the construction of a wireless Internet café at the central branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia.

The café will be run by a partnership of Project HOME, Metropolitan Bakery and the Free Library and will be located just off the lobby of the central branch, which is located at 1901 Vine St.

Project HOME will provide staffing for the café through its Occupational Services Program, which teaches job skills to formerly homeless individuals and at-risk teenagers.

How great is that?! A potentially great partnership of a well-respected non-profit, two private companies and a part of city government. For $200,000 that's not coming from tax payers, library users get an internet cafe backed by the products of the Metropolitan Bakery, formerly homeless get jobs, the library gets a cool way to attract more users and a potential source of additional revenue.

Imagine if this kind of thing could happen all throughout city government. Have we seen ideas like this from the candidates? Whaddya think?

Comments (2)

Sbadeau

This is a fabulous idea that has great potential to benefit many youth and adult citizens in Philadelphia. Kudos to all involved

Posted by Sbadeau | March 14, 2007 4:55 PM

Brian:

I have actually heard Nutter propose a cafe in the main branch of the Free Library, but it didn't involve Project Home. I've also heard him talk about cafes/shops in City Hall that might sell Philadelphia merchandise (like NYC does with NYPD merchandise) as a possible way to create new revenue.

It's great to see this happening.

Posted by Brian | March 14, 2007 5:07 PM

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