ISSUE 83 | October 29, 2020

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From Around the Region and the State Economic and Policy News

Downtown W-B receives DCED Keystone Communities Main Street designation The Department of Community and Economic Development has designated Downtown Wilkes-Barre as a Keystone Main Street. Under this designation, Wilkes-Barre will receive state support for revitalization efforts, including technical and programmatic assistance as well as priority status for DCED funding. According to Larry Newman of the Diamond City Partnership, this support may be particularly helpful as the city recovers from the pandemic. Click here to read the full article Patchwork of eviction-related deadlines and extensions leaves renters and landlords confused It is sometimes difficult for Pennsylvania tenants and landlords to determine when eviction is a possibility, what renters’ rights are, and what assistance is available to help keep people in their homes. This is partly because state, local, and federal agencies have taken various measures to prevent mass evictions (due to the pandemic). Housing advocates are concerned that renters may not be up to date regarding the protections and supports available to them. Click here to read the full article Luzerne County facing 'substantial' level of COVID-19 transmission According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Luzerne County has experienced a “substantial” level of COVID-19 transmission in the last week. The rate of positive cases increased to 7.5 percent – higher than the statewide rate of five percent. State health officials have recommended that all schools in the county transition to a full remote learning model. Click here to read the full article

From Around the Nation and the Globe Economic and Policy News

Study explores how social networks in Charlotte impact economic mobility A recent study from the Brookings Institution examines how social capital has affected economic mobility in Charlotte, North Carolina. Researchers analyzed over 30,000 personal network configurations, looking at factors such as the size of social networks, the range of connection types within the networks, and the strength of interpersonal relationships. The authors found that access to social capital has been inequitable, largely due to racial discrimination and segregation. Click here to read the full article Policy brief addresses the aging workforce  Millions of older workers prematurely exit the workforce every year, retiring early for health-related reasons. This often leads to permanent, unplanned reductions in income. A new policy brief from the Urban Institute describes how workplace accommodations, paid medical leave, awareness of ADA rights, and other interventions can help older employees remain at their jobs.  Click here to read the full article Research Release The Institute recently published a report on attracting, engaging, and retaining senior workers.  Read it here COVID-19 spikes exacerbate health worker shortages in Rocky Mountains, Great Plains As COVID-19 cases surge, hospitals in the Midwest and Mountain States are experiencing severe shortages of specialists, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals. These staffing shortages – which in many cases were problematic before the pandemic – have caused some hospitals to ask employees to return to work shortly after exposure to the coronavirus. Click here to read the full article

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