The program proposed is an Open-Air Market, which will
provide much needed economic development in the Canal District of San Rafael.
The Canal Welcome Center (CWC) proposes to launch an Open-Air Market, which
will feature creating business opportunities for low-income residents
and fostering business skills and entrepreneurship.Through this
project, in the first year individuals from Marin City, South Novato and the
Canal (San Rafael) will:
·be granted start-up cash to build an inventory
for their open air store;
·receive financial literacy training and
technical assistance;
·actively participate in weekly economic
development training and technical assistance;
·obtain health insurance and other benefits at
low group rates;
·have access to outdoor vendor booths to be
purchased by the Market.
The
Open-Air Market is expected to operate on Saturdays and Sundays. The
individuals who are granted start-up funds will form the basis for the “anchor
stores” at the Open-Air Market. It is expected individuals will start-up a
variety of small shops for this venue, such as “dollar stores”, import/export
businesses (particularly focusing on their country of origin), locally produced
cultural “folk art,” and fruit/vegetable stands. “Anchor store” tenants will
form a unified group and will work with health insurance companies and local
banks to develop group insurance and other benefits for the proprietors and
their employees. The “anchor tenants” will meet regularly as an advisory group
to ensure the market’s continued success.
The
CWC will recruit local culturally-specific musicians and established mobile
food vendors to infuse the Open-Air Market with a sense of the local residents’
cultures. By recruiting established culturally-specific vendors the Market will
appeal to local residents and provide a unique attraction for Market customers
from outside of the immediate area. The cultural focus provides this Open-Air
Market with a weekly cultural fair feel that makes it different from a “flea
market.”
The
program contributes to assisting recent immigrants in receiving the services
they need to become integrated into the community (i.e., providing business and
financial classes, start-up funding to begin their own businesses, obtaining
affordable and high quality health insurance). As well, the Open Air Market
showcases local cultures through culturally-specific music groups and established
mobile food vendors to be invited to the Open Air Market, thereby helping to
increase connectedness between established Marin County residents and
newcomers. By providing training, linking residents to local jobs, providing
micro-business opportunities, increasing community capital, and advocating on
behalf of residents in the workplace this project enables newcomers to more
easily contribute to the County in a way that benefits the common good.
Embracing immigrants and including them in the economic, civic and social
networks of our Country is essential for the long-range prosperity of not only
the Canal District of San Rafael, but the entire County as well.
In
addition, the program will help to foster new relationships with agencies that
have either encouraged CWC to undertake the OAM or who are logical partners for
this program. Such agencies include the Canal Community Council, community and
school groups, local businesses, funders and sponsors. As well, this program
has received encouragement, support and commitment from the City of San Rafael
and Fourth District Supervisor Steve Kinsey.
