JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 On Tuesday, June 24th, the Jacksonville City Council will vote on a piece of legislation that would allocate $45 million in funds to projects across the city.<\/p>\n
$30 million of those dollars would go towards downtown investments, $3 million would go towards affordable housing, and $12 million would support workforce development.<\/p>\n
Councilman Raul Arias has worked to allocate funding towards the city\u2019s workforce and housing initiatives. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a shortage of skilled workers here in town, and so because of that, it\u2019s on demand. And because it\u2019s on demand, you\u2019re paying high prices for plumbers, electricians to come to your house\u2026 to come do services.\u201d<\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n The councilman says the city\u2019s shortage of tradesmen has skyrocketed prices and increased wait times for services. He hopes the funding will go towards trade programs like the one at Florida State College at Jacksonville. <\/p>\n \u201cRight now, we\u2019re kind of at capacity,\u201d Jill Johnson said.<\/p>\n Johnson is a spokesperson for FSCJ and says the investment from the city could expand courses at the college\u2019s Cecil Center campus.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe have looked at some space out at Cecil Center, where we know we can expand and provide more opportunities to students. So being able to provide that many more workers out into our community is going to be a benefit to everyone,\u201d Johnson explained. <\/p>\n The dollars for workforce development would also go towards Jacksonville University\u2019s Youth Sports Project and the Downtown Preservation and Revitalization Program. <\/p>\n The councilman\u2019s push for investments in the city\u2019s affordable housing could largely benefit areas like the Southside and the Beaches, too. Arias says those places are often left out.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have a lot of individuals that work in those parts of town, but they live maybe 30 minutes away. Why? Because there\u2019s not enough affordable housing in those parts of town,\u201d Arias said. <\/p>\n The councilman says the Mayor\u2019s office is working to secure grant match dollars that could turn that $3 million investment into a $12 million investment, ultimately making more room for the city\u2019s cost-efficient housing. <\/p>\n