John Marshall economics students pitch their ideas for downtown businesses | News [Video]

ROCHESTER, Minn.- Workforce Development Inc. held its 2024 Downtown Business Pitch Day for students at John Marshall High School on Wednesday, Nov. 20 at the Historic Chateau Theatre.

The event was part of the group’s collaborative Equity in Built Environments program with the City of Rochester which seeks to get more women of color in construction and design industries. 

According to Wafa Elkhalifa, a judge at the event and coordinator of equitable economic development for Destination Medical Center the event is a great way to get young and diverse voices interested in urban planning and business development. 

“It’s a great opportunity for them to become familiar with these different careers, usually you would only see schematic plans and these different drawings coming from an architect,” Elkhalifa said. 

Elkhalifa said students ideas were also instructive about what the next generation wants to see in the downtown area.

184 high school juniors …