We asked three Philadelphia leaders what they’d do with a ten-figure sum to spend improving the city. From financing small business to fixing the public education crisis, the answers are enough to keep us optimistic about the future — even if $1 billion isn’t enough to do it all.

Varsovia Fernandez, President and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

First, I would allocate a reasonable amount for a legal, accounting and finance auditing team to produce an audit and report about the core business of the School District of Philadelphia, independently of the three authorities currently managing it.

Based on the results, I would allocate a fair amount to restructuring whatever is found to impede the District from providing good education to our children and youth; based on an independent group’s well-thought plan.

I would allocate at least $1 million towards creating a good entrepreneurial education program focused on job creation, credit worthiness and financial education.

Once this is done, I would take a one week trip to the mountains to reflect on and enjoy the prospects this would bring to the city. Progress in education would give the city the foundation needed for its budget to continue building on a well-served citizenry.

Natalia Olson-Urtecho, Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration

I would focus on improving small business opportunities and employment training in disadvantaged communities. It has been shown over and over that successful, locally-owned small businesses are the key to creating safe, thriving and self-sustaining communities.  Small businesses hire local, pay local taxes and contribute to an overall sense of pride in their communities.  Through programs like President Obama’s Promise Zones Initiative (Philadelphia is one of the zones), the federal government is partnering with and investing in communities to create jobs, grow small business, leverage private investment, increase economic activity, and expand educational opportunities.

SBA has joined the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Department of Labor, and other agencies across the federal government to partner with local leaders in these communities to help them implement their economic development goals and provide resources, technical assistance, and other support.  Through SBA programs like Hispanic Small Business Centers and our Women’s Business Centers, through which we provide entrepreneurs and business owners with comprehensive training and counseling, we’re helping to expand economic opportunity in underserved communities throughout the United States.  Last year we announced a new funding opportunity through the Program for Investment in Micro-Entrepreneurs (PRIME) with preference points available for Promise Zones in which grants are given to organizations that help low-income entrepreneurs who lack sufficient training and education to gain access to capital to establish and expand their small businesses.

If we can invest in Philadelphia’s underserved communities, I believe we will see a huge payoff.  Crime will drop; education will improve; infrastructure will improve; civic pride will improve.  Philadelphia is a great city and all of its people deserve great opportunities.  Those opportunities are right here under our noses.

Zabeth Teelucksingh, Executive Director, Global Philadelphia Association

Lets spend $1 billion on education program that teach our kids a global point of view using World Heritage designation as a vehicle, or spend $1 billion sprucing up Fairmount Park.

I would like the world to know about Philadelphia as a place full of great people, restaurants and myriad cultural things to see and do.

I would like Philadelphia to learn about its enormous potential as a viable global city where business, quality of life and international cultures collide in perfect harmony. Philadelphia is brilliant. More people need to know about it! Lets shake of that Quaker diffidence and become a champion of our city and all it has to offer.

Maria D. Quiñones-Sánchez, Councilwoman for the 7th District

I would set aside: $400 Million for public education; $100 million for recreation centers; youth programming and neighborhood open spaces; $100 million for manufacturing, small business development incentives and commercial corridors; $100 million for job training, retraining and job placement, including community college support; $100 million for early education and day care subsidy for working families; and $200 million for affordable housing.