Economic Development Projects Unit

Building People, Building Communities

List of Services

Developer and Construction Manager Interface

Review with the client and the construction manager (CM), guidelines and procedures to maximize efforts to achieve meaningful and substantial participation for Minority, Women and Disabled Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE).
Establish participation levels for MBE/WBE/DBE contracting and employment opportunities.
Attend site construction meetings.
Prepare monthly reports delineating the level of MBE/WBE/DBE construction participation as compared to the goals set forth at the initiation of the project.
Integral tools used in the development of the monthly reports are two computerized databases , the contractors database and the craftworkers database.

MBE/WBE/DBE Contract Opportunities

Notify Minority, Women and Disabled Business Enterprises (MBE/WBE/DBE) firms of potential contract opportunities. EDP identifies trade specific contract opportunities and matches the trades with capacity clusters in the MBE/WBE/DBE construction community.
Assess technical capabilities, financial status and certification status of MBE/WBE/DBE firms.
Provide recommendations to the construction manager (CM) and the general contractor (GC) in the selection of qualified MBE/WBE/DBE firms to be included in the bid documents.
Assist GC and subcontractors in identifying firms for their specific supply and/or subcontracting needs.
Monitor contract verification and certification processes.

Monitoring Employment of Community Residents

Develop a list of minorities and females as potential trades people from the local area. Refer skilled union members directly to contractors.
Coordinate and disseminate employment information to community-based organizations.
Interview individual prospective employees to assure that each candidate has the requisite skills, education, etc.

Technical Assistance to MBE/WBE/DBE

In recognition of the hurdles often faced by businesses we:
Facilitate joint venture arrangements among businesses to build financial, operational and technical capacity.
Offer financial loan packaging assistance for working capital loans.
Provide help with estimating, bonding, marketing and business certifications.
Assist with negotiations and dispute mediation.

Construction Orientation Training Program

Prepares men and women for acceptance into a construction union apprentice program.
Currently works with Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Philadelphia Eagles and others to prepare community residents for construction jobs in their own neighborhoods, and throughout the region.

The 15-week training program offers: