Philadelphia is experiencing new development, directly spurred by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which recently facilitated the reopening of Montgomery Avenue Bridge—a vital roadway for the Strawberry Mansion neighborhood and North Philadelphia communities. As per the report published by Philadelphia's office, the bridge's restoration embodies the larger effort to deploy BIL funds to bolster economic opportunities, notably for marginalized communities of color.
The Parker Administration, as the City of Philadelphia’s report suggests, has been proactive, deploying a two-pronged Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) strategy; this approach both expand a local and diverse workforce while simultaneously increasing participation from a variety of businesses. However, despite the progress, communities of color have historically faced limited opportunities, a gap that such initiatives aim to close. A failure in these efforts could risk perpetuating the disparities these funds are intended to address.
The IST’s commitment to racial equity appears to be genuine. In April, Philadelphia was named one of four new Workforce Hubs under President Biden's Investing in America agenda, an accolade that brings new policies designed to create better-paying jobs. These policies include the use of Geographic and Economic Hiring Preferences (GEHP) for public works, effectively setting goals for hiring apprentices and journeypersons from economically disadvantaged zip codes, as the City's announcement detailed.
Importantly, apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships serve as groundwork for developing a robust labor force. They offer vital hands-on, paid training that equips Philadelphia residents for sustainable construction careers. Inclusivity is at the forefront of the GEHP initiative, which is a crucial benefit for residents and the community. Nevertheless, whether these efforts hold long-term progress promise, the endeavors is given the scale of the challenge they aim to address.
Business diversity is also a priority. The city's Public Works Procurement Forecast was introduced in October 2023 to increase transparency and competitiveness in city contracting. A biannual update, the forecast outlines over $520 million in work ranging from highway construction to general labor. The upcoming update, timed with the 40th Annual Philadelphia Minority Enterprise Development (MED) Week, will detail projects for the next year and a half to two years, helping prime contractors and subcontractors prepare for a busy period.
MED Week itself, themed "Investing in the Future: 40 Years of Helping Minority Businesses Lead the Way," heralds over 40 events and workshops tailored to reinforce business acumen and growth potential throughout Philadelphia's minority business community. For more information on the MED Week activities, interested parties can find a complete listing of events from the Department of Commerce.
