PROGRAMS
PROJECT FUNDING
Both the public and private sectors have been challenged in the last several decades by the inability to adequately fund key infrastructure and large-scale real estate development projects. BuildIT works proactively with key stakeholders to advocate for current/future funding of highway, aviation, water/wastewater, energy distribution, and educational facilities projects as well projects such as data centers, affordable housing and commercial developments. Without proper funding, projects are delayed or cancelled, forcing small, medium, large companies to lay off critical tradespeople and professionals. BuildIT has launched an ever-growing series of initiatives to fund, build, and repair legacy vertical and horizontal construction projects throughout the West Coast of America, North America as a whole and around the world to put experience LGBT/Allied businesses, professionals and tradespeople to create ‘new hires’ and maintain those currently employed by our network.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING
The Associated Builders and Contractors association (ABC) projects that 1 in 5 (or 20%) of construction workers are 55 or older, which means their departure from the workforce will have severe implications. In addition, the industry will need to bring in over 450,000 new workers on top of normal hiring to meet industry demand. BuildIT is currently working with key stakeholder groups to build apprenticeship, craft, health and safety and management education programs that are dedicated to engaging the LGBT/Allied communities to build the awareness of these high-quality/well-paying jobs in the design/construction industry.
COLLABORATIVE PROJECT DELIVERY
BuildIT, and several of its Founders, have been strong/long-term advocates for the utilization of Collaborative Alternative Project delivery methods in order to build key infrastructure projects in an efficient and cost-effective manner. The utilization of Design/Build, Progressive Design Build, CM/GC and Public Private Partnerships are ways that BuildIT believes can keep projects moving forward throughout the globe. Our robust and active collaboration with CalInfra is just one of the ways we are leading discussions within the built environment to sustain existing jobs while creating quality/well paying jobs in the construction industry.
TRANSPORTATION
BuildIT has solid working relationships at at the United States Department of Transportation along with the various divisions at Federal Highways Administration (FHWA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Federal Rail Administration (FRA). We have also appeared on transportation subject matter panels with Amtrak, the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority, Western Association of State Highway Transportation Organizations and multiple state transportation departments. BuildIT’s Transportation Working Group brings together mobility experts from around the world to address funding, budgets, lessons learned and best practices. We utilize our connections within the transportation sector of increase the utilization of exceptionally qualified LGBT/Allied business which services this important sector of the AEC industry. We have exceeded all expectations as it relates to creating meaningful engagement for LGBT businesses with the following agencies: Caltrans, Los Angeles World Airports, Seattle’s Sound Transit, San Francsico International Airport, San Diego International World Airport and Palm Springs International Airport among others.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
BuildIT believes that affordable housing is critical to the well-being of our nation, states, regions, counties and cities. Our AEC industry cannot afford to have its workforce taking ‘mega-commutes’ to work each day because they cannot afford to live in the areas where their respective projects are being built. As such we have formed collaborations with several national and state-wide non-profit development organizations to support the efforts in this area. We have assisted in the development of regional economic summits where non-profit developers, general contractors and LGBT/Minority/Women and Veteran specialty contractors gather to build relationships and meaningful utilization. In particular we are proud of our collaboration with Swinerton Builders where we have worked in concert with several of their key projects to provide access to LGBT/Minority/Women/Veteran subcontractors who are adding cost-effective and quality services to the construction of key affordable housing projects. One of these projects is a 15-story affordable housing project for LGBT seniors and other economically challenged individuals and families. Please ask us about our four-step utilization model for these projects which has become a national model which be highlighted at the December 2024 National League of Cities Conference to be held in Washington, D.C.
SUSTAINABILITY/ESG
Investors rely on ESG metrics to assess financial risks, demanding strategies to tackle climate change while recognizing that inclusive, positive workplaces drive better performance. BuildIT, in collaboration with Expansive Insights, has created an ESG program that uses industry standards, best practices and regulations to help companies formalize, facilitate and document ESG goals and implement strategies to build and sustain your ESG Program.
We invite you to learn more about BuildIT’s comprehensive ESG program initiative.
UTILITIES
BuildIT and its Founders have been at the leading edge of creating national models of LGBT/Allied utilization within the utility sector for nearly two decades. In this case Allied meaning Minority, Women, and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprises. We were the primary driver behind the effort to establish an aspiration goal for the 28 California-based utilities that fall under the GO 156 program. Our large-scale data analytics, public affairs and outreach efforts achieved a unanimous vote of confidence by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) Commissioners in April of 2022. For a detailed review of our efforts in this area please view our Utilities Section within our website here and here.
BuildIT also implemented its nationally recognized Mentor-Protégé Program with the nation’s largest Investor-Owned Utility (IOU), Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) which will begin to deliver utilization credits in 2024 with the LGBT certified firm Laner Electric. BuildIT’s utilization efforts and programs have been showcased on a national level through the National Utilities Diversity Council. In addition, we have been at the forefront of producing events associated with the historic 10,000 mile under-grounding initiative being initiated by PG&E.