“Think of it as a full 360,” Rushdi says.“We’re building depth in the minority development community through mentorship. We’re leveraging our banking relationships to get them construction loans. We’re providing equity through the Accelerator Fund. And we’re encouraging them to build affordable housing. Minority developers building affordable housing with access to capital and the right support – that’s the full circle we’re aiming for.” The association also maintains an active calendar, with 20 to 30 events each year, including an annual – and now semi-annual – builders’ show and connection event where members network, forge partnerships, and discuss the latest trends in housing and construction. An affordable housing committee keeps the focus on policy and program design, working closely with city officials to ensure that new legislation promotes, rather than unintentionally restricts, housing supply. Across the board, the BIA has become known as a pragmatic, middle-of-the-road voice – one that cares about its development partners and the communities in which they build. “We’re like a think tank for the industry,” Rushdi says.“We’re very focused on results, not just process. You can pass any legislation that sounds great on paper, but if the math doesn’t work, nothing gets built. Our job is to bring that technical reality into the conversation and make sure solutions actually pencil out.” Looking ahead over the next two years,the association has set an ambitious target: to grow to 50 fully Black- and brown-owned development companies doing more than $5 million in work each, while continuing to expand affordable housing programs that create genuine wealth-building opportunities for residents. In a city defined by its neighborhoods, that focus on equitable growth – grounded in numbers, community needs, and real-world feasibility – is positioning the Philadelphia Building Industry Association as a crucial connector between policy, development, and long-term prosperity. Photo Credit: Albert Yee 28 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 12
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