November 2022
News + Updates
Highlights
ESI Provides High-Quality Support for Governments and Public Policy
ESI's government and public policy practice combines rigorous analytical capabilities with a depth of experience to help evaluate and design effective public policies and benchmark and recommend sound governance practices.

Metropolitan Livability Index
For the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, ESI completed the Metropolitan Livability Index. The Index examines 10 key livability factors for Philadelphia and seven peer regions, including Boston, Washington D.C., Pittsburgh, and Atlanta.

Read the report here and click here to access the Metropolitan Livability Index tool online.
TMACC's Electric Vehicle Summit
ESI Director Frank Robinson and Intern Kendra Hills will be attending and presenting at the Chester County Transportation Management Association's Electric Vehicle Summit on November 17.

Congratulations to RACP Grant Recipients!
ESI provides assistance with grant applications for economic development and projects infrastructure investments across the US. One of those programs is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP). This cycle, ESI successfully helped 16 government, quasi-government, and non-profit entities, as well as private sector businesses, obtain over $32 million in funding.

Congratulations to all the recipients!

  • Agora Commercial
  • Budd Bioworks
  • The Calder
  • Campenella Development
  • The Consortium
  • Friends of St Hubert High School
  • Friends of the Wissahickon
  • Gaudenzia
  • HACE/Children’s Crisis Treatment Center
  • Keystone Sports and Entertainment
  • La Salle University
  • Lubert Adler (Louis Kahn Barge improvements)
  • Phila Housing Authority / Hartranft Community Center
  • Phila Tech Training Institute
  • PHMC – Public Health Campus at Cedar
  • University Place Associates
Staff and Senior Advisor Updates
We welcome Analyst Justin Hill to the team!
ESI welcomes Analyst Maria Machin to the team!
ESI welcomes Analyst Joe Shortell to the team!
Senior Advisor Yvette Núñez was featured in AL DÍA in conjunction with her joining the ESI Advisory board. Read the article here.
Senior Advisor Geoffrey M. Roche was featured on the Forbes.com as part of the Forbes Business Council. Read his article on embracing certificate & certification reimbursement here. Additionally, listen to his feature on Race to Value Podcast here.
Principal Richard Voith co-authored an article on the effects of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit, published in the Journal of Housing Economics. Read it here, and read a corresponding summary on TheConversation.com by co-author Anthony Orlando here .
Director Rebecca DeJoseph presented the Metropolitan Livability Index at Benchmarking Greater Philadelphia's Livability, a Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce event November 9. Read it here.
Principal Gina Lavery spoke on a panel at ULI Philadelphia Real Estate Forecast 2023, regarding local trends and new investment in the region.
ESI Senior Advisor Lloyd Russow wrote an article about evaluating the potential of new programs for Optimal Campus. Read it here.
ESI Analyst Trevor Marimbire was awarded the Future Nobel Laureate Scholarship in 2021, and will travel to Stockholm, Sweden this winter as part of the Nobel Dialogue Week sessions. Read more here.
Join our Growing Team!
We are currently inviting candidates to check out our open positions and apply today. Please don't hesitate to direct those who might be a good fit as well. We'd love to work with you!
Update from the Center

As Econsult Solutions celebrates the one-year anniversary of ESI Center for the Future of Cities, we are thrilled to present a collection of our smart city-focused thought leadership and research. This portfolio connects the firm’s urban economics, policy, and strategy expertise and sits at the forefront of addressing the most challenging issues city leaders face today. The ESI team has produced ground-breaking research that has helped lay the foundation for building out a more just, sustainable, and prosperous future in four key focus areas:

  • Livability
  • Mobility
  • Investment
  • Governance

To learn more about the Center for the Future of Cities and to get involved, contact Steve Wray, wray@econsultsolutions.com.
U.S. - China Research
The Challenging Prospect of China's Private Sector

According to recent data released by the country's National Bureau of Statistics, from January to September this year, the profits of private industrial enterprises above designated size fell by 8.1% year-on-year, in contrast to the 3.8% increase of state-owned holdings. The growth rate of private investment in the first nine months significantly lagged behind that of state-owned holding investment. During that same period, the national fixed asset investment (excluding farmers) increased by 5.9% year-on-year.

Present Value
ESI President and Principal Lee Huang sat down with Senior Advisor and former Philadelphia City Councilperson W. Wilson Goode, Jr. to discuss the state of equity and inclusion in filling city contracts. As a member of city council, Goode, Jr. was instrumental in creating initiatives to boost participation from underrepresented groups in city affairs.

Analyst John LaVaccare provides an analysis of past Philadelphia election data, including an update incorporating 2022 unofficial data.

Client Spotlight
George Fernandez, CEO of Latino Connection and Fernandez Realty, broke ground on Sycamore Homes, a $3 million affordable housing project in Harrisburg.
Hilco advances 1,300 acre Bellwether District development in South Philadelphia at the former PES refinery site.
SEPTA is offering free rides home from Lincoln Financial Field after Eagles games this season. Free rides start two hours after kick-off and run for four hours or until last train (12:30am).
Grounds for Sculpture receives Grow Up Great Early Education Grant
Penn State Football Economic Impact Study found that sports events generate more than $400 million for Centre County.
An economic impact study found that the University of Delaware generates $3.2 billion in statewide economic impact.
The Calder museum site had a ritualistic Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape blessing of the land and a symbolic groundbreaking. Construction is set to begin in 2023.
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