March 2020
News + Updates
Highlights
ESI can help with preparing your transportation infrastructure grant application. USDOT’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program has $1B to grant competitively. We have helped clients successfully compete for funding, contact us today. Contact us today.
ESI can help you submit your application for Redevelopment Assitance Capital Program (RACP) funding. For an initial discussion about your application or questions about your projects eligibility, contact Gina Lavery.
CraftNOW engaged ESI to undertake a preliminary economic and social analysis of the craft making sector. The purpose of the analysis was to define and describe the craft and maker sector in Philadelphia in 2019.
E SI Planning Roundtable
In February, ESI hosted a Planning Roundtable on the topics of Curbside Management, Congestion, Housing and Home Ownership with experts from around Philadelphia including Philadelphia OTiS, City of Philadelphia Planning Commission, NV5, and more. Thanks to all who participated!
Please complete Philadelphia Real Estate Council's Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Sentiment Survey for Q1 of 2020. Your feedback will be reflected in our Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Sentiment Index. Submissions are due March 31.
ESI April 2020 Webinar Series on Critical Issues Facing Higher Education
In April, ESI will host five free webinars for higher education professionals on the topics of technology revolution, the ROI of higher ed, diversity, innovation, and curricular expansions and contractions. If you are interested in joining one or more of the webinars, please contact Lindsay Durkalec.
Upcoming Events and Sponsorships
Proud Sponsor
City Council Reception
Proud Sponsor
Legislative Reception
ESI was proud to sponsor Preservation Alliance's Zoning Reform on February 27. ESI's Peter Angelides was a panelist, pictured here from left to right with: Ken Weinstein; Philly Office Retail, Paul Steinke; Preservation Alliance, Martha Cross; Department of Planning & Development, and Andy Meloney; City Planning Commission.
Staff and Senior Advisor Updates
Dan Connelly will speak at GFOA-PA's Conference on the Finance Function's Role in Economic Development on April 21.
Brittany Forman will speak at GFOA-PA's Conference on the Finance Function's Role in Economic Development on April 21.
Steve Wray will speak on a Smart Cities Panel at CityWorks(X)po Florida on March 11 .
Please join us in welcoming Kevin Dow to our Senior Advisor board! Mr. Dow joins us with expertise in multi-sector strategic planning, cross-cultural collaboration and team building, and non profit work.
ESI President Stephen Mullin attended retiring Commerce Director Harold Epps’ farewell party on March 4. We congratulate Harold for his accomplishments and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors. Four former City of Philadelphia Commerce Directors are pictured here, from left to right: Jim Cuorato, Harold Epps, Alan Greenberger, and Stephen Mullin.
News from the Lab
Driving ROI Through AI
There is little evidence-based research on the economics of artificial intelligence (AI) for businesses. While early attempts have been made to measure ROI, this research often fails to present the variations by industry, company size, and location needed for proper benchmarking. 

To fill the information gap, ESI ThoughtLab is launching  Driving ROI Through AI,   an innovative thought leadership program that will give executives the market intelligence, strategic insights, and data they need to help their firms become successful cognitive enterprises of the future.
U.S. - China Research
China is Good to Join Hands With the World
From our Beijing-based think tank partners, ANBOUND regarding COVID-19: "Bearing all aspects into considering, it is a must for China to maintain transparency in times of the epidemic and cooperate with the world. Only then can that lead to the beginning of making things better." Learn more.
Present Value
by Carlos Bonilla
by Lou Celi and Daniel Miles
by Blane Stoddart
by David Rouse
Client Spotlight
Sending our congratulations to Renee Cardwell Hughes for her appointment to CEO of Philadelphia OIC!
Philadelphia International Airport has set an all-time high record for passenger volume, welcoming 33.02m passengers in 2019.
Ocean City, New Jersey is rolling out a robust advertising campaign for the summer season, using economic development recommendations created by ESI as part of the pitch.
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