Robust growth means more clout on sensible development policies
Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA) announces it has reached a new membership high, expanding its capacity to represent the growing diversity in the city’s building industry and reflecting the city’s strong growth.With more than 225 member firms throughout the greater Philadelphia region, the BIA represents hundreds of real estate industry professionals – small and large builders and developers, sub-contractors, building material suppliers, mortgage and real estate brokers, architects and designers and many others working to grow and revitalize Philadelphia neighborhoods. This month BIA is hosting its first member drive of 2017 with a goal of recruiting 30 more members by May 31.
Capitalizing on 2016’sgrowth of30 percent, the BIA is kicking off another round ofmembership recruitmentwith a series of events and initiatives throughout 2017.“We want everyone involved in the real estate industry in Philadelphia, whether it’s sales, construction, material manufacturing or distribution, development or marketing, to understand that the BIA is their advocate in the city and a resource for growing and improving their business,” says James Maransky, vice president of BIA. “For the last three years BIA has been the fastest growing home builders association in Pennsylvania and we want to continue that momentum.”
BIA is proud that its growing membership reflects the increasing diversity of Philadelphia’s real estate industry, including numerous minority- and women-owned businesses and a growing contingent of younger members in the early stages of their careers.
The increase in BIA’s member base reflects the strong state of the residential market in Philadelphia and the organization’srecent accomplishments, including the passage of the GreenRoof Density bill that is incentivizing building and expanding the city’s green stormwater infrastructure. The BIA also worked successfully with the Department ofLicenses and Inspections and the Philadelphia Water Department to streamline the permitting process and better serve the organization’s members.
Most recently, BIA authored a report that analyzes the latest data regarding Philadelphia’s 10-year tax abatement and concludes that the program is increasing the city’s tax revenues and driving residential real estate through improvement, investment and development at all price levels, in all neighborhoods.
“We expect 2017 to be a banner year for BIA as we not only continue to increase our membership, but also provide a forum for informed discussion on policies that impact residential development and homeownership in Philadelphia,” says Maransky. “Our members work tirelessly not only to build relationships within the residential real estate industry, but also with city officials and agencies to shape a healthy construction and development environment to move the city forward.”
About Building Industry Association:
For 80 years, the Building Industry Association of Philadelphia (BIA) has represented the homebuilding industry in Philadelphia. Today, as the fastest-growing building association in Pennsylvania, its influence has grown to include mixed-use and nonresidential construction. BIA works to promote a healthy development climate on behalf of a wide range of industry professionals: builders, real estate developers, subcontractors, designers, finance experts, brokers, product manufacturers and others.
For more information and a full copy of the 10-Year Property Tax Abatement study, visit www.biaofphiladelphia.com
