About Building for Growth

Building for Growth (BFG) is a national, online, tuition-free executive education program that helps primarily BIPOC-, woman-, and veteran-owned construction contractors build capacity and develop sustainable growth strategies. The BFG program launched its inaugural cohort in 2022, and since then has served 166 construction firms from 29 states.

The BFG program is led by Steve Lamar, Founder and CEO of Forward Planning & Solutions, who brings 20+ years of experience in supplier diversity, construction, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

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What Makes Building for Growth Unique?

• Peer-to-peer connections: join a vibrant cohort of diverse contractors to expand and enhance your peer network
• Led by practitioners: classes taught by construction industry practitioners and experts in their respective fields
• Access to resources: broad exposure to industry partners, including financial and bonding institutions, municipalities, and large prime contractors
• Business planning: create or improve a customized business plan designed to fuel growth, with feedback and support from the BFG staff

BFG Curriculum

BFG combines 18 weekly 2-hour virtual classes, dedicated technical assistance, and long-term mentorship. The time commitment is about 3-4 hours per week. The program comprehensively covers all key elements needed to be a successful construction firm.

For more detailed information about the BFG classes, please read our Full Curriculum.

Upon completion of the program, participants will become part of ICIC’s Inner City Alumni Network (ICAN), which empowers and serves ICIC’s 8,000+ alumni by providing ongoing learning and professional development, visibility and recognition, and a network through which they may explore collaboration and contracting opportunities.

Eligibility

To be eligible* for the BFG program, your company must be:

• An independent, for-profit corporation in the construction industry
• At least 51% BIPOC- and/or woman-owned and/or veteran-owned and/or located in an under-resourced community**
• Have annual revenues of $1MM-$10MM and/or be on course to reach or exceed $2MM within the next 3 years

*Regional cohorts may have additional eligibility requirements.
**ICIC defines under-resourced communities as areas of concentrated poverty and low income within urban and suburban communities. Not sure if you’re located in an under-resourced community? Apply to find out.

Upcoming Cohorts

New Jersey Cohort

The New Jersey Economic Development Authority is partnering with ICIC to bring BFG to New Jersey construction contractors, with classes starting January 2025. The program is hybrid, offering both in-person classes hosted at Kean University and virtual classes via Zoom.

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Boston Cohort

ICIC is the technical assistance provider for the construction sector in the City of Boston’s Supplying Capital and Leveraging Education (SCALE) initiative. The purpose of the SCALE program is to build businesses’ capacity to more effectively pursue government contracts. The construction sector includes plumbing & HVAC services; electrical work; general contracting services; roofing, siding, and flooring work; insulation, drywall, masonry, and weatherproofing work.

Boston-based construction companies are encouraged to apply for the opportunity. Selected participants will receive a grant of up to $200,000 and industry-specific technical assistance for three to six months. Eligibility requirements include:

• Businesses must be certified by the City of Boston’s Department of Supplier Diversity or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Supplier Diversity Office (SDO). (If they are not currently certified, they can start their certification process now as long as it is completed by the close of the application, December 2)
• Businesses must be based in Boston, Massachusetts
• Businesses must demonstrate a history of bidding on City or other public contracts
• Businesses must be an active, for-profit business in either the growth or mature stages of development.

Applications are open through Monday, December 2, 2024.

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Nominate & Apply

BFG offers national and regional cohorts limited to ~50 businesses each. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all seats are filled. We encourage you to apply early while openings remain.

Stay informed on upcoming cohorts, including application announcements, by emailing bfg@icic.org.

Know of any businesses that are a good fit for the BFG program? Nominate them to participate.

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Contact us

Have a question about Building for Growth? Contact us at bfg@icic.org or schedule an interest call here.

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