Unlocking the Power of Community Benefits Plans: Insights from Beam Reach Consulting Group
At Beam Reach Consulting Group, we are at the forefront of helping our clients navigate the complex landscape of Community Benefits Plans (CBPs). In a recent presentation, Laura Beeman, one of our Managing Consultants, shared her expertise on CBPs and how Beam Reach Group’s unique approach can help clients secure federal funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
Understanding Community Benefits Plans:
CBPs are now required for obtaining federal funding under the IIJA and IRA. While the concept itself is not new, CBPs now play a significant role in the funding application process, typically accounting for 20% of the overall scoring, divided equally among four key elements. These elements include engaging communities and labor organizations, investing in America's workforce, advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA), and furthering Justice 40 (J40) initiatives.
For example, a transportation infrastructure project seeking federal funding would need to demonstrate how it engages with local communities and labor organizations to address their concerns and incorporate their input. The project would also need to show a commitment to investing in workforce development, such as offering apprenticeship programs or partnering with local educational institutions to train the next generation of workers. Additionally, the project would need to advance DEIA by ensuring that disadvantaged communities have access to job opportunities and are not disproportionately impacted by the project's construction or operation. Finally, the project would need to further J40 initiatives by directing at least 40% of the benefits to disadvantaged communities.
The flexibility of CBPs allows applicants and their partners to develop innovative approaches that are tailored to their specific projects. However, it is crucial that these plans are specific, actionable, and measurable to ensure the efficient use of taxpayer funds, timely project implementation, and the acceleration of private sector uptake in funded projects.
Beam Reach Group's Comprehensive CBP Services:
Beam Reach Group offers comprehensive CBP services, guiding clients through the entire process from start to finish. Our team's diverse skillset and experience position us as the ideal partner for organizations seeking to develop compelling CBPs. We understand that each client has a unique story to tell, and our personalized approach ensures that their CBP reflects their distinct strengths and objectives.
For instance, when working with a renewable energy client seeking funding for a large-scale solar project, we would begin by thoroughly understanding their project goals, target communities, and existing partnerships. From there, we would help them identify potential new partners, such as local workforce development organizations or community groups focused on environmental justice. We would then work closely with the client to develop a CBP that showcases their commitment to engaging with these partners, investing in workforce training, advancing DEIA, and supporting J40 initiatives. This might include plans for community outreach events, targeted job fairs, or the establishment of a community advisory board to ensure ongoing engagement and input throughout the project's lifecycle.
The Beam Reach Method: The Beam Reach Method, our thorough approach to developing winning CBPs, encompasses various efforts, including:
1. Preparation and Background Research:
Conducting thorough research on the project's target communities, identifying Disadvantaged Communities (DACs), and assessing individual characteristics of disadvantage thar can be improved through the project.
Reviewing Justice 40 priorities and understanding what constitutes environmental justice in the context of the project.
Developing project management tools, such as trackers for documents, Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs), and letters of support, to ensure a well-organized and efficient CBP development process.
Let’s say we’re developing a CBP for a water infrastructure project; we begin by mapping out the project's service area and identifying any DACs that would be impacted. Then, we research the specific challenges faced by these communities, such as lack of access to clean water, aging infrastructure, or disproportionate exposure to pollutants. This information informs our outreach efforts and the development of targeted CBP activities aimed at addressing these challenges.
2. Developing Partnerships and Goals:
Reviewing existing programs and partnerships to identify areas for expansion and potential new partners.
Identifying project needs that could be addressed by CBP activities, considering the four key elements.
Conducting outreach to existing and potential partners to understand their needs and develop partnerships and programs that support the project and J40 goals.
Collaborating with the client to develop official proposals for each potential CBP partner, focusing on measurable goals achievable through the proposed activities.
For example, when developing partnerships for a broadband infrastructure project, we start by reviewing the client's existing relationships with community organizations, educational institutions, and local governments. We then identify potential new partners, such as digital literacy programs or organizations focused on bridging the digital divide. Through outreach and collaboration, we work to develop CBP activities that address the project's needs while also supporting the goals of these partners. This might include plans for digital skills training, the establishment of community Wi-Fi hotspots, or partnerships with schools to provide low-cost internet access to students.
3. Writing and Review Phase:
Drafting the CBP, incorporating client feedback through multiple iterations to ensure a complete and compelling document.
Presenting the CBP for client and team review, often as part of the overall proposal review process, to gather input and make necessary revisions.
Editing and formatting the CBP to meet lengthy guidelines while ensuring it is impactful, informative, and engaging, highlighting the client's commitment to the four key elements.
When drafting a CBP for a renewable energy project, we begin by outlining the project's goals, target communities, and proposed CBP activities. We then work closely with the client to refine the content, ensuring that it clearly demonstrates their commitment to engaging with communities, investing in workforce development, advancing DEIA, and supporting J40 initiatives. This might involve highlighting specific partnerships, such as collaborations with local job training programs or community organizations focused on environmental justice. We also focus on presenting measurable goals and outcomes, such as the number of jobs created for DAC residents, or the percentage of project benefits directed towards disadvantaged communities.
Case Study:
Beam Reach Group worked with an investor-owned utility in the northeast U.S. on an application for a high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line project proposed to connect a large renewable resource area to a load center. The project aims to enable access to baseload clean energy production in normal conditions, while also serving to increase reliability in the event of additional capacity need on either end of the line, thus boosting the regions’ clean energy economies.
Beam Reach Group's role involved developing a comprehensive CBP that covered three core states, over 100 CBP partners, public-private partnerships, and more, all within a 20-page limit. Our team's project management skills, relationship-building abilities, and organizational prowess were crucial in coordinating multiple outreach organizations, client departments, community partners, and various projects, programs, and documents.
To achieve this, we began by mapping out the project's service area and identifying key stakeholders across the three states. We then conducted extensive outreach to understand the needs and concerns of these communities and organizations. This involved facilitating meetings, workshops, and focus groups to gather input and build partnerships. We also worked closely with the client to review existing programs and identify areas for expansion or improvement.
Throughout the process, we maintained detailed trackers for documents, CBAs, and letters of support, ensuring that all relevant information was captured and organized. We collaborated with our client to develop a clear and compelling narrative that highlighted their commitment to the four key elements of CBPs, showcasing specific partnerships, initiatives, and measurable goals.
The result was a impactful CBP that demonstrated the client's dedication to engaging with communities, investing in workforce development, advancing DEIA, and supporting J40 initiatives across the project's service area. The CBP played a significant role in the project's successful application for federal funding, showcasing the value of Beam Reach Group's expertise and approach.
Developing Expertise through Exercise:
As part of the presentation, Laura Beeman led a discussion and exercise to further illustrate the CBP development process. The example centered around a hypothetical offshore wind farm project in the Mid-Atlantic. The project involves constructing a transmission line to connect the wind farm to consumers in neighboring states, with the long-term goals of improving resilience, reducing outages, and limiting rate increases.
The following consists of potential needs related to the four CBP elements, such as:
Community and Labor Engagement:
Conducting community outreach events to gather input and address concerns
Partnering with local labor organizations to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions
Establishing a community advisory board to provide ongoing feedback throughout the project's lifecycle
Workforce Development:
Offering apprenticeship and job training programs in collaboration with local educational institutions
Partnering with workforce development organizations to connect DAC residents with job opportunities
Providing scholarships for students pursuing careers in the renewable energy sector
Advancing DEIA:
Ensuring that project benefits, such as job opportunities and energy cost savings, are equitably distributed among DACs
Conducting targeted outreach to underrepresented groups to promote inclusivity in the project's workforce
Implementing diversity and inclusion training for project staff and contractors
Supporting J40 Initiatives:
Directing at least 40% of project benefits, such as energy cost savings and community investments, towards DACs
Collaborating with environmental justice organizations to address the unique needs and challenges faced by disadvantaged communities
Developing clean energy solutions, such as community solar programs, that prioritize access for DAC residents
The Beam Reach Method and our collaborative, team-oriented approaches have helped our clients deliver high-scoring applications and community benefits plans that meet or exceed the requirements of the IIJA and IRA.
