Ocean City, MD. (August 14, 2024) – The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) in conjunction with Ullico Casualty Group/NPF, Fulton Bank and Mayson-Dixon, today launched the LIUNA Investment Fund and Team (LIFT) that partners with small, minority, women-owned, and disadvantaged businesses to help them access key business resources.
The program, announced on the opening day of the 2024 Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Summer Conference, aims to support diverse businesses competing for a growing number of infrastructure projects in the state.
“There is no better place to unveil LIFT then in a room surrounded by legislators, policy makers, and industry experts who are here because they want Maryland to succeed,” said Ryan Boyer, Sr., Business Manager of the Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers’ District Council. “Empowering Maryland’s diverse communities through LIFT is key for a prosperous future not just for contractors, but the entire state.”
Boyer and his team will offer more details about the LIFT program at LIUNA’s Solutions Showcase Session on Wednesday, and during the Saturday closing session prior to Gov. Wes Moore’s remarks. Moore has committed to ensuring broad and inclusive participation Maryland’s robust construction industry, noting that Maryland does not have to choose between having a growing economy and a fair one. LIFT supports that mission.
LIFT is divided into four pillars: LIUNA members and high-quality labor, investment, funding, and team support. Each pillar represents a unique offering for participating contractors.
“For over a century, LIUNA has been active in the construction industry,” said Dennis L. Martire, LIUNA Vice President and Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager. “We are really excited to be able to use our industry experience to expand the resources we can bring to our contractor partnerships.”
LIUNA members stand at the core of the LIFT program. With its specialized training programs, LIUNA guarantees contractors a skilled, safe reliable workforce.
Participating contractors also have access to investments to enhance their competitiveness. LIFT partner, Ullico, is the only wholly labor-owned financial services company. The Ullico/NFP Small Contractors Surety Bond Assistance Program helps contractors secure bonding and gain access to essential insurance programs such as general liability and health insurance.
Two LIUNA affiliates – LIUNA’s Mid-Atlantic Region and the Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers’ District Council – have jointly funded an initial LIFT investment of $1 million. That funding is administered through LIFT partner Fulton Bank.
“Fulton Bank is proud to be a substantial early contributor to the LIFT program, which empowers diverse-owned businesses to grow and thrive, positively impacting our communities,” said Tiana Wells-Lawson, Fulton Bank Commercial Relationship Manager. “This effort aligns well with our purpose to change lives for the better.”
The last pillar, team support, emphasizes the collaboration among partners and provides resources from two additional partners. National American Construction Services can assist with accounting and documentation while Mayson-Dixon brings expertise to guide participating contractors through every pillar of the LIFT program.
“At Mayson-Dixon, we know that successful small businesses drive community development and prosperity,” said Jayson Williams, CEO of Mayson-Dixon. “We are looking forward to being part of this journey.”
“Maryland is a state with so many opportunities, and that opportunity is going to be within reach like never before through LIFT,” said Ryan Boyer, Jr., Regional Business Representative for the Philadelphia/Baltimore/Washington Laborers’ District Council.
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