Innovative US methods to fund public infrastructure projects will be explored as part of a forum in Sydney next Tuesday 27 July co-hosted by the US Studies Centre and Sinclair Knight Merz, a Sydney based international engineering and project delivery firm.

American experts in the field of public infrastructure funding John Brancaglione, Laura Radcliff and Gregory Hummel will take part in the forum moderated by Ed Blakely, Honorary Professor in Urban Policy at the US Studies and a world-renowned expert in urban renewal.

Together they will present the Thought Leadership Forum on Innovative Funding Strategies for Urban Infrastructure, which will have a particular focus on the widely used US practice of Tax Increment Financing (TIF).

These techniques will be discussed as possible options for increasing the funds available for much-needed Australian infrastructure projects.

Brancaglione , Radcliff and Hummel each have vast experience in arranging development financing in the US and other parts of the world as detailed below.

John Brancaglione: Vice President PGAV Urban Consulting in St. Louis. He has provided urban planning consulting services to more than 300 communities and is a recognised expert on TIF, having managed TIF planning assignments for more than 100 cities in the US.

Laura Radcliff: Senior Vice President Stifel Nicolaus Public Finance in St. Louis. She has served as an investment banker on more than 300 bond issues with a total par amount in excess of $16.0 billion and focuses on economic development finance. Laura has served as the lead investment banker for TIF and development district financings throughout America.

Gregory Hummel: Partner Bryan Cave LLP in Chicago. He has practiced law for 36 years and concentrates on public-private partnership matters. Gregory has advised on the creation of tax increment financing districts in over 20 US states and helped to create the Virgin Island’s first TIF law. He is a frequent speaker on TIF in the United States and overseas.