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we're putting the S into ESG

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BlackRock Deal Release



E.S.G-Open is a leading innovator in scope 1,2 and 3 analysis of the direct, indirect and induced impacts of Environmental, Social and Governance investments and production activity.

Based on three decades of academic modeling, using input output, social accounting, matrices and computer, general equilibrium modeling, ESG-Open methodology has deep roots, Starting with the original application of Dr. Raul Hinojosa and Dr. Sherman Robinson CGE/SAM modeling to US Mexico, trade environment, migration and capital flows, which led to the creation of the North American Development Bank in association with the UCLA NAID Center. Further applications of this modeling work have been carried out in many parts of the world as well as the basis for a variety of global multicountry, multi sector, modeling of trade flows, financial flows, environmental impacts and social impacts.

Project LIFT RF is the largest franchise partnership ever for Retro Fitness (https://retrofitness.com/), a health club based franchise and Project LIFT RF. The initiative's goal is to open 500 health clubs in 50 Black and Brown communities across the country over the next 5 years.

Project LIFT RF will deliver high-value, low-price fitness centers in diverse communities across the U.S.

Under the terms of this agreement, ESG-Open will conduct "Social Impact" studies, by first establishing baseline data points and then updating those data points periodically, studying the impact of the Project LIFT gyms on employees, their supply chain and surrounding communities.

Project LIFT is focused on (so-called) "Gym Desserts", which are similar to "Grocery Store desserts" in under-privileged and poor neighborhoods, where low-economic activity causes many grocery stores to go out of business and close.

"Gym Desserts" have also been caused by low-economic activity. Project LIFT RF is focused on solving this challenge, as it has been proven that lack of gyms in local communities exacerbates both health and employment issues.

According to a study completed by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, African American and Non-Black Hispanic citizens have a higher obesity rate than other ethnic groups, regardless of socioeconomic status, which leads to side effects such as high blood pressure, diabetes and many others that have only been amplified during the pandemic.

Retro Fitness and Project LIFT RF created this unrivaled program to help spearhead change and bring affordable exercise, health and fitness solutions to Black and Brown communities.

ESG-Open has developed a methodology and is working on a platform to first: a) establish baseline readings across three scopes of focus; Direct (employees and core business), Indirect (supply chain and related businesses) and induced (surrounding neighborhoods and communities) scopes. b) ESG-Open will then take these baseline readings and compare them to industry and societal norms so that, c) they can then measure the effectiveness and influence on key social factors caused by the insertion of Project LIFT gyms into local communities.

Tracking the ongoing progress and deltas between industry norms and actual social factor readings will then generate a new kind of "rating" (or scoring) system, which will be utilized in evaluating Project LIFT RF gym performance and effectiveness.

If we believe that focusing on issues OTHER than profits is important, then it becomes increasingly important to evaluate investments and ROI based on factors beyond just money and profits/loss.

That's the business ESG-Open is in. Evaluating investments based on social factors and social equity footprint, rather than just pure money.

By quantifying, measuring and tracking key social factors (such as employment, wages, health, education and location) ESG-Open can literally report - down to the ZipCode - any progress and benefits the Project LIFT gyms may deliver.

"ESG-Open is putting the S into ESG investing" says Dr. Raul Hinojosa, CEO of ESG-Open.

BlackRock is the world's largest wealth asset management company. The BlackRock Impact Opportunities (BIO) Fund makes direct investments across private equity, private credit, infrastructure, real estate, and other asset classes - using a wide range of tools seeking to create collective wealth for the businesses and communities in which it invests.

For further info, contact ESG-Open at: marccanter@gmail.com.