Rural Economic Strategies Review Analysis and Evaluation Services

The vendor is required to provide to a rural economic strategy created in 2014 by reviewing economic trends, policies, and related topics such as farmworker housing and tourism data; providing analyses, reporting, and recommendations; and providing community engagement support.
- Review and summarize relevant policy changes adopted in the 2024 Comprehensive Plan;
- Evaluate the housing needs for permanent and temporary farmworkers, and whether the current KCC meets those needs; 
- Evaluate tourism and economic development associated with scenic, historic, and recreational resources along the designated state Scenic and Recreational Highways; 
- Evaluate ways to support unique local rural- and natural resource-based businesses; 
- Provide recommendations for changes to strategies as a result of the above tasks in the form of a technical report; 
- Create materials and participate in engagement activities throughout the process.
1. Research & Analysis
• Obtain, disseminate and evaluate available studies and data pertaining to changes in the rural and natural resource economy since 2014, and projections of future changes. 
• Review and summarize relevant policy changes in the County’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. Coordinate with County staff on policy context. 
• Obtain, disseminate and evaluate tourism-specific data, in the context of destinations along designated Washington Scenic and Recreational Highways in County. 
• Research and document ways to support unique local rural- and natural resource-based businesses, showcasing examples in other areas with similar characteristics to rural County
• Plan and create materials for community engagement
2. Engagement & Drafting
• Create summaries and talking points of research and analyses, including links to the specific context of rural and natural resource lands in King County. 
• Recommend changes and additions to existing strategies stemming from research findings. 
• Create an initial technical report of findings. 
• Provide materials for engagement, including technical review. 
• Provide technical editing of the King County draft report.
3. Public Review Draft
• Create sections of a draft rural economic strategy, combining research findings, community feedback, and internal staff coordination.
• Refine engagement materials and scope in preparation for a public review period. 
• Participate in public review activities, virtually and in-person, as support to County leads. 
• Create a complete draft technical report of findings.
4. Refinement & Finalization
• Summarize feedback from the public review draft period, linking such feedback to changes in the final rural economic strategy. 
• Provide technical editing of the strategy document and supporting documents. 
• Complete a final technical report of findings.
- Contract Period/Term: 2.5 years