Economic Development Strategic Plan Services

The Vendor is required to provide in developing and implementing economic development strategies in urban centers and surrounding growth areas.
- The consultant will also provide facilitation services during the public outreach and stakeholder engagement process.
- Data Collection and Economic Analysis
•    Identify, review, and analyze existing demographic, socioeconomic, labour force, and economic data (EMSI light cast, county business count survey, statscan census). Additionally, review relevant background studies.
•    Review local by-laws, policies, and development processes.
•    Prepare a market study of city commercial and industrial sectors and a comprehensive community profile.
•    Benchmark city performance relative to the greater county area, with a focus on:
•    Infrastructure and employment lands
•    Drivers of growth (transit, healthcare, etc.)
•    Competitiveness against peer municipalities
- Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation
•    Design and execute a robust engagement process including:
•    Stakeholder interviews and workshops
•    Online community survey (let’s talk city)
•    Engage the following groups:
•    Local businesses
•    Council
•    Community organizations
•    Government agencies
- Asset Mapping and SWOT Analysis
•    Identify community assets and competitive advantages.
•    Conduct a SWOT or SWOT-style analysis to inform strategic direction.
•    Recommend programs and activities to leverage these assets.
•    Identify development strategies for priority sectors:
•    Advanced manufacturing: focus on automation, clean tech, and precision manufacturing
•    Food & agriculture: support for AGRI-tech, food processing, and local food systems
•    Clean energy & nuclear innovation: attract firms in nuclear supply chain, energy storage, and clean tech.
•    Information & communications technology (ICT): support startups, digital services, and cybersecurity.
•    Logistics and supply Chain: Capitalize on city multimodal connectivity (rail, road, port, airport)
- Emerging Sectors:
•    Health care and life science: potential for biotech, medical devices, and health innovation hubs
•    Creative industries: promote city as a filming destination and creative hub.
•    Professional & business services: supports the growth of small and medium sized enterprises (SMES) in professional services.
•    Identify opportunities to grow city innovation ecosystem and digital economy. Recommend strategies to support tech startups and digital infrastructure.
- Business Retention, Expansion
•    Conduct a business retention & expansion (BR+E) study.
•    Propose a framework for a small business and entrepreneurship center.
- Investment Attraction
•    Conduct a business investment and attraction study.
•    Position city as a destination for international business, investment, and collaboration.
•    Jurisdictional scan on incentives offered by agency municipalities
- Marketing
•    Recommend marketing and social media engagement strategies.
•    Identify marketing opportunities for city shovel-ready land inventory.
•    Tourism, culture & recreation: potential for eco-tourism, festivals, and branding awareness for destination city
•    Further develop city community development brand.
- Infrastructure and Development
•    Construction & green building technologies: opportunity to lead in sustainable construction and smart city design (city developments).
•    Identify economic opportunities related to the federal city lands.
•    Concierge services/ streamlining process/ red tape reduction
- Workforce Development
•    Align workforce development strategies with priority sector needs through collaboration with post-secondary institutions, industry partners, and regional stakeholders.
•    Recommend targeted initiatives to attract and retain talent, including youth engagement, newcomer integration, and workforce upskilling programs.
•    Explore the establishment of a city workforce advisory council to guide implementation and ensure alignment with economic development goals.
•    Promote inclusive workforce strategies that address barriers to employment and support equity, diversity, and inclusion in the labour market.
- Strategic Partnerships and Advocacy
•    Identify potential public and private partnerships.
•    Recommend advocacy strategies to secure funding and policy support.
- Trade Diversification, Resilient Supply Chain, and International Engagement
•    Propose initiatives to support trade diversification and global market access.
•    Assess risks and propose strategies to enhance economic resilience (e.g., postCOVID recovery to tariff impact, climate adaptation, and supply chain stability).

- Contract Period/Term: 4 years
- Questions/Inquires Deadline: August 29, 2025