Economic Development Strategy Services

The Vendor is required to provide to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy that will guide the city’s growth, attract investment, retain businesses, and improve overall quality of life for residents and visitors.
- Their strategies are rooted in relevant community planning documents and they execute deliberate initiatives that encourage investment while eliminating development and redevelopment obstacles.
- The economic development strategy should connect to the master plan, capital improvements plan and other relevant documents.
- Downtown Development Authority’s Strategic Plan.
- At a minimum, the following items should be addressed:
•    Identify local assets, locational advantages, potential business collaborations and other place-based characteristics;
•    Establish economic development goals that align with the cities adopted strategic framework based on local opportunities and challenges;
•    Effectively describe the community’s role in the region and regional opportunities;
•    Provide a compelling case for local real estate development and redevelopment opportunities;
•    Recommend strategies for business retention, expansion and attraction with a specific focus on how to support entrepreneurs, pedestrian counts, incubators and second-stage businesses;
•    Outline opportunities for entrepreneurship, small business support and innovation;
•    Outline state and local programs that will support development that is consistent with the community’s goals; and
•    Describe specific implementation steps and responsible parties
- Work should include:
•    A review of existing plans, studies and data sources with a focus on market and industry trends;
•    Interviews and/or focus groups with key stakeholders (i.e. Businesses, city staff, developers, etc.);
•    Identification of short-, medium- and long-term strategies for economic growth;
•    Identification of target investment opportunities;
•    A written economic development strategy; and
•    A minimum of two meetings to present a draft and final document to the city council and downtown development authority board.

- Questions/Inquires Deadline: October 10, 2025