CONSULTING SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH
STRATEGIC ECONOMICS FOR THE
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
City Council, September 18, 2023
ED Strategy Goals
2 • Create a clear vision & practical work plan to
achieve Council’s policies for economic
development
• Give efficient & effective focus of City’s
economic development resources and efforts
• Respond to recent market changes, post-
COVID trends, demographic shifts, and other
factors
• Expand the City’s status and visibility in the
Bay Area development community.
Selection Process
3 • Request for Qualifications (July-August)
• 11 responses, 6 interviewed
• Recommended Firm: Strategic Economics
• Strong Technical Expertise
• Focus on Community Engagement
• Knowledge of Local Economy
• Winter Consulting – diverse outreach support
• Budget: ARPA Funded
• Base of $120,000
• Flexibility to amend up to $150,000
Scope of Work
Data analysis - existing conditions & emerging trends Community Outreach – ID Vision, Goals and Priorities
SWOT Analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) ED Strategies – for overall city, as well as specific biz subareas Attracting/retaining businesses
Supporting small biz and workforce development
Developing opportunity sites
Improving specific program and service areas
5-year Implementation Work Plan
Incl. phasing, staffing, funding
4 Community Outreach
Stakeholder interviews & focus groups
Public Meetings
Online input (website, SL NEXT & social media)
Continuing stakeholder & policy maker engagement
4 Timeline & Key Deliverables
5 Timeframe Deliverables
Sept Project set-up & initiation
Oct-Dec Existing conditions analysis
Oct-Dec Initial public outreach & Workshop #1
Oct. 25 Finance Committee Update
Dec-Jan Draft SWOT Findings & Conclusions Summary
Jan 2024 Preliminary Recommendations & Framework Draft
Jan-Mar 2024 Draft ED Strategy Document
Feb-June 2024 Continuing Stakeholder & Policy Maker Engagement June-Aug 2024 Produce Final Report
Council Discussion
6 • Any additional items or
issues you would like the ED
Strategy to address?
• Any stakeholder groups or
individuals you would like
to seek input from during the
ED Strategy process?
Recommended Action:
Approve Agreement with Strategic Economics to
produce the Economic Development Strategy for an
Amount of $120,000, with ability to amend up to 25%
($150,000)