Details
02/15/2017
Economic Development Action Plan - RFP
GROW Licking County
GROW Licking County Community Improvement Corporation, serving as the lead economic development organization for Licking County, OH, is soliciting proposals from qualified consulting firms and teams to aid in providing Licking County an economic development action plan.
Background: In 2016, GROW Licking County engaged Research on Investment (ROI), a consulting firm based out of Montreal, Canada to aid in the pursuit of new business development opportunities within Licking County. As part of this engagement, GROW Licking County received a Target Industry Analysis Snapshot which highlighted comparable communities, community strengths, weakness, and industries that Licking County should target.
Scope of Work: Following finalization of the Target Industry Analysis, GROW Licking County would like to expand the Target Industry Analysis to form the basis of an economic development action plan. This would include:
• Extrapolating base results from the initial Target Industry Analysis to include identifying & implementing best practices in recruiting businesses to Licking County
• Reviewing identified comparable communities for initiatives & best practices that could be implemented in Licking County to further new & existing business development activities
• To achieve this, GROW Licking County would expect the incumbent to:
• Conduct Stakeholder meetings to identify community strengths (including sites, industries, higher education)
• Provide quantitative and qualitative data & information to aid in growing Licking County’s economic base
Deliverables: Any finalized plan should include:
• Infrastructure Analysis
• Inventory of existing infrastructure (water/sewer/electric/gas/fiber) as well as targeted areas within Licking County where infrastructure improvements could aid in economic development initiatives
• Within this area, targeting trends in fiber optics being installed/constructed within public infrastructure (re: public Right-of-ways) as well as best practices to extend fiber optics into a community and general cost information
• Reviewing best practices for the implementation of limited public Wi-Fi to serve as an amenity for central business districts as well as community assets for high-traffic areas
• Transportation Analysis
• Identifying strengths and weaknesses of the County’s existing transportation system(s)
• Providing suggestions of targeted projects & opportunities to promote better connectivity
• This would include both existing/conventional connections as well as potential future connections/opportunities
• Workforce Development & Talent Recruitment
• Best practices by communities & counties to internally development complimentary workforce for existing industries as well as recruit talent to backfill opportunities within existing industry sectors
• This could also include any general community development plans to aid in these development efforts
Additional Resources: A copy of the finalized Target Industry Analysis, as created by Research on Investment, can be made available to prospective consultants, upon request. Potential Funding Sources: GROW Licking County is currently evaluating a multitude of funding sources. Consultants & their teams should be eligible to receive funds from federal, state, and local sources. Any criminal history of fraud or disbarment from receiving federal or state funds shall null & void any contract between GROW Licking County & the proposed incumbent.
Timeline for responses are as follows:
• Any questions concerning the proposal shall be received no later than noon on Friday, February 22nd, 2017.
• A comprehensive answer page shall be issued to all parties by 5 PM on Friday, February 24th.
• Final Proposals shall be received by GROW Licking County electronically by noon on Friday, March 3rd, 2017 to the attention of: Nathan A. Strum, Executive Director – nstrum@growlickingcounty.org
Please note: 1. GROW Licking County reserves the right to extend the above timeline -- with notice to the proposed consulting parties. 2. Any work product developed or utilized by the selected consultant while under contract with GROW Licking County shall be saved and shared with only GROW Licking County at the end of the contract (or upon request by GROW Licking County).
