Cluster-Based Economic Development Analysis and Plan
The EDCMC is seeking proposals from a
consultant to focus, target and improve the efforts of the EDCMC and its key partners to
strengthen selected clusters and identify growth opportunities within and related to the
clusters. The proposal will identify an assessment and create a methodology to: (i)
address the work items in Section II and the seven (7) objectives in Section III above;
(ii) define, determine and collect data related to at least three (3) selected clusters in the
Micropolitan Area; (iii) prepare an inventory of the clusters and participant members; (iv)
define missing or weak links in the local economy, work force, supply chain, etc.; (v)
identify each of the clusters strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and threats of
doing business in the Micropolitan Area; (vi) examine local, state, national and global
economic trends relevant to those clusters; (vii) identify critical physical infrastructure
and human infrastructure factors that may be holding back the economic growth of
these clusters in the Micropolitan Area; (viii) identify what niche markets and industries
hold a true competitive advantage by locating in the Micropolitan Area; (ix) identify key
businesses that are driving the economy of the Micropolitan Area and explain how they
collaborate with each other; (x) identify incentive strategies pertaining to the clusters
that are compatible with Wisconsin Department of Commerce guidelines; and (xi)
formulate changes to existing economic development programs available in the
Micropolitan Area communities, as well as proffer new ideas, directions and clusterbased
economic development strategies for the EDCMC to address how it can nurture
and support the growth of existing clusters in the Micropolitan Area.
