Study Economic Development Models
Through the issuance of this Request for Proposal (RFP), the Alliance seeks proposals from qualified organizations to conduct an independent assessment of the Asheville/Buncombe areas economic development model. This consulting study, which should be completed by February 29, 2008, must encompass the following tasks:
Interview representatives of all relevant economic development organizations, including any supporting entities (e.g., institutions of higher education) to define current economic development entities, roles and responsibilities;
Document understanding of as is situation with an inventory of the areas current economic development organizations, visions, strategies and programs (be sure to distinguish economic and community development roles);
Review inventory with representatives of all economic development organizations and incorporate any required modifications;
Conduct a best practice survey to identify the most innovative and promising economic development models and strategies for consideration, and identify those communities with the most suitable models for the Alliances consideration;
Conduct a competitive scan of economic development models employed by five aspirational peer communities recommended by the consultant and approved by the Alliance (the scan should include such factors as organizational models, resources, funding, brands and marketing strategies);
Identify suitable performance metrics for evaluating the overall effectiveness of economic development organizations or models;
Recommend viable organizational and financing models for strengthening the coordination and synergism of the communitys economic development programs;
Recommend specific measures for minimizing duplication of effort among the areas current economic development entities and improving the coordination of economic development roles for the implementation of the areas economic visions;
Recommend other strategies for improving the individual or aggregate effectiveness and efficiency of the areas current economic development model; and
Plan and conduct focus groups/workshops with local economic development organizations to review draft findings and recommendations and obtain their perspectives and suggestions.
