Belleville Downtown Development Authority REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: DOWNTOWN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAM

Transcription

1 Belleville Downtown Development Authority REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: DOWNTOWN BUSINESS RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION PROGRAM The Belleville Downtown Development Authority is accepting proposals for Consulting Services as described on pages 2-4 until 4:00 P.M. on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Proposals may be mailed or hand-delivered, but must arrive at the City Clerk's office by 4:00 P.M. on the due date. Each proposal should be organized on the basis of the Seven (7) Sections described on page 5, and should provide sufficient information for all Sections. If you have questions about the intent of the requirements, please direct them to the City Manager s Office at Ten (10) complete copies of your proposal must be submitted together in one sealed envelope marked "DDA Consulting Services", and addressed to Diana Kollmeyer, City Clerk 6 Main Street Belleville MI Page 1 of 5 pages

2 SUMMARY OF THE CONSULTING SERVICES PROJECT The Belleville Downtown Development Authority (DDA) desires to contract with a consultant to design and implement a business recruitment and retention program. THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A STUDY, BUT RATHER AN ACTION-ORIENTED PROGRAM which involves applying existing studies and known strategies to develop a specific set of actions to be taken and goals to be achieved, with timetables and budget allocations for the fiscal year. THE CONSULTING SERVICES ARE TO INCLUDE BOTH THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM. Background The DDA District was established in It is the commercial center for the Belleville/Van Buren community, and is recognized as such in the Van Buren Township Master Plan. Van Buren Township is now rapidly developing, which is bringing substantial new commercial and residential development to the community, with strong demographics and a strong potential future for the downtown. The DDA is interested in taking advantage of the opportunities from this community growth to support a more vital downtown. A strengthened mix of retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues is needed to compete with neighboring business districts and contribute to the quality of our larger community. The Anderson Economic Group prepared a Downtown Market Strategy for the Belleville DDA (April 2005). It includes A market overview An economic assessment A retail feasibility analysis A discussion of redevelopment opportunities A discussion of merchant tips A marketing strategy A business recruitment strategy The DDA intends to base its recruitment and retention program on the AEG study and other studies related to the subject, without reinventing the wheel. The consulting services described in this proposal are intended to emphasize implementation and follow-up evaluation rather than basic analysis. Page 2 of 5 pages

3 Business Recruitment Program The DDA desires to develop and implement a business recruitment program which will include at least the following: 1. A review of the DDA District s market area based on the AEG study. 2. A review and evaluation of City zoning and business regulations, policies and practices as they relate to new business recruitment 3. Preparation of a list of targeted business categories to recruit 4. Development of a recruitment plan, including coordination with local realtors and landlords, local and regional chambers of commerce, other business recruitment sources, and the use of one or more recruitment committees 5. Consideration of potential recruitment incentives, including key business attraction and site selections characteristics, local and state financial incentives, retention services and downtown promotion efforts 6. Development of a recruitment materials packet for use in direct recruitment contacts 7. Identification of specific recruitment targets 8. Implementation of specific recruitment efforts Business Retention and Expansion Program The DDA desires to develop and implement an existing business retention and expansion program which will include at least the following: 1. Assessment of the specific needs of businesses in the DDA District, including a survey of existing businesses 2. A review and evaluation of City zoning and business regulations, policies and practices as they relate to existing business retention and expansion 3. Implementation of a coordinated downtown promotion program, including communications, outreach, and planning and coordination of the DDA s role in special events and activities. 4. Development of programs to assist existing businesses in areas which are critical to business success, such as Page 3 of 5 pages

4 Awareness knowledge about and use of federal, state and other small business services Business planning and management skills - one-on-one business counseling, referrals to service providers, training seminars, newsletters and assistance inventories Communication improve and expand communication with the downtown business community Cost-effective use of personnel - employee training, secret shoppers, career days and high school intern programs Competitiveness - implementation of market analysis recommendations such as clustering plans, targeted marketing, preferred shopper specials, vendor inventories Business district image - parking, security, physical appearance, business hours, district advertising 5. Development and implementation of an over-all strategy for DDA District business retention and expansion Page 4 of 5 pages

5 THE PROPOSAL DOCUMENT SHOULD INCLUDE AND BE ORGANIZED ON THE BASIS OF THE FOLLOWING CLEARLY IDENTIFIED SECTIONS: #1: Qualifications of the Firm. The resume of your consulting firm (or your personal resume if you are an individual person). #2: Qualifications of Project Personnel. Resume of the person who is proposed to supervise this project (or indicate Same as Section #1 if you are an individual person). #3: Scope of Work. An overview of how you propose to approach the Belleville project, including how you propose to interface with the DDA (which meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.). #4 Relevant Experience. Your experience in providing business recruitment, retention and promotion services. #5: References. Professional reference list, with emphasis on services provided to municipalities which are or were similar to this proposal. #6: Cost Proposal. Proposed fee schedule for providing the requested services, and an estimate of the amount of time you anticipate committing to the scope of work. #7: Additional Information. Any other pertinent information which you want to provide. Page 5 of 5 pages