The purpose of this RFP is to obtain proposals for Economic Development Services to Support a Sustainable Craft Cannabis Sector.
Ulster County is interested in nurturing and promoting the development of a craft cannabis industry that focuses on sustainability and social/economic equity and contributes to agritourism. The Department of Economic Development (DED) intends to identify and select partners to engage with us to assist our local businesses and entrepreneurs in establishing viable craft cannabis enterprises that will support the County's overall vision for this industry. DED provides an array of support services to local businesses that include: Site Selection Assistance, Funding/Financing, Tax Incentives (through our partnership with the Ulster County IDA), Regulatory/Permitting Assistance, Education/Training, Workforce Development (through the Ulster County Office of Employment and Training), Networking and Marketing Events.
The selected Firm(s) shall be responsible to perform a number of activities independently, under the direction of the DED. The DED believes that a combination of group training workshops/seminars and one-on-one targeted support is necessary to assist a cohort of businesses in the first year of operations under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). Subject to the availability of funds and the outcomes of this project, the DED may choose, at its sole discretion, to extend the program, cancel the program or modify the program to more effectively achieve the Department’s goals in the future. As such, DED will work with selected firms to facilitate the creation of a sustainable craft cannabis industry in the County.
The selected Firm(s) shall be responsible to perform a number of activities in the development of the County’s agri-cannabis industry under the direction of the DED. The DED believes that, given the potential growth in this sector coupled with the evolving regulatory environment, prospective business will require a combination of group training workshops/seminars and one-on-one targeted support in the first year of operations under the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA).
Initial funding is subject to the availability of funds and the outcomes of this project. Also, the DED may choose, at its sole discretion, to extend the program, cancel the program or modify the program to more effectively achieve the Department’s goals in the future.
