The City of Madison is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) that seeks a consultant firm, or team of consultants, to prepare deliverables that (1) comprehensively compile relevant economic data and then analyzes that research and data into narrative findings and (2) create and implement an effective community engagement plan for residents and businesses. Additionally, (3) the selected consultant team will work closely with the City of Madison Economic Development Plan Staff Team and the City of Madison’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) to prepare goals and strategies for the Plan. 1. Research and Data Gathering, Data Analysis, and Narrative Creation The City of Madison seeks a firm or team to compile and then analyze relevant economic research and data into findings and narrative that will help inform the creation of the City’s economic development goals and strategies. The City does not wish to be inundated with large quantitative datasets. A robust but selective dataset that provides clear findings and trends is more useful than a large data dump. As such, the City is interested in selecting a consulting firm or team with a demonstrated ability to interpret and translate quantitative data and figures into compelling and comprehensive narrative that City Staff, EDC members, and members of the public can access, understand, and use to inform the development of goals and strategies. Currently identified points of interest related to economic development for which additional data would be useful are noted below. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of points of interest and the City will welcome other data sets related to other topic areas that the consultant believes will help inform additional points of interest and possible goals and strategies: • POINT OF INTEREST – “How can we improve the creation of generational family wealth in our communities?” o What is data telling us about how well Madison is doing in terms of family wealth creation, both for the City in its entirety and within individual communities within the City? o Are there any data insights into opportunities for improvement? • POINT OF INTEREST – “How do we keep more dollars circulating in our local economy?” o What is data telling us about how well Madison attracts external dollars and then circulates those dollars throughout the community? o How robust are our local supply chains and spending by local institutions? o Are there any data insights into opportunity for improvement? • POINT OF INTEREST – “How can we better leverage economic development work to build great places throughout the City?” o What is data telling us about the health of our Neighborhood Business Districts? o Are there Neighborhood Business Districts in need of greater attention compared with others?
