Economic Development Commission - Minutes - 10/12/2023

Town of Waterford 
RFP for the Waterford 
Economic 
Development Strategy. 
 
10/2023 
 

 
RFP for Waterford Economic Development Strategy 
 
2 
 
 
 
 
Project Description 
Project Name:      RFP for Town of Waterford Economic Development Strategy 
Project Location: Town of Waterford Economic Development Strategy 
 
 
           Town of Waterford, CT 
Project Contact:   Shea Davy 
 
 
           Town of Waterford Purchasing Agent 
 
 
            bdavy@waterfordct.org 
 
 
           (860) 444-5842 
 
 
The Town of Waterford requests proposals from qualified planning consulting firms to facilitate 
the development of a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan (EDS). The plan will 
be grounded in a real estate market demand analysis by asset class (office, industrial, retail, 
etc.) as well as a leakage surplus analysis for traditional retail goods and services. The plan will 
also focus on development strategies for key geographic areas including, the Millstone Point, 
the Crystal Mall, the Route 85, 1 and 156 commercial corridors, Mago Point, the I-95 corridor, 
the Frontage Roads and the Cross Road “Business Triangle.” 
Demonstrate experience in successfully writing EDSs in the State of Connecticut. Firms should 
clearly illustrate expertise in evaluating current and desired conditions in a community’s 
economic development. Respondent will provide expert advice in Economic Development and 
innovative strategies based on analysis of information provided, other regional plans, research of 
national best practices, interviews and other methods. Firms should demonstrate expertise in 
mapping, interpreting and generating relevant data, facilitating consensus surrounding 
community goals and objectives, and crafting achievable implementation actions. Substantial 
expertise in public engagement is desired.  
Scope of Services   
1. Assess the Town’s current Economic Development program and provide 
recommendations for strategies, services, and organizational capacity to achieve 
economic development goals. The assessment should include an evaluation of 
Waterford’s role in the regional economy and identify growth opportunities.  
2. Develop a comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Town that 
identifies and provides direction on issues of economic development.   
3. Execute a robust and creative public engagement program in partnership with the 
Economic Development Commission and Town Staff. The engagement program at a 
minimum should include strategies to ensure meaningful engagement with key 
stakeholders including but not limited to the Waterford business community and the 

 
RFP for Waterford Economic Development Strategy 
 
3 
 
 
Eastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce.  The engagement program should 
proactively identify ways to engage underrepresented members of the business 
community and provide equitable opportunities for participation. The program 
should also include a summary of proposed meetings within the project timeline.   
4. Ensure compatibility with the Southeastern Connecticut Enterprise Region (seCTer) 
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and the Town’s POCD (which is 
currently being updated).  
Additional Information: 
At the end of the project, the successful firm will deliver:  
• A comprehensive Economic Development Strategy  in print (and ready-to-print) and 
digital formats. Materials will be user-focused, easily navigable, with clear graphics 
and searchable text (digital format).    
• Draft materials in print (as needed) and digital formats.  
• An executive summary identifying key issues and objectives raised in the final plan.  
• Single Page summary documents highlighting key goals identified in the Plan and 
actions associated with achieving them. The final number of summary pages TBD 
with the selected firm.  
• A digital form to assist Town Staff in drafting annual reports to the Economic 
Development Commission on implementation progress.  
• GIS data for use in future municipal planning and economic development activities.  
Firms should clearly identify their approach to performing the scope of services and 
providing all deliverables. Information in the proposal should include:  
• Description of Firm(s) history, expertise, and experience.  
• Identification of key team members and qualifications.  
• Clear public engagement strategy that meets the objectives identified in the scope 
of services. The strategy should include in-person and virtual tools.  
• For budgeting purposes, firms should anticipate a minimum off five in-person 
commission meetings, ongoing discussions with Town planning staff, and two 
presentations at the time of final plan adoption. Up to five additional meetings for 
topic-specific discussions with key stakeholders, Boards and Commissions, or a 
combination thereof should be anticipated. A per-meeting cost for in person and 
virtual meetings proposed above the minimum amount should be provided.