When is the submission deadline?

Submissions are due August 12, 2026. Questions must be submitted by July 23, 2026.

What is the budget for this RFP?

The published budget is Up to $85,000.

It was issued by Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. The work is located in Virginia, United States; North Carolina, United States.

Who is a good fit for this opportunity?

Economic development or strategic planning consultancy. Experience in arts, culture, and creative economy initiatives. Background in Appalachian heritage, cultural preservation, or tourism development. Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation capabilities. Ability to lead regional surveys, workshops, and multi-county planning efforts. Experience working with artists, musicians, storytellers, and cultural organizations. Familiarity with sustainable economic growth strategies tied to tourism and cultural assets.

Creative Economy Strategic Planning Service (Due August 12, 2026)

Overview

Management Consulting & Admin Support

Virginia, United States; North Carolina, United StatesPosted: July 14th, 2026Deadline: August 12th, 2026

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SUMMARY

A consultant is sought to develop a comprehensive strategic plan to grow the creative economy across 29 counties, with a focus on artisans, musicians, storytellers, and heritage tourism. The work includes stakeholder engagement, regional assessment, and recommendations for business growth, cultural preservation, and tourism development.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

Must be a qualified consulting firm or team
Must have experience in strategic planning, creative economy development, and cultural tourism
Must have experience facilitating stakeholder engagement and regional planning processes
Must have experience working in Appalachian communities or rural regions
Must have experience managing ARC-funded projects
Must be familiar with cultural heritage tourism, storytelling initiatives, music programming, or artisan development
Must submit proposal in PDF format via email
Must include all travel expenses related to project activities in the proposal
Must comply with federal laws, regulations, and grant requirements including 2 CFR Part 200

BUDGET

Verified

Up to $85,000

CONTRACT DURATION

9 months

TIMELINE

RFP Issue Date: July 10th, 2026

Deadline for Questions: July 23rd, 2026

Responses to Questions: July 31st, 2026

Proposals Due: August 12th, 2026

Proposal Review, Interviews, Consultant Selection: August 13th–September 4th, 2026

Award Notification: Early September 2026

Project research, stakeholder engagement, surveys, meetings, strategic plan development: September 2026–February 2027

Draft Strategic Plan Due: February 28th, 2027

Final Strategic Plan Due: March 31st, 2027

QUESTION DEADLINE

July 23rd, 2026

CONTACTS

Primary procurement contact — name, title, email, and phone

Additional decision-makers and their departments

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Issuing Agency

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation

Organization overview and procurement intelligence available on paid plans.

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DESCRIPTION

The issuing organization seeks a consultant to provide creative economy strategic planning services focused on strengthening and growing the regional creative economy. The strategic plan is intended to support artisans, musicians, and storytellers, with emphasis on business growth, earned income opportunities, market access, audience development, and tourism-related sales and performance opportunities.

The selected consultant will develop a comprehensive roadmap covering 29 counties and identify strategies for cultural preservation, interpretation, and promotion of Appalachian cultural traditions, history, and heritage. The work also includes identifying opportunities to enhance visitor experiences through storytelling, music, festivals, cultural interpretation, and heritage tourism initiatives.

As part of the planning process, the consultant will facilitate regional surveys, stakeholder discussions, and strategic planning sessions involving artists, musicians, storytellers, tourism partners, cultural organizations, project staff, community leaders, and subject-matter experts throughout the corridor. The final plan should identify needs and opportunities to expand business development, increase sales and audience engagement for regional creatives, and support sustainable economic growth through cultural and tourism development.

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Frequently asked questions

When is the submission deadline?: Submissions are due August 12, 2026. Questions must be submitted by July 23, 2026.
What is the budget for this RFP?: The published budget is Up to $85,000.
Who issued this RFP?: It was issued by Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. The work is located in Virginia, United States; North Carolina, United States.
Who is a good fit for this opportunity?: Economic development or strategic planning consultancy
Experience in arts, culture, and creative economy initiatives
Background in Appalachian heritage, cultural preservation, or tourism development
Strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation capabilities
Ability to lead regional surveys, workshops, and multi-county planning efforts
Experience working with artists, musicians, storytellers, and cultural organizations
Familiarity with sustainable economic growth strategies tied to tourism and cultural assets

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