The Town of Abingdon, Virginia is seeking a consultant to facilitate a comprehensive economic development strategic planning process. The selected consultant will conduct a thorough organizational and capacity assessment, reviewing the agency’s mission, structure, operations, and authority while identifying capacity gaps, tool requirements, and partnership opportunities.

Key responsibilities include data collection and desktop review, examining relevant agency documents, policies, studies, zoning and housing data, and economic indicators, as well as analyzing demographic, workforce, and business climate trends in the region. The consultant will engage a wide range of stakeholders through interviews, focus groups, and surveys, including agency members, staff, local businesses, regional partners, and community representatives to summarize key community needs and priorities.

The scope also includes a detailed assessment of economic, workforce, and housing conditions, as well as a review of market dynamics affecting local business development, workforce availability, and housing issues. Based on these analyses and engagements, the consultant will draft a strategic plan encompassing vision and mission refinement, strategic priorities, actionable goals, implementation timelines, performance measures, partnership approaches, and funding recommendations. The process concludes with the presentation of a draft plan, facilitating a review workshop, and producing a final plan that incorporates stakeholder feedback.