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<br /> <br />STUDY APPROACH, continued <br /> <br />Step 1 Deliverables: <br /> <br />Summary of public input, including interviews, focus groups, and the community survey <br />. Economic snapshot of the City, examining demographic trends, economic growth and major <br />employers <br />. Comparison of the City's performance and current economic conditions against Houston MSA and <br />state trends <br />The Economic Snapshot and summary of public input will comprise two chapters of the Economic <br />Development Strategic Plan. <br /> <br />STEP 2: DETERMINEECONOMlCMlX <br /> <br />As stated in the RFP, one of the City's objectives for this project is to determine the best economic mix <br />for the City of La Porte. Most economic development strategies contain a list of 'target industries' - <br />specific business sectors on which to focus community improvement and marketing initiatives. <br /> <br />While the Strategic Plan we develop for La Porte could include target industries, they will be only one <br />portion of the City's total economic mix. The City has a broader view of economic development - one <br />that recognizes that quality of place, tourism, small business growth, and retail are just as significant to a <br />community's success as industrial recruitment. <br /> <br />Avalanche's team members share La Porte's view of economic development. We emphasize community <br />development - downtown revitalization, entrepreneurship, place-making, workforce development - as a <br />foundation for sustainable long-term economic growth. A higher quality city will ultimately generate <br />a more diverse tax base for the City, which will in turn afford future community improvements. <br /> <br />In this step of the project, we will examine all of La Porte's potential audiences and recommend the best <br />mix of opportunities for accomplishing the City's goals. Based on the RFP, we understand that these <br />audiences may include industry and manufacturing, but could also include professional support <br />firms, retailers, tourists, entertainment venues, festivals, young professionals, entrepreneurs, real <br />estate developers, and municipal airport users. <br /> <br />Among La Porte's largest opportunities is the business and tourism activity that will be sparked by <br />Barbour's Cut and the new cruise terminal. We will devote a special section to solely examine target <br />audiences related to these facilities. <br /> <br />PROPOSAL: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE. RFP #08510 9 <br />