The Allegany County Planning and Economic Development Committee approved accepting a professional services proposal from Community Scale LLC to conduct a countywide housing market assessment and development strategy funded by a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) award.

Committee members were told the county advertised a request for proposals, received submissions in late May and assembled a small review group to score proposals. Staff recommended Community Scale LLC because it scored highest on the review rubric and submitted the lowest bid. Staff asked the committee to authorize up to $50,000 to match the grant award; meeting remarks noted the selected proposal was roughly $1,200 below the grant ceiling but the committee authorized the full $50,000 in case of unforeseen costs.

Staff described the study as countywide, saying it will engage stakeholder groups, agencies and employers across the jurisdiction and that it would address housing needs including senior housing questions raised by committee members. When asked about the timeline, staff said the typical contract length in the proposals is nine to 12 months and that the selected firm’s proposal did not specify a single fixed end date.

The committee approved the selection and contract authorization by voice vote.