Santa Fe EDC declines Retail Coach contract, cites timing and readiness concerns
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Summary
The board voted to politely decline a $24,850 retail recruitment contract with Retail Coach, saying Santa Fe may lack move-in-ready retail space and the EDC preferred to prioritize other tools and staff capacity first.
The Santa Fe Economic Development Corporation voted May 27 to decline a proposal from Retail Coach for retail recruitment services valued at $24,850.
Board members cited two practical concerns: limited available move-in-ready retail space in Santa Fe and the EDC's current stage of capacity. Several members said a subscription to retail recruitment services is more effective where a community already has ready inventory or developers prepared to deliver retail space.
Devin, executive director, summarized local constraints and said Retail Coach's success often depends on a jurisdiction's existing inventory and developer relationships. Board members argued the EDC should first pursue smaller, lower-cost tools (databases and direct outreach) and focus on site availability and developer engagement before contracting for third-party retail recruitment.
A motion to inform Retail Coach that the EDC would not proceed at this time passed on a roll-call vote; the director was asked to notify the vendor and keep the vendor on the EDC's list for future consideration.
Board members noted that a future strategy could include a mix of direct outreach, developer engagement and potential property acquisition to create move-in-ready retail space before contracting for a national retail recruitment service.
