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Wagoner EDA approves $5,000 city share of retail-recruitment contract with consultant
Summary
The Wagoner Economic Development Authority voted to join a $60,000, one-year retail recruitment engagement; the city’s contribution is $5,000, staff said the consultant will deliver a market guide, gap analysis and about 30 targeted leads.
The Wagoner Economic Development Authority voted on June 11 to enter a cost-sharing agreement to retain a retail-recruitment consultant for one year, with the city asked to contribute $5,000 toward a $60,000 contract. Darla, a county economic-development official, told the board the consultant will deliver a retail-market guide, traffic maps, a gap analysis and roughly 30 targeted leads for the community.
Darla said the consultant will define Wagoner’s trade area, identify retail “leakage” and outline business opportunities tailored to the city. She told members the firm regularly works with national retailers and can make introductions and community visits; the agreed county/city arrangement would keep confidential information segregated between trade areas.
“We will do a custom retail market guide with traffic maps and get all your information really detailed out,” Darla said. She described the firm’s work to develop leads and to act on those leads by making introductions and helping to package incentives for prospective businesses.
Board members discussed how the packet and contract set the city’s $5,000 contribution. One board member asked that the price be made clearer to the public; staff said the contract terms and the contribution amount are included in the agenda packet and in the contract the board considered.
When the board voted to approve the cost-sharing agreement, the motion was recorded with a roll call: Wagner — yes; Sampson — yes; Higginbotham — yes; North — yes; Wright — yes; Wilson — no. The board’s paperwork describes the total consultant engagement at $60,000 for one year, with the city’s $5,000 share intended to “put skin in the game” and provide a tailored recruitment roadmap for future outreach.
Board members and staff said the product is intended to be a one-year engagement that can supply a roadmap for staff and elected leaders if they choose to follow up with the consultant, retain them longer or pursue alternative approaches.
The EDA motion was made and seconded on the record and the contract language and deliverables were included in the board packet.
