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BDAB approves staff solicitation to run focus groups and stakeholder interviews for city economic development strategy
Summary
Board members approved a staff-led solicitation to convene three focus groups and conduct stakeholder interviews to inform a city-focused economic development strategy; staff will recruit representatives from entrepreneurship, recruitment, retention/expansion, workforce and social-infrastructure sectors.
BDAB approved a staff request on June 4 to solicit participants and facilitators for three focus groups and a slate of stakeholder interviews that will feed a city-focused economic development strategy.
Staff described a proposed structure of three facilitated focus-group sessions (June 10, July 10 and Aug. 28) and roughly 100 stakeholder interviews (about 75 with top private employers and 25 using Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages data). The focus-group categories are entrepreneurship, business recruitment, business retention/expansion, workforce development and social infrastructure. Staff said Urban Renewal–located businesses will be prioritized for entrepreneur invitations because urban renewal funds will underwrite the process, but they offered to broaden recruitment if BDAB preferred a wider geographic mix.
Jonathan (staff lead) and Cyrus (staff) told the board they plan to use a professional facilitator (the firm being negotiated with city council’s facilitator) and to limit each focus group to about 20 participants to ensure productive conversation. Staff proposed specific industry and organizational invitees including EDCO, Pacific Power (for energy input), OSU Cascades, Central Oregon Community College, East Cascade Works, Cascade East Transit, Visit Bend and COIC. Staff also proposed ensuring representation from minority-owned businesses.
Board members discussed the tension between a geography-based entrepreneur outreach (downtown/core area) and a broader sector- or target-sector-based approach. Staff said multiple channels — focus groups, stakeholder interviews and surveys — would be used so the process could capture city priorities while accommodating regional partners.
A motion was made and seconded to "approve the solicitation by Jonathan and Cyrus as presented by staff." A board member moved the motion; another board member seconded. The board chair called for a vote; members present responded "Aye." The chair declared the motion approved.
Why it matters: The approved solicitation will shape who is asked for input and therefore the priorities that emerge in the city’s economic development strategy. Staff expects to return to BDAB with synthesized findings and a recommended, board-endorsed framework to forward to City Council.
Staff asked for BDAB volunteers to assist with outreach and interview selection; several board members volunteered to help. Staff said they will circulate a draft list of suggested invitees and asked BDAB to provide timely feedback to meet facilitation and contracting timelines.
