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Orange County seeks stakeholder input on updated economic development and tourism plan; consultant priced at $12,900
Summary
County staff proposed an update to the 2020 economic development strategic plan with four stakeholder groups, one-on-one interviews and in-house data work; Platinum PR was recommended as the consultant at a $12,900 cost and the board scheduled a work session to provide direction before wider stakeholder outreach.
Orange County staff asked the Board of Supervisors to approve a stakeholder-driven update to the county's economic development and tourism strategic plan.
Dean Perry, presenting for the economic development office, said the revision will build on the 2020 plan's four pillars — business attraction and retention, workforce development, small business and entrepreneurship, and quality of life — and rely on community stakeholder sessions, one-on-one interviews and in-house research.
"We are recommending that you approve 4 different stakeholder groups... developers, major employers, workforce development partners, and small business and tourism stakeholders," Perry said. He said the consultant Platinum PR (which prepared the original plan) submitted the most competitive quote at $12,900 and has local experience. Staff proposed draft completion by the end of the calendar year and a more final plan in early 2026.
Board members debated whether to hold board-only work sessions before initiating focus groups. Several supervisors favored a full-board work session to give direction; the board discussed holding a work session on Sept. 9 and separating it from a planned Brownfields meeting to avoid distraction. Supervisors also encouraged using recent regional planning work as background to avoid duplication of effort.
Perry said staff can hold small-group stakeholder sessions beginning mid-September and will return to the board with a work-session summary and proposed next steps.
