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County to use state commerce grant to hire Retail Strategies for retail recruitment study
Summary
Franklin County staff said a Florida Commerce grant will cover up to 73% (up to $32,930) of a $45,000 Retail Strategies retail-recruitment contract; the board authorized executing award papers and a piggyback contract pending procurement confirmation from the City of Apopka.
Franklin County fiscal staff told commissioners on Jan. 7 they plan to use a Florida Department of Commerce grant to cover most of a $45,000 annual contract with Retail Strategies for retail recruitment and data services.
Erin Griffith said the grant will provide 73% of year-one costs up to $32,930, with the county responsible for the remaining $12,070 to come from an existing $20,000 economic-development line item. Mary Swoope, an economic development consultant who connected the county with Retail Strategies, noted that the firm has worked with other small Florida communities and provides retail leakage analysis and site-marketing outreach.
The board authorized the chairman to sign the Florida Commerce grant award agreement and to sign the Retail Strategies piggyback proposal contingent on confirmation of performance from the City of Apopka procurement contact. Griffith told the board she will present a full scope of work at the next meeting.
Retail Strategies’ services were described as including market data drawn from visit metrics and other sources to show where retail dollars are spending outside the community and to identify opportunities to attract new retailers or support existing businesses. The contract is structured as an annual $45,000 engagement with an option to renew at the same price should the county be satisfied with results.
