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Essex Junction posts RFP for economic‑development services; council asks for timeline and qualifications tweak
Summary
Staff described an RFP funded at $30,000 in FY27 to develop an economic development 'game plan.' Councilors asked for an earlier timeline and said economic‑development experience and a council representative on the selection committee should be emphasized.
Staff described an FY27 line item to fund an economic‑development planning consultant and presented a draft RFP intended to be open-ended so proposers can propose approaches.
"In the FY27 budget, we set aside $30,000 to really secure an economic development consultant to really help us," a staff member told the council, explaining the funding is intended to develop a game plan and potentially evaluate state designation options. Councilors raised two recurring concerns: adjust the procurement timeline so final work informs budget conversations (move completion earlier than December 2026) and make direct economic‑development experience a required qualification for bidders.
Councilors also suggested including at least one councilor on the selection committee and discussed whether $30,000 is sufficient; staff said the figure came from conversations with peers and is intended as a realistic starting point to solicit proposals. The RFP will be posted without a council vote and staff will return with any recommended edits as needed.
