HomeMy WebLinkAbout185960 DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PARNTERS - CONTRACT - RFP - P1008 INDUSTRY ANALYSIS AND CLUSTERPROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT made and entered into the day and year set forth below, by and
between THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO, a Municipal Corporation, hereinafter
referred to as the "City" and Development Research Partners, Inc., hereinafter referred to as
"Professional".
WITNESSETH:
In consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations herein expressed, it is agreed
by and between the parties hereto as follows:
1. Scope of Services. The Professional agrees to provide services in accordance
with the scope of services attached hereto as Exhibit "A", consisting of five (5) pages, and
incorporated herein by this reference.
2. The Work Schedule. The services to be performed pursuant to this Agreement
shall be performed in accordance with the Work Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit "B",
consisting of one (1) page, and incorporated herein by this reference.
3. Time of Commencement and Completion of Services. The services to be
performed pursuant to this Agreement shall be initiated upon execution of this Agreement.
Services shall be completed no later than September 15, 2006. Time is of the essence. Any
extensions of the time limit set forth' above must be agreed upon in writing by the parties hereto.
4. Early Termination by City. Notwithstanding the time periods contained herein,
the City may terminate this Agreement at any time without cause by providing written notice of
termination to the Professional. Such notice shall be delivered at least fifteen (15) days prior to
the termination date contained in said notice unless otherwise agreed in writing by the parties.
All notices provided under this Agreement shall be effective when mailed, postage prepaid and
sent to the following addresses:
o Marketing and public relations
o Land use or preservation of commercial corridors
o Development process, Regulatory and incentive policy
o Workforce development and education
o Infrastructure development
o Entrepreneurial development (economic gardening)
o Neighborhood revitalization or targeted area development
• Prioritize - Evaluate and prioritize the menu options based on:
o fit with Fort Collins' goals, core values and competitive position
o effectiveness (based on empirical data)
o human and financial capital required to implement
o compatibility/synergy with other economic development efforts
• Tracking Performance - Organize the proposed strategies into short- and long-term
implementation plan, and develop measurable performance indicators.
Needed from Fort Collins Staff:
• Previous strategic documents pertaining to their E.D. efforts over the past 5-6 years
• Documentation from EVSAG that would provide context/background on that particular
group's work
• Anticipated budget figures for City economic development expenditures (at least a range, so
we will have an idea about what they can afford programmatically)
• Access to land use or comprehensive planning maps/documents as needed
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Professional report detailing above information.
Final Reporting Tasks
Needed from Fort Collins Staff.
• Review and comment on all final documents.
• Scheduling of Council study session, Council hearing
• PowerPoint presentation of final study findings, if appropriate
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Meeting with EVSAG (7/27/2006): deliver all preliminary findings, gather final feedback.
• Council Study Session (7/25/2006): deliver all preliminary findings, gather final feedback.
• Council Hearing (8/15/2006): Final delivery of all documents; project closure.
• Professional report detailing the process and findings, delivered in electronic format.
Reproduction and dissemination of the final report will be the responsibility of the City of Fort
Collins.
EXHIBIT `tBSf
COMPLETION SCHEDULE
The DRP team proposes to begin the assignment the week of April 3, 2006. The attached
timeline represents our estimate of the completion schedule, recognizing that various project
components such as data availability and meeting scheduling require some flexibility.
In summary, the total project is estimated to take about five (5) months. The final documents will
generally be completed about two weeks after receiving Client comments on draft reports,
depending upon the extent of any requested revisions.
Nhek Numbar. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6 4 10
WNk B=".g With: 04100/2006 0V10l2006 OU17Y2006 04*412006 05f01/2006 0"11/2006 0511=006 05122t2006 0&262006 04106I2006
I
Task 1: Identify Clusters ti & %
'Deliverable_ Memo Summary a
Task 2: Cluster Rankings
Deliverable_ Draft Ranking'cxeresse for FC
staff to distractive
Deliverable_ Memo Summary Is
Meeting. ECOLT (April 20. 2006) e
Meeting: EVSAG (April 27. 2006)
Milestone'. Cluster Selection
Task 3: Industry Cluster Profile Report r ap
Deliverable . Professional Repor�-
Task 4: Locatlonal Advantages d
disadvantages
Deliverable. Draft letter for FC staff to
distribute to focus group attendees
Milestone. Focus Groups Established
MeetingsFocus Groups I - 4
Deliverable: Memo Summary
Task 5: Recommended Action Items
Deliverable[ Professional Repor
tlnal ReP9Rhig Tasks
Meeting'. Council Sody Session (07.25.4}6,;
Meiling'. EVSAG (07f27r06)
Milestone: All documents de5vered to FC Staff
for final review
Report Comment Fe•,oc
Preparation of Final Reports
Meeting: Council Hearing (08115✓2006)
Milestone: Project Completon
Week Number 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 15 19 20 21
Week Beglnnlna Wllh:/1611212006 OWlW2006 0&26(2006 07103I2008 07110120M 07117I2008 OPIM2006 Oi13112006 08Po7/2008 08114l1000 08I21/2006
Task 1: Identify Clusters
Deliverable: Memo Summan
Task 2: Cluster Rankings
Deliverable: Draft Ranking Exercise for FC
staff to distribute
Deliverable: Memo Summap
Meeting: ECOLT (Aprl 20. 20M)
Meeting: EVSAG (April 27. 2006)
Milestone: Cluster Selection
Task 3: Industry Cluster Profile Report' -
Deliverable: Professional Repor - -- a
Task 4: Locations[ Advantages 5 —'
Disadvantages
Deliverable: Draft letter for FC staff to
distribute to focus group attendees
Milestone: Focus Groups Established
Meetings: Focus Groups 1 - 4
Deliverable: Klein. Summary is
Task 5: Recommended Action Items Resamch4 OM0 FCWJ dohj
Deliverable. Professional Repor
Final Reporting Tasks
Meeting: Council Study Session (07!25I06)
Meeting: EVSAG i07i27;061
Milestone: Al documents delivered to FC Staff
for final review
Report Comment Period
Preparation of Final Reports
Meeting: Council Hearing (080512006)
Milestone: Project Completion
EXHIBIT "C"
FEE SCHEDULE
The project as described in this document will be completed for an estimated total fee of
$60,000, based on the analysis of four industry clusters. The component prices of the
project are as follows:
Task 1: Identify Clusters
$3,750.00
Task 2: Cluster Rankings
$6,000.00
Task 3: Industry Cluster Report
$18,000.00
Task 4: Locational Advantages & Disadvantages
$15,500.00
Task 5: Recommended Action Items
$8,750.00
Final Reporting Tasks
$8,000.00
TOTAL
$60,000.00
Additional research and assistance above and beyond the Scope of Work identified herein may
be negotiated at any point during the course of this project. Any additions or deletions to the
Scope of Work will be documented via a change order and will generally result in an adjustment
in the fee quoted above. The DRIP team provides professional research and consulting services
at a rate of $125.00 per hour.
COLORADO CASUALTY INSURANCE CO
10700 E. GEDDES AVE. SUITE 300
ENGLEWOOD, OO 80112
RENEWAL DECLARATION
DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PARTNERS
10184 W. BELLEVIEW AVE., #100
LITTLETON CO 80127-1762
BP 0537570 04 112.00
not
/01/06
RENEWAL OF BP 0537570
BROWN/RAYNOR CORPORATION 0514701
5575 DTC PARKWAY #330
ENGLEWOOD CO 80111
3037712509
f Type of I FORMS APPLICABLE ❑ STANDARD [ESPECIAL
I
ram
oOFFICEE
In return for the payment of the premium, and subject to all the terms of this policy, we agree with you to provide the
Insurance as stated below In the policy.
Described Premises:
See attached schedule
Business Description:
See attached schedule
PROPERTY COVERAGE LIMITS OF INSURANCE:
Buildings
See attached schedule
Business Personal Property
See attached schedule
Deductible
See attached schedule
Mandatory $500 deductible on: Burglary and Robbery; Employee Dishonesty; Outdoor Signs; Tenants
Exterior Building Glass; Interior Glass; Money and Securities; Spoilage; Condominium Loss Assessment
Lose of Income
See attached schedule
Optional Coverages See attached schedule
LIABILITY AND MEDICAL PAYMENTS:
Except for Fire Legal Liability, each paid claim for the following coverage reduces the amount of insurance we provide
during the applicable annual period. Please refer to paragraph DA of the Businessowners Liability Coverage Form.
Limits of Insurance
BUSINESS LIABILITY 1, oco, 000 per ocourrenoe
MEDICAL PAYMENTS 5,000 sachpemon
FIRE LEGAL LIABILITY 5o, 000 per 000urrenos
TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE ACT OF 2002 INCLUDED
1.00
NO PREMIUM CHARGE IF BLANK
TOTAL POLICY PREMIUM $ 500.00
This declaration, together with the coverage form(s), common policy conditions and forms, and endorsements, If any, issued to
form a part thereof, complete the above number polloy.
Countersigned this Day of ,
Issued Date: 04/27/2005 Autho# Rep sentatsve
eorDEci 01 V INSURED Page 1 of 3
GEDDES AVE. SUITE 300
Co e0112
RENEWAL DECLARATION
DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PARTNERS
10184 W. BELLEVIEW AVE., #100
LITTLETON CO 80127-1762
Policy Number From Play Period To
BP 0537570 04' 06/01105 06/0
BROWNIRAYNOR CORPORATION
5575 DTC PARKWAY #330
ENGLEWOOD CO 80111
Telephone: 3037712509
LooNo.: 11Bldg. No.: 1110184 W. BELLEVIEW AVE., #100 LITTLETON
Mae. Non -Combust. I F 1 004 1 04 1 0 1 0
OFFICE
n
0514701
L
CO 80127-17
PROPERTY COVERAGE LIMITS OF INSURANCE:
BUILDINGS
$
Actual Cash Value - Buildings Option (YIN)
Automatic Increase - Building Limit (%)
Deductible
Wind or Hail Deductible (%)
BUSINESS PERSONAL PROPERTY
$ 15,000
Deductible
$ 500
Loss of Income
Actual Business Loss Sustained Not Exceeding 12 Months
OPTIONAL COVERAGES- Applicable only if an "X" is shown in the boxes below:
COVERAGE
LIMITS OF INSURANCE
❑x
Accounts Receivable
$5,000
Additional Accounts Receivable
Q
Valuable Papirs
$5,000
Additional Valuable Papers
0
Exterior Building Glass
INCLUDED
❑
Tenants Exterior Building Glass
❑
Interior Glass
A. Basement/Ground Floor Level
B. All Floors
®
Increased Cost of Construction
$5,000
❑x
Forgery or Alteration
02,500
Additional Forgery or Alteration
❑
Outdoor Signs
❑
Burglary or Robbery (Standard Form Only)
❑
Money and Securities
Inside
Outside
❑
Employee Dishonesty
❑
Mechanical Breakdown
❑
Swimming Pool
❑
Fire Legal - Additional Fire Legal
❑
Playground/Amusement Area
Q
Earthquake
Earthquake Deductible
%
ssued Date: 04/27/2005 INSURED
CPDEa 01 W Page 2 of 3
JnA1Jv 1%jWI f.v4. vv
GEDDES AVE. SUITE 300 ky.iw
um
000,0080112 IBP 0537570 04
RENEWAL DECLARATION
DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH PARTNERS BROWN/RAYNOR CORPORATION
10184 W. BELLEVIEW AVE., #100 5575 DTC PARKWAY #330
LITTLETON CO 80127-1762 1 ENGLEWOOD CO 80111
06/01/06
0514701
Ieiepnone: 3037712509
The described location is located at the above insured mailing address unless otherwise stated below:
LocNo.: 1 Bldg. No.: 1 10184 W. BELLEVIEW AVE., #100 LITTLETON CO 80127-17
Constriction Type Sprinkler Teffkory I ProL Class I Rate No. I Rate Group
Mae. Non -Combust. I F 1 004 04 O O OFFICE
OPTIONAL COVERAGES (continued):
Equipment Breakdown
Enhancement
Hired Autos
Non -Owned Autos
TERRORISM RISK INSURANCE ACT
Forms and Endorsements applicable tD this location
BP0523 (11/02) MLSOCCB2
(09/04) BP0006
(01/97) BP0009
(01/97) IL0003
(04/98)
IL0169 (04/98) IL0228
(04/98) CC1034
(05/98) BP1004
(04/98) BP1005
(04/98)
SP0417 (01/96) BP0577
(11/02) BP0511
(07/02) BP0513
(07/02) BP0002
(12/99)
CC1013 (01/97) EP0404
(01/96) BP60CC
(09/01) BP0430
(01/96)
Issued Date: 04/27/2005
Page 3 Of 3
May 18, 2005
INSURANCE SUMMARY
Development Research Partners
Colorado Casualty Insurance Co
Policy Period: 6/1/2005 to 6/l/6
I. PROPERTY 10184 W. Belleview Ave. #100
Littleton, CO 80127
$ 15,000 Business Contents
Actual Loss Business Expense/Extra Expense - 12 Months
5,000 Valuable Papers
5,000 Accounts Receivable
5,000 Increased Cost of Construction
2,500 Forgery or Alteration
Included Exterior Building Glass
All Risk subject to policy exclusions/limitations, Replacement Cost Coverage,
$500 deductible.
II. GENERAL LIABILITY LIMITS
$ 1,000,000 Per Occurrence
2,000,000 Annual Aggregate
1,000,000 Products and Completed Operations Aggregate
1,000,000 Personal and Advertising Injury
50,000 Fire Damage Legal Liability
5.000 Medical Payments Per Person
BJaOWN/RAYNOR
1,000,000 Non -Owned Auto/Hired Auto
III. PREMIUM
$ 500.00 Property and Liability
$ 500.00 TOTAL PREMIUM
NOTE: Because space does not permit a detailed summary, we have only set forth some of
the highlights of your policies. We urge you to refer to the actual policies for the
details of coverages, terms, conditions, exclusions, limitations, and other
information desired.
Professional: City: With Copy to:
Development Research Partners, Inc. City of Fort Collins City of Fort Collins
Attn: Patricia Silverstein Attn: Purchasing Attn: Timothy Wilder
10184 W. Belleview Ave Ste 100 PO Box 580 281 N. College Ave.
Littleton, CO 80127 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Fort Collins, CO 80524
In the event of any such early termination by the City, the Professional shall be paid for services
rendered prior to the date of termination, subject only to the satisfactory performance of the
Professional's obligations under this Agreement. Such payment shall be the Professional's sole
right and remedy for such termination.
5. Design, Project Indemnity and Insurance Responsibility. The Professional shall
be responsible for the professional quality, technical accuracy, timely completion and the
coordination of all services rendered by the Professional, including but not limited to designs,
plans, reports, specifications, and drawings and shall, without additional compensation,
promptly remedy and correct any errors, omissions, or other deficiencies. The Professional
shall indemnify, save and hold harmless the City, its officers and employees in accordance with
Colorado law, from all damages whatsoever claimed by third parties against the City; and for the
City's costs and reasonable attorneys fees, arising directly or indirectly out of the Professional's
negligent performance of any of the services furnished under this Agreement. The Professional
shall maintain commercial general liability insurance in the amount of $500,000 combined single
limits, and errors and omissions insurance in the amount of N/A.
6. Compensation. In consideration of the services to be performed pursuant to
this Agreement, the City agrees to pay Professional on a time and reimbursable direct cost
basis according to the following schedule:
Hourly billing rates: $125 per hour
Reimbursable direct costs: as billed
with maximum compensation (for both Professional's time and reimbursable direct costs)
not to exceed Sixty Thousand Dollars ($60,000) in accordance with the fee schedule attached
hereto as Exhibit "C", consisting of one (1) page, and incorporated herein by this reference.
Monthly partial payments based upon the Professional's billings and itemized statements of
reimbursable direct costs are permissible. The amounts of all such partial payments shall be
based upon the Professional's City -verified progress in completing the services to be performed
pursuant hereto and upon the City's approval of the Professional's reimbursable direct costs.
Final payment shall be made following acceptance of the work by the City. Upon final payment,
all designs, plans, reports, specifications, drawings and other services rendered by the
Professional shall become the sole property of the City.
7. City Representative. The City will designate, prior to commencement of work, its
project representative who shall make, within the scope of his or her authority, all necessary and
proper decisions with reference to the project. All requests for contract interpretations, change
orders, and other clarification or instruction shall be directed to the City Representative.
8. Project Drawings. Upon conclusion of the project and before final payment, the
Professional shall provide the City with reproducible drawings of the project containing accurate
information on the project as constructed. Drawings shall be of archival, prepared on stable
mylar base material using a non -fading process to provide for long storage and high quality
reproduction. "CD" disc of the as -built drawings shall also be submitted to the owner in and
AutoCAD version no older then the established city standard.
9. Monthly Report. Commencing thirty (30) days after the date of execution of this
Agreement and every thirty (30) days thereafter, Professional is required to provide the City
Representative with a written report of the status of the work with respect to the Scope of
Services, Work Schedule, and other material information. Failure to provide any required
monthly report may, at the option of the City, suspend the processing of any partial payment
request.
10. Independent Contractor. The services to be performed by Professional are those
of an independent contractor and not of an employee of the City of Fort Collins. The City shall
not be responsible for withholding any portion of Professional's compensation hereunder for the
payment of FICA, Workers' Compensation, other taxes or benefits or for any other purpose.
11. Personal Services. It is understood that the City enters into this Agreement
based on the special abilities of the Professional and that this Agreement shall be considered as
an agreement for personal services. Accordingly, the Professional shall neither assign any
responsibilities nor delegate any duties arising under this Agreement without the prior written
consent of the City.
12. Acceptance Not Waiver. The City's approval of drawings, designs, plans,
specifications, reports, and incidental work or materials furnished hereunder shall not in any way
relieve the Professional of responsibility for the quality or technical accuracy of the work. The
City's approval or acceptance of, or payment for, any of the services shall not be construed to
operate as a waiver of any rights or benefits provided to the City under this Agreement.
13. Default. Each and every term and condition hereof shall be deemed to be a
material element of this Agreement. In the event either party should fail or refuse to perform
according to the terms of this agreement, such party may be declared in default.
14. Remedies. In the event a party has been declared in default, such defaulting
party shall be allowed a period of ten (10) days within which to cure said default. In the event
the default remains uncorrected, the party declaring default may elect to (a) terminate the
Agreement and seek damages; (b) treat the Agreement as continuing and require specific
performance; or (c) avail himself of any other remedy at law or equity. If the non -defaulting
party commences legal or equitable actions against the defaulting party, the defaulting party
shall be liable to the non -defaulting party for the non -defaulting party's reasonable attorney fees
and costs incurred because of the default.
15. Binding Effect. This writing, together with the exhibits hereto, constitutes the
entire agreement between the parties and shall be binding upon said parties, their officers,
employees, agents and assigns and shall inure to the benefit of the respective survivors, heirs,
personal representatives, successors and assigns of said parties.
16. Law/Severability. The laws of the State of Colorado shall govern the
construction, interpretation, execution and enforcement of this Agreement. In the event any
provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent
jurisdiction, such holding shall not invalidate or render unenforceable any other provision of this
Agreement.
THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS, COLORADO
By: r*�� q� ovvl� i�
Vurchasing
B. O'Neill II, CPPO, FNIGP
Director & Risk Management
AT ST: 4`�yOF.F�Rr0
O�
'w
City Clerk
APPR T FOR An
Ass Assis t Ci ttorney
Developme Research Partners Inc. l
By: GG�O c� vv
Title:
CORPORATE PRESIDENT OR VICE PRESIDENT
Date: AgL"/ � ;2-00(
EXHIBIT "A"
P1008 Industry Cluster Analysis and Targeting Study
SCOPE OF WORK
A major step in developing a region's economic development strategy focuses on what types of
industries to target for growth and retention. Industry targets may be chosen to meet varying
community goals ranging from diversifying the economic base to increasing the average wage
to utilizing natural and labor resources more fully. A community's economic development efforts
should focus on those industries in which the community has some clear competitive
advantages. Further, industries selected need to be acceptable economically, environmentally,
and socially to the community.
This proposed study is based on the concept of industry clusters. Industry clusters are
geographic concentrations of interconnected companies and institutions in a particular field.
These industry clusters drive wealth creation within a region, primarily through the export of
goods and services. An industry cluster may consist of industries that share the same or similar
workforce, factors of production or infrastructure. It may also be defined by the production of
similar outputs, complementary output or other interdependent relations. Ideally, clusters also
include the institutions and professional organizations that provide research assistance and
support to the industry.
The identification and description of industry clusters operating in Fort Collins, Colorado will be
accomplished through the completion of the following tasks.
Task 1: Identify Industry Clusters
The first step will be to identify industry clusters currently operating in Fort Collins. Development
Research Partners (DRP) uses a cluster methodology similar to that developed by Michael E.
Porter, Professor of Business Administration at the Harvard Business School. Employment
concentration (industry employment as a share of total employment) will be used to determine
industry cluster strength. We will be looking for a diverse mix of industries, including both
technology -based and "traditional" industries. In particular, this task will be accomplished
through the following research activities:
• Research Industry Classifications — DRP will examine the 2004 (2005, if available) annual
employment concentration of each 4-digit (or, in some cases, 6-digit) North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) code in Fort Collins. The employment concentration
in each industry will then be compared to the national employment concentration for the
industry to determine if Fort Collins has relative strength. Where concentration of an industry
is greater than the national economy, it is presumed that the production of goods and
services is more than sufficient to meet local demand, and is therefore exported — either
physically or financially. Where concentration of an industry is greater than the national
average, it is presumed that a high degree of specialization among firms exists, a
characteristic of competitive industry clusters.
• Aggregate Clusters - The NAICS industries with strong employment concentrations will be
aggregated, along with additional relevant industries, to define strong industry clusters in the
Fort Collins area. If appropriate, "subdusters" may also be developed. Each industry cluster
will be defined by a set of NAICS codes.
• Emerging Clusters— The quantitative data will be supplemented with discussions with area
stakeholders to identify emerging clusters, clusters which may not currently display strong
employment concentrations yet present new opportunities for Fort Collins.
Needed from Fort Collins Staff.•
• Fort Collins and Larimer County Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages (QCEW) Data,
2000-2005, six -digit NAICS.
• United States Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages (QCEW) Data, 2000-2005, six -
digit NAICS.
• Maps (street, land use) of Fort Collins.
• Relevant reports or industry studies published by NCEDC, the Fort Collins Chamber,
downtown development group or other organizations.
• Memo to EVSAG, other relevant groups to inform of project kick-off, Scope of Work
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Memo summary of potential clusters (total employment, employment growth rates,
employment concentration).
Task 2: Industry Cluster Ranking
Often, the list of potential industry clusters needs to be shortened for further analysis. If that is
the case in Fort Collins, an industry cluster ranking analysis exercise may be used as a guide
for narrowing the list. This process used by DRP is based on qualitative input as well as
quantitative measures. To begin the ranking analysis, various criteria are ranked according to its
importance to the economic development goals of the community. Based on the input received
from numerous business leaders, weights are assigned to varying economic development goals
such as projected long-term job growth rates, high employment multiplier impacts, large current
employment base, high average annual salary and the like.
Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, the industry clusters are ranked
according to each criterion and the appropriate number of clusters selected based on those that
best meet the community's goals. The selected clusters offer strong growth potential and/or a
high degree of employment concentration. While some industry clusters may exhibit strong
employment concentrations but slow or no employment growth in recent years, there is value in
recognizing large employment sectors for retention efforts.
How many industry clusters should be pursued as targets? The answer to this question
depends upon the community's priorities, resources, political will and the current level of
economic diversity. First, financial and personnel resources may limit the number of clusters
actively pursued. Second, the number of industry clusters pursued as targets may be dictated
by the level of involvement and support of industry business leaders.
Third, the current composition of the economic base needs to be considered. Economic
development goals may range from bolstering the employment base of one sector to increasing
employment in a number of sectors in order to enhance the diversity of the economic base.
These goals are not mutually exclusive; the desired outcome is to bring or maintain the balance
of the local economy. The decision of which industry clusters to actively pursue needs to
consider the community's goals for industry specialization and economic diversification.
We will work with the City of Fort Collins to target a maximum of four industry clusters initially.
The City may wish to conduct more comprehensive industry cluster analysis on the other
industry clusters identified at some later date.
Needed from Fort Collins Staff:
• Cluster Ranking Exercise and cover letter delivered to appropriate groups (City Council,
EVSAG, ECOLT, Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce, etc.).
• PowerPoint for use at EVSAG, ECOLT meetings summarizing cluster ranking data and
results, if appropriate.
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Cluster Ranking Exercise and cover memo to be delivered to appropriate business groups.
• Memo summary of the data used to rank the clusters in the Cluster Ranking Exercise.
• Memo summary of results of the cluster ranking exercise.
• Meeting with EVSAG (4/27/2006), ECOLT (4/20/2006): introduce project, discuss ranking
results, final cluster selection.
Task 3: Industry Cluster Profile Report
Clusters continually evolve as new companies and industries emerge or decline. They can
maintain competitive strength for decades or lose their competitive edge due to both external
and internal forces. Because industries ebb and flow in strength, it is important to examine
industry clusters historically to understand how to support and promote the cluster.
For each of the four targeted industry clusters identified in Tasks 1 and 2, a comprehensive set
of data will be prepared to describe and define the cluster. The following information will be
provided:
• Cluster Overview - A description of the industry cluster, including why this is an important
cluster to the future economic health of Fort Collins and a discussion of the growth potential
of the industry at the national, state and regional level.
• Economic Profile - An analysis of the concentration of the industry cluster, including such
items as the number of companies, a listing of key companies within this industry cluster
currently located in the region, the total employment, companies by employment size,
average salaries and growth trends. Employment trends for the period from 2000 to 2005
will be examined, data permitting.
• Business Advantages - A discussion of other locations in the U.S. that have strong
concentrations of this cluster and the identification of where Fort Collins currently ranks
relative to these other areas. This section will be supplemented with the locational
advantages and disadvantages information collected in the focus group section below.
Needed from Fort Collins Staff.
• Feedback on what areas of country Fort Collins often competes with in terms of job
expansion and recruitment.
• Submit draft report to EVSAG, ECOLT, other appropriate groups for their review, feedback.
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Professional report detailing above information for each industry cluster.
Task 4: Locational Advantages & Disadvantages
To determine if the data is painting an accurate picture of industry clusters in Fort Collins,
discussions with community leaders and business professionals will be used to validate the
cluster identification research. In particular, we are seeking input on the factors that tend to drive
the location decisions of companies within the industry cluster. Based on these factors that drive
the growth of the industry cluster, how well does Fort Collins compete?
Ideally, one focus group session with 8-10 participants within the same industry cluster will be
held. Therefore, the project will include four focus groups. The City's assistance in identifying
potential participants, contacting the participants and handling the logistics for each of the focus
groups is essential given the short time frame for this project.
Needed from Fort Collins Staff.•
• Distribute letter to potential focus group attendees.
• Secure 8-10 attendees for each industry focus group.
• Logistics for focus groups: room reserved, snacks/drinks for meeting.
• Appropriate staff to attend the focus groups.
Deliverables from DRP/R&M Team:
• Draft letter for focus groups.
• Conduct focus groups.
• Memo summary of focus group findings.
Task 5: Recommended Action Items
Targeting industries based on the idea of industry clusters provides focus to an economic
development program in four key areas. First, an understanding of existing industry strengths
helps to create an identifiable regional image and message, improving marketing programs.
Second, retention campaigns can be focused on protecting existing industries and resources.
Third, recruitment strategies can be focused on cluster companies and their suppliers or service
providers. Finally, cluster analysis may identify industries that the community does not currently
have a strong concentration in but also present unique, new opportunities for developing the
regional economy.
Our Development Research Partners / R&M Resource Development team will deliver to the City
of Fort Collins recommendations for cost-effective, actionable strategies that will propel the City
toward its goal of creating a sustainable economic environment for current and future
generations. Further, it is important to craft strategies that allow Fort Collins to leverage its
actions and integrate with similar efforts underway at the Northern Colorado Economic
Development Corp., Colorado State University, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.
and the State of Colorado. Our recommendations will include specific short-term (within 18
months) and long-term (19 months and beyond) action items. We will also propose objective
performance measures as a way to evaluate/ recognize success and demonstrate
accountability. Our process for developing recommendations will include the following:
• SWOT - Analyze the outcomes of cluster research, economic outlook data and
competitiveness. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
• Menu of Strategies - Develop a menu of traditional and non-traditional economic
development strategies that represent viable options for the targeted clusters and
competitive issues identified in our research. These may include, but are not limited to:
o Creation of industry cluster advisory boards