FINAL USRC CEDS RFP - Oct 31.pdf

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC)

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Consultant Services

I. INTRODUCTION

The Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) seeks proposals from qualified consulting firms to develop a five year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) that will serve as a strategy-driven roadmap for regional economic development initiatives across Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties in Maryland. The consultant will facilitate a process that engages local governments, businesses, educational institutions, and community stakeholders to define priorities and actionable strategies for economic growth.

Although this project is not funded by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), the final document must meet the requirements of an EDA-funded CEDS, ensuring that USRC and its partners remain competitive for federal funding opportunities.

II. OVERVIEW OF UPPER SHORE REGIONAL COUNCIL (USRC)

The Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) is a regional planning and development organization that serves Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties in Maryland. Established to foster regional collaboration, USRC provides support for economic and workforce development, infrastructure planning, and strategic growth initiatives. It acts as a convener of stakeholders, ensuring that public and private sector entities work together to strengthen the local economy and improve the quality of life in the region.

More information about Upper Shore Regional Council can be found here and here.

III. BACKGROUND - REGIONAL ECONOMIC LANDSCAPE

A well-researched and strategically developed Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) has the potential to transform economic growth in the Upper Shore region. By providing a clear, data-driven roadmap, this plan will help local governments, businesses, and community stakeholders coordinate their efforts, leverage resources effectively, and drive meaningful investment. A strong regional economic strategy enhances job creation, workforce development, and business attraction while ensuring sustainable, long-term prosperity for Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s Counties.

The Upper Shore region is comprised of three distinct counties with a mix of rural, suburban, and economic corridor communities:

• Cecil County: Situated along the I-95 corridor, Cecil County has a strong industrial and logistics sector, benefiting from its strategic location between Baltimore and Philadelphia.

The county also has a growing life sciences and manufacturing presence.

https://usrcmd.org/ https://usrcmd.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/USRC-21-23-Impact-Report-web-FINAL-Digital.pdf

• Kent County: As one of Maryland’s most rural counties, Kent County relies heavily on agriculture, tourism, manufacturing and maritime industries. Washington College is a major economic driver, contributing to education and workforce development.

• Queen Anne’s County: As the gateway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Queen Anne’s County has a diverse economic base, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and small professional services. Its proximity to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge makes it attractive for business expansion and commuter-based growth.

Infrastructure constraints, workforce needs, and regional coordination are key factors that must be addressed to foster sustainable economic expansion. Additionally, with an increasing emphasis on directing growth to municipalities and strengthening regional collaboration, the Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) recognizes the need for a fresh, asset-based approach to economic development that builds on local strengths and opportunities.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) will provide a unified vision for economic growth in the region, integrating industry research, workforce analysis, and infrastructure planning to support business attraction and retention. This strategy will serve as a guiding document for public and private sector leaders, ensuring that efforts align with regional economic priorities while maintaining the unique character of each county.

The selected consultant will work closely with stakeholders across the three counties to conduct in-depth research, facilitate public engagement, and develop a practical, forward-thinking economic strategy that positions the Upper Shore region for sustainable growth and resilience. By leveraging data-driven insights and regional partnerships, this plan will help direct resources effectively and establish a clear roadmap for achieving long-term economic prosperity.

IV. SCOPE OF WORK

The selected consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks:

1. Review and Analysis of Existing Reports & Data o Conduct a situational assessment that synthesizes existing economic development plans and reports from the three counties.

o Update demographic, economic, and industry analyses using the most current data.

o Identify key regional trends, challenges, and opportunities.

2. Stakeholder Engagement & Public Outreach o Conduct a series of public meetings, interviews, and surveys with economic development leaders, industry representatives, and community stakeholders.

o Develop outreach materials to ensure diverse representation from all three counties.

o Provide monthly progress updates to the USRC consultant overseeing the project.

3. SWOT Analysis & Economic Resilience Strategy o Conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.

o Address economic resilience, considering vulnerabilities to economic downturns and external shocks.

4. Strategic Direction & Action Plan o Develop a vision and mission statement for regional economic development.

o Identify key industries and workforce needs, with a focus on infrastructure planning.

o Create an actionable strategy with specific, prioritized initiatives.

o Ensure alignment with EDA CEDS requirements.

5. Evaluation Framework & Implementation Strategy o Establish performance metrics and an implementation roadmap.

o Define roles and responsibilities for local governments, business organizations, and other stakeholders.

o Outline funding strategies to support long-term economic growth.

V. CONSULTANT QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified firms must demonstrate expertise in:

• Regional economic development and strategy development.

• Prior CEDS creation and successful EDA grant-funded projects.

• Industry and workforce research.

• Infrastructure and land-use planning.

• Public engagement and stakeholder facilitation.

• Development of evaluation frameworks and key performance indicators.

Proposals should include examples of prior work on CEDS or similar projects and a list of relevant clients and references.

VI. PROPOSAL SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

All proposals must include:

1. Cover Letter summarizing interest and qualifications.

2. Project Approach & Methodology outlining how the firm will execute the scope of work.

o Proposals that present innovative, tailored approaches beyond the standard strategy will be evaluated more favorably.

o The consultant must demonstrate creative solutions for economic development that consider regional strengths and challenges.

3. Proposed Timeline (maximum project duration: 12 months).

4. Experience & References, including case studies of similar projects.

5. Resumes of Key Personnel who will be assigned to this project.

VII. SELECTION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Project Understanding & Approach - Preference will be given to firms that present a unique and forward-thinking strategy.

• Relevant Experience & Qualifications

• Stakeholder Engagement Strategy

• Timeline & Ability to Meet Deadlines

• Budget & Cost Effectiveness

VIII. TIMELINE

• RFP Release Date: November 3, 2025

• Questions Due: November 18, 2025

• Proposal Submission Deadline: January 12, 2026

• Consultant Selection: March 2, 2026

• Project Start Date: May 1, 2026

• Project Completion: May 1, 2027

IX. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Proposals must be submitted electronically in one document in PDF format to:

Janice Palmer JPalmer@kentgov.org

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

USRC reserves the right to reject any or all proposals or negotiate contract terms with the selected firm.

For additional information, please contact [Janice Palmer] at jpalmer@kentgov.org, or [Jenn Cooper] at jcooper1818@yahoo.com