Economic Development

Economic Opportunity Analysis, Roseburg, Oregon, 2011

City of Roseburg, Oregon

Marketek led a team of planners and economic developers in preparing an Economic Opportunity Analysis (EOA) designed to evaluate the need for additional industrial and commercial land within the Roseburg Urban Growth Boundary (UBG). The study included an assessment of economic and employment trends, target industries for recruitment and expansion, commercial and industrial land need and supply, and opportunities and challenges for new development.

Neighborhood Economic Development Strategy, Portland, Oregon, 2011

Portland Development Commission

Marketek led an in-depth planning process that resulted in the creation of a five-year strategy to provide Portland’s most under-served, highest-need neighborhoods with community and economic development strategies.  The project included 15 community focus groups, best practice case studies, identifying new implementation tools and resources, managing a citizens advisory committee, organizing an economic development summit and drafting the public/private strategy to guide City and neighborhood actions for budget decision making.  Marketek continues to advise the Portland Development Commission on implementation and capacity building.

Town of Windsor Economic Development Strategic Plan, Windsor, California, 2009 – 2010

Town of Windsor, California

Marketek’s economic development strategic plan focused on initiatives that build on Windsor’s existing competitive advantages while supporting innovative approaches to broadening the economic base. The Town has used plan tools for direct retail marketing, for defining the Economic Development organizational structure, for community promotion and marketing and to guide development. In Spring 2010, Marketek provided training and marketing assistance to Town staff. The plan and process were nominated for a U.S. Economic Development Administration Excellence in Economic Development Award in 2010.

Economic Opportunities Analysis, Estacada, Oregon, 2009

City of Estacada, Oregon

As part of a team of planners and economic developers, Marketek prepared a commercial and industrial Economic Opportunities Analysis (EOA) and developed implementation strategies and comprehensive plan/development code amendments for the City of Estacada. Tasks included project management, facilitating meetings of a local Advisory Committee, identifying industrial land opportunities, developing economic development goals and policies, and drafting a comprehensive plan and code amendments.

Economic Opportunities Analysis and Housing Needs Assessment

Coos Bay, Oregon

Marketek prepared an assessment of economic opportunities, housing, and buildable lands to update the economic development element of the City of Coos Bay’s Comprehensive Plan. Tasks included conducting an economic trend analysis and housing inventory, performing a Buildable Lands Inventory update, and working with the City to draft implementation policies.

Business Retention and Recruitment Strategy

Lakeport, California

The City of Lakeport, a community of 30,000 people in the north central California region, contracted with Marketek and Chabin Concepts to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the existing commercial base and to develop a detailed action plan to help retain and expand the current business base and attract new retailers to Lakeport. The process included multiple focus groups, business owner survey, town hall meetings, over three dozen in-store and telephone business interviews and extensive industry research. The team developed three guiding documents: Business Climate and Commercial Assessment, Retail Opportunity Analysis and the Business Retention, Promotion and Recruitment Action Plan.

Subsequent to this process, the community enhanced business promotions, organized and streamlined the business assistance and development process and created an ongoing problem-solving dialogue between the City and the business community.

Organization Capacity Building

Great plans and strategies need clear organizational direction and capacity to ensure that action results. Marketek is highly experienced in providing training and technical assistance to economic development organizations. Services range from workshops on Roles & Responsibilities and Measuring Results to Business Recruitment and Conducting/Managing Business Outreach.

Canby Downtown Market Study

City of Canby, Oregon

Following completion of the downtown market study, Marketek provided ongoing training and coaching for strong implementation. Training topics included: Organizing Your Business Development Team and Conducting a Retail Marketing Campaign for Restaurants, Apparel, and Specialty Retail, Canby, Oregon

Lents Town Center Business Development Action Plan

City of Portland, Oregon

Building upon the completion of the Lents Town Center Market Study and Concept Plan, Marketek worked with the Portland Development Commission to organize targeted business development efforts and create a system for successful neighborhood business development.  Marketek is preparing marketing collateral and helping train a local citizen advisory committee to assist with prospecting.

Chico Downtown Action Plan

City of Chico, California

To facilitate implementation of the study’s recommendations, Marketek developed a clear, 12-step action plan for the next six months. Key elements included community marketing, business vitality, product packaging, customer attraction and internal organization. At the project’s conclusion, Mary Bosch conducted three interactive workshops for existing business owners to present key opportunities for retail growth. Based on the success of the Retail Market Analysis, the Chico Downtown Business Association asked Marketek to assist with internal organization and capacity building as they move forward with implementation.