Title
a. Authorize the County Contracts/Purchasing Officer or designee to execute an Agreement with the National Council for Community Development Inc. dba Grow America for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Year 3 Annual Update Standard Agreement for National Council for Community Development Inc. ‘Grow America’ to perform all tasks necessary to conduct an annual CEDS update for Monterey County, for the period of six (6) months, for the term of January 13, 2025 through June 30, 2025, in the amount not to exceed $75,000.
b. Approve and authorize the County Contracts/Purchasing Officer or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Authorize the County Contract/Purchasing Officer or the designee to execute an Agreement with the National Council for Community Development Inc. dba Grow America for the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Year 3 Annual Update Standard Agreement for National Council for Community Development Inc. ‘Grow America’ to perform all tasks necessary to conduct an annual CEDS update for Monterey County, for the period of six (6) months, for the term of January 13, 2025 through June 30, 2025, in the amount not to exceed $75,000.
b. Approve and authorize the County Contracts/Purchasing Officer or designee to execute up to three (3) future amendments to this Agreement where the amendments do not significantly alter the scope of work.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
In June 2021, The County of Monterey contracted with National Development Council (Grow America Inc.) to update the five (5) year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) acceptance. The update engaged many new stakeholders to an economic development strategy but was limited in developing more detailed strategies and projects. The CEDS was adopted by the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors and ratified by every jurisdiction in the County, a rare achievement. In establishing yearly updates, the County can engage stakeholders in further detailing those priority strategies and using the work for EDA funding applications as well as California economic development resources.
On October 25, 2022, The Board of Supervisors approved an agreement between the County and Grow America Inc. to perform all tasks necessary to conduct the first annual CEDS update for the County of Monterey.
Work on Year 2 Update began in January 2024. In collaboration with the County, Grow America and CVL Economics identified additional stakeholders to interview over the course of the project to gain broader insights into challenges, needs, and priorities across multiple economic dimensions. The County also convened two focus groups on topics warranting deeper discussion: Technology and Innovation, and Defense. These conversations helped refine the nature of the quantitative analysis and look to indicators that best reflected on-the-ground realities. The data analysis approach for the Year 2 Update was designed to be more targeted (as opposed to comprehensive) compared to the CEDS; rather than updating every chart, an emphasis was placed on identifying data points and trends that could most effectively and concisely capture the economic arc of Monterey County.
Work on the Year 3 Update is anticipated to begin in January of 2025. The County will be collaborating with Grow America and CVL Economics to complete the Year 3 CEDS Annual Update. The theme of the Year 3 Update will center on the changing nature of the agriculture sector. Although agriculture remains the County’s strongest and most reliable growth engine, understanding current ecosystem conditions (beyond employment, wages, and economic impact) in greater detail will provide insights into improving the sector’s competitiveness and maintaining its viability in the face of increasing headwinds. The Year 3 Update will also feature a Spotlight on the implications of climate change (and associated mitigation/adaptation strategies) for economic development planning. In addition to highlighting current initiatives, this section will build upon last year’s report with respect to development opportunities in the “sustainability economy.” Outreach will include the facilitation of one focus group with agriculture stakeholders.
The CEDS Annual Update Agreement/Scope of Services provide the detailed services, programs, and performance measures.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of County Counsel has approved the agreement as to form.
FINANCING:
Funds for the cumulative amount of $75,000, has been included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, Fund 001, Department 1050, Unit 8514.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) update will provide economic opportunities that support the Board approved strategic initiatives.
X Economic Development
__Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
__ Public Safety
Prepared by: Isela Sandoval, Management Analyst II, ext. 7214
Reviewed by: Richard Vaughn, Economic Development Manager, ext. 5602
Approved by: Deborah Paolinelli, Assistant County Administrative Officer, ext. 5309
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Standard Agreement
Exhibit A