Economic Development Strategic Plan

The City of Forest Grove, Oregon (City) is soliciting proposals from qualified consulting firms or consultant teams to prepare a comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan (Plan) that will guide the City’s economic development efforts over the next 5–10 years.

Forest Grove is a growing community with a strong sense of identity, a diverse economy, and a commitment to thoughtful, inclusive growth. In 2025, the City completed its Forest Grove 2040 Vision, which articulates long-term community aspirations and includes specific goals and action items related to economic vitality, land use, housing, transportation, sustainability, and quality of life.

The City has an active Urban Renewal Agency, several properties ready for redevelopment, an active Chamber of Commerce, and an emerging Downtown Association. These assets offer significant opportunities for coordinated strategic economic development.

The selected consultant will be expected to incorporate and operationalize the Forest Grove 2040 Vision and its associated action items into a clear, implementable Economic Development Strategic Plan that aligns with City policies, reflects community values, and supports long-term prosperity. The Plan should also align with relevant state and regional economic development frameworks, including Business Oregon priorities.

Robust stakeholder and partner engagement will be essential throughout the planning process to ensure the Plan reflects partner's priorities, capabilities, and delivers actionable, broadly supported strategies.

The purpose of this project is to develop a strategic, actionable, and measurable Economic Development Strategic Plan that:

1. Aligns with and implements the Forest Grove 2040 Vision and relevant economic action items
2. Identifies priority economic sectors and opportunities
3. Supports local businesses, workforce development, and entrepreneurship
4. Encourages equitable, sustainable, and resilient economic growth
5. With community partner input, outlines economic development roles and responsibilities
6. Provides clear implementation strategies, roles, timelines, and performance measures
7. Serves as a practical decision-making and resource-allocation tool for the City, partners, and stakeholders
8. Provides a clear analysis of the creation of an Industrial Redevelopment Agency
9. Assess other economic development incentives such as opportunity zones, economic improvement districts (EID), Enterprise Zones, and strategic investment zones. With community partner input, assess current workforce development programs, and provide clear recommednations for collaboration.