LEGAL NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that competitive sealed proposals, pursuant to O.R.C. 307.862, and marked as “GEAUGA COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT-Attn: Christine Blair, Clerk " will be received during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday or by mail until 1:45 p.m., Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 in the Geauga County Board of Commissioners Office at 470 Center Street, Building #4, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Proposals received shall be publicly opened and read aloud the same day at said office at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 20th, 2019, for providing the necessary services to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and long term vision for economic development in Geauga County, hereafter referred to as The Plan. Please note, the development of The Plan is to be done in conjunction with the updating of the County's Comprehensive General Plan by the Planning Director of the Geauga County Planning Commission.

The County is interested in gaining a broader perspective on the challenges facing the businesses operating within the geographical boundaries of Geauga County, a vision for Geauga County Department of Development's role within the local economic development landscape, and suggestions for new activities and programs the County could implement in order to help solve the region's economic development-related challenges.

The Plan should include, and not be limited to, strategies and activities for the retention of our existing business and strategies and activities for the attraction of new business to Geauga County. The Plan should also include specific analysis of current businesses, current economic conditions and trends in Geauga County, competition for new businesses, workforce analysis, and an analysis of the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats to the business environment here. Finally, The Plan should also include specific action items for achieving the realistic goals set-forth in The Plan (Action Plan).

The Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following categories:

• Mission Statement
• Executive Summary
• Goals
• Strategies, Tactics, and Marketing Plan
• Economic Analysis
• Workforce Analysis
• SWOT Analysis
• Action Plan

Respondents to this Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals (RFP) will represent a firm, company, team or individual possessing experience and expertise in working with local government officials and the public to solicit input on public programs, conducting evaluations of economic conditions, economic development activities and programs, identifying innovative solutions to complex public policy challenges and composing forward looking strategic planning documents for counties and/or regions.

This RFP with the Project Scope, Scope of Requested Services, Experienced Requested, Selection Criteria, and Terms and Conditions is available online at http://co.geauga.oh.us/Notices/Request for Competitive Sealed Proposals/Strategic Plan or can be picked-up from the Geauga County Department of Development, located at 470 Center St., Bldg. 8A, Chardon, OH 44024, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm. Interested persons and firms may contact the Department of Development at (440) 279-1790 or via electronic mail at Dfavorite@co.geauga.oh.us.

The successful proposer is required to furnish a bond for the faithful performance of the contract in a sum of not less than One Hundred Percent (100%) of the total proposal price for the complete work, said bond to be that of an approved surety company authorized to transact business in the State of Ohio substantially meeting the requirements of the O.R.C. Section 153.57

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the County's Internet site in the World Wide Web. Go to http://www.co.geauga.oh.us/Bids.aspx and click on the project name to view the notice.

Geauga County reserves the right to reject any and all Proposals or any part thereof, and to waive any formalities and/or irregularities in the proposals. The County's decision on any award is final. Each proposer must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of national origin, creed, color, or gender.

By Order of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners

Christine Blair, Commissioners' Clerk

PUBLISH: JANUARY 31, 2019 and FEBRUARY 7, 2019