Specifications include, but are not limited to: The investment attraction specialist (Specialist) will perform the following tasks over the 12-month period: Meet with State government Departments and organizations outside of State government to understand, for each area of opportunity, what the investment attraction targets are – leading global industry players? Critical links in the supply chain? Other supporting infrastructure needed? [Please note that this engagement will likely continue through the course of the contract and will be done concurrently with other tasks.]. Engage with existing investment attraction leaders (e.g., Maine International Trade Center’s Invest in Maine program) to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that collaboration is achieved. Develop a robust funnel/pipeline of leads to actively pursue, marketing Maine’s assets directly to potential investors and companies. Participate in and advise on, but not be responsible for, development of investment attraction materials specific to the targets in question, based on the relationships developed and needs of the investors. Engage with target sectors/industries nationally and globally, where possible and based on existing COVID-19 travel/budgetary constraints; this engagement will likely include all forms of communication (e.g., phone, email, virtual meetings, in-person meetings conferences, when possible, and social media engagement) and be done on a daily/continuous basis. Note that travel costs are not included as part of this contract. Any travel needed will be approved by OBD and reimbursed to the specialist on a time and materials basis in accordance with the State of Maine’s travel policies and reimbursement rates. Provide regular reports to OBD and the Commissioner of Economic & Community Development on progress made and relationships nurtured. Secure speaking slots, panel spots, and other opportunities to present about Maine, when possible. If sponsorship funds are needed, those are not part of this contract and can be approved by OBD and directly paid by the Department. Hand off leads to the OBD team when the leads have evolved into promising opportunities/projects. Be flexible, if necessary, to pursue additional investment attraction opportunities that might arise at the direction of the Commissioner and OBD Director. Provide feedback to OBD’s Tax Incentive Policy Manager and to the Department’s Director of Economic Development Coordination to ensure that investment attraction activities are streamlined with the Department’s efforts to evaluate and improve existing investment attraction incentives and efforts for economic recovery and implementation of the 10-Year Economic Development Strategy. These tasks will be done under the supervision of, and with the approval of, the OBD Director. Please note that the Investment Attraction Specialist will need to have basic knowledge of the State incentive programs, but the OBD team and the Department will be responsible for ultimate deal-making and development of incentive packages. Similarly, the Investment Attraction Specialist is not expected to regularly engage in site selection activities. The resulting contract of this RFP does not include developing marketing materials, as these will be provided by OBD. OBD will also provide business cards to the Specialist, as well as any costs for conference registrations, subscriptions, and other necessary costs, once approved by OBD. The Department will provide the Specialist with office space in the Burton S. Cross Building in Augusta, ME as well as a laptop and cell phone, if needed.
