Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Marketing & Communications Advisory Services: This scope is for firms that have a track record of providing marketing, communications, market research, advertising campaigns, social media management journaling, and branding positioning strategy for both place-based efforts and institutions/companies. The Agency is seeking consultants with experience working in real estate, economic development, or other adjacent fields. Ultimately, we are searching for experts with skills in brand strategy and communications, creative and design services, social media strategy and its analytics, content production, and storytelling including videography, animation, and photography to communicate to a variety and diverse set of stakeholders. Professionals who are adept in multilingual communication are a plus. 2. Specialty Retail and Food Sector Strategy: The Division seeks experts possessing specialized knowledge and experience in the food industry, sustainability practices, and incubator programs that can provide strategic guidance and innovative solutions to enhance our programs and contribute to the Agency’s mission. Moreover, expertise in addressing environmental issues within the food industry is essential. We seek consultants who are also equipped to develop sustainable practices and promote ecofriendly initiatives for small businesses. The Division’s audience is mostly small and mid-sized restaurants and other food-based businesses. The consultant will also provide specialized brokerage services for commercial properties as necessary. Future deliverables may include a strategy for restaurant industry outreach, private pre-audit services, business incubator services, e-commerce, strategic financial & business planning, marketing & planning, and concept development to enhance operational efficiencies. 3. Economic Development Capacity Building: This work consists of strategic planning, partnership building, and performing necessary research and market analysis to help stakeholder groups determine the next steps in their approach to economic development. This includes significant hands-on work and relationship building to complement tasks that help better understand the ecosystems and working relationships that impact community-driven work in urban neighborhoods. This may also include familiarity with industry clusters and sector-specific economic development, including fashion and textiles, food industry, ocean-based industries (the “blue economy”), and small-scale manufacturing. Additionally, this work may incorporate the implementation of small-scale projects to “test” a partnership’s capacity.