Project Overview: Volusia County is seeking a qualified vendor to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for the ECHO (Environmental, Cultural, Historical, and Outdoor) program. The plan will guide the program's future growth, funding allocations, and project development through 2040, ensuring its continued effectiveness in enhancing the quality of life for county residents. The ECHO program provides grant funding to support environmental, cultural, historical, and recreational projects across Volusia County. Since its inception in 2000 and renewal in 2020, the program has funded numerous initiatives that have preserved natural and cultural resources while creating meaningful recreational opportunities. This strategic plan will help evaluate the program’s achievements, address future community needs, and refine the processes for effective program delivery. Objectives: • Assess current ECHO-funded assets and identify gaps in amenities. • Engage community stakeholders and collaborate with key partners to gather input on future project priorities. o This would include focus groups, online surveys, workshops and/or forums • Develop a long-term vision and strategic roadmap for the program through 2040. Tasks: A. Analysis of Current ECHO Assets/Grant Process o Review and assess the inventory of existing ECHO-funded projects to determine their effectiveness, usage, and any gaps in service or amenities. o Review current grant process and gather feedback from stakeholders on process improvements. o Identify areas within the county that may be underserved in terms of environmental, cultural, historical, and recreational projects. o Deliverable: A comprehensive analysis report on the state of current ECHO assets and processes, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and gaps. B. Future Project Identification o Collaborate with key stakeholders, including municipalities, nonprofit organizations, and community groups, through focus groups and workshops to identify and prioritize future project needs. o Facilitate discussions to understand regional variations in needs and ensure broad geographic distribution of future ECHO projects. o Deliverable: A prioritized list of potential future projects based on community input and stakeholder feedback.
