Economic Analysis and CEDS Project

The Port of Bellingham (Port) is soliciting proposals from qualified consultants to provide economic analysis, planning, and management services in support of the Whatcom County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Contract Documents are available on the Port of Bellinghams's website athttps://www.portofbellingham.com/bids.aspx.The selected consultant will manage implementation, evaluation, community engagement, data coordination, and planning for the transition from the current 2022– 2026 CEDS to the 2027–2031 CEDS. The consultant will also provide economic analysis support and collaborate with Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) on various Port initiatives.This contract will cover the period January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026, with the possibility of extension depending on funding availability and performance.The scope of work criteria should therefore include but is not limited to:1. Manage the CEDS 2022-2026 Implementation and Evaluation. This may include but is not limited to:a. Attending and running monthly Team Whatcom meetingsb. Engaging Team Whatcom and the CEDS Review Committee regarding CEDS deliverables, preparing presentations on CEDS deliverables and progress.c. Creating a CEDS annual report that details progress and changes.d. Working with jurisdictions within Whatcom County to evaluate progress on CEDS Goals and update the CEDS Project List for 2026.2. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Update. This task may include but is not limited to:a. Preparing for, hosting, and running regular CEDS Review Committee meeting for the 2027-2031 update.b. Coordinating with County, Cities, and Tribes to align the CEDS update with other existing and relevant strategies, plans, and reports.c. Executing the community engagement plan developed in 2025.d. Regularly updating the project schedule, community engagement plan, and ultimately the 2027-2031 updated document.3. Manage the CEDS 2027-2031 Community Engagementa. The consultant will conduct stakeholder engagement with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors that includes but is not limited to:1) introducing business and industry leaders to the CEDS,2) engaging them in a SWOT analysis of the region and/or their industry of interest,3) collecting feedback and inputs from industry and nonprofit leaders as well as all Whatcom County jurisdictions to incorporate into the final document as appropriate,4) providing regular updates regarding the status of the CEDS 2027-2031 to key stakeholders such as Whatcom County Council, the POB Directors and Commission, the      City of Bellingham, Small Cities, Team Whatcom, and Whatcom County Business and Commerce Advisory Committee throughout the process,5) conducting 1:1 interviews with private sector and elected leaders to inform priorities and opportunities, and6) preparing for and leading two Community Forums, one for the private sector and one for workforce development stakeholders.4. Manage the Development of a Deliverables and Metrics Dashboard. The consultant will work with the POB Economic Development Team, the CEDS Review Committee, and Western Washington University’s Center for Economic and Business Research (CEBR) to create a dashboard plan by the end of 2026. This work may include but is not limited to:a. Reviewing data dashboard software options.b. Participating in discussions about where the dashboard will be hosted and posted.c. Leading discussions regarding measurable outcomes and appropriate metrics to track over time as they relate to deliverables. The plan will be incorporated into the   Evaluation Framework of the 2027-2031 CEDS Update. This task does not include creating the dashboard, hosting or maintaining the dashboard, or collecting the data.5. Research and Data Review for Port Programsa. The consultant will provide research and data review for the POB at the direction of the POB EDD Director. This task includes reviewing and commenting on research   and data related projects for the POB, managing work that CEBR is completing for the Port such as economic impact studies and data collection tasks, and any other   studies that the Port is currently conducting.This task does not include project management or data analytics services.