Marin County Town Awards $145K Contract For Economic Development Strategic Plan

NOVATO, CA — The City Council unanimously approved a $145,500 consulting contract with Good City Company to spearhead the city’s first-ever Economic Development Strategic Plan at the Tuesday meeting in Novato.

The plan is set to establish a comprehensive vision for Novato’s economic growth, including actionable strategies for business attraction, infrastructure needs, land use, workforce development and business support.

“Economic development is the long-term process of improving the economic well-being of a community and expanding a broad array of opportunities,” said Katie Skjerping, Economic Development Manager for Novato, who introduced the item.

The contract, awarded after a competitive process involving ten proposals, will see Good City Company, a consulting firm, collaborate with Strategic Economics on an effort Skjerping described as “involving high levels of staff, council, and community engagement.”

“This is a necessary move to plan for what Novato could be and the type of businesses that we want to see here.” said Denise Athas, of the Novato Chamber of Commerce.“The most important part of the plan will be the eventual implementation of the vision.”

Councilmember Pat Eklund, pressed for assurances that both council and community would have ample opportunity to shape the new plan.