Economic Development Action Plan

The City of Richmond solicited professional services to complete the City of Richmond's Economic Development Action Plan (EDAP), which consists of two elements: 

1) Short-Term Local Business Recovery Action Plan (STLBRAP); and 

2) Richmond Business and Investment Attraction Strategy (RBIAS). 

The STLBRAP shall summarize the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on local businesses and describe short-term actionable strategies for the City to support local businesses. It shall cover a term of approximately twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months. 

The RBIAS shall include actionable, time-bound strategies to attract business investment to the City of Richmond and ensure the City’s resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It shall also identify strengths and gaps of current strategies to increase the effectiveness of implementation strategies by the City Council, City staff, and Business Resource Organizations. 

City Council Approval

During the October 6, 2020, Richmond City Council Meeting, City Council approved a contract with HR&A Advisors to complete both elements of Richmond's Economic Development Action Plan. 

  1. Lizeht Zepeda

    Senior Business Assistance Officer

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Short-Term Local Business Recovery Action Plan - Community Forum

The Short-Term Local Business Recovery Action Plan outlines actions the City will take to address the acute needs of Richmond businesses to recover from the impacts of COVID-19. The STLRABP focuses on near-term actions the City can take to address the recovery needs of local businesses while planning for longer-term economic development strategies. HR&A Advisors Identified three business recovery Strategies:

  • Strategy 1: Collaborate and consolidate information about available resources and technical assistance
  • Strategy 2: Provide near-term support to businesses to help reduce closures
  • Strategy 3: Capitalize on emerging or likely state and federal recovery programs

Recording:

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Richmond Business Recovery Action Plan DRAFT 3-31-2021 Front rotated

Richmond Business Investment and Attraction Strategy - Community Forum

The Richmond Business Development Strategy outlines actions the City will take to promote equitable economic growth and support business investment and attraction.  The City and its partners provide a range of services to support new and existing businesses and help residents access employment, but the City recognizes the need to do more to improve the impacts and equitable outcomes of its economic development activities, address long-standing challenges to Richmond’s businesses and commercial districts, and promote economic growth and economic mobility. The Business Development Strategy identifies strategies and actions to attract private investment, support local employment, increase the accessibility of services to businesses and property owners, and enhance the business environment, with a focus on promoting inclusive and equitable growth.

Recording:

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Richmond Business Development Strategy Cover

Economic Development Action Plan - Community Outreach

The City of Richmond Staff has been working collaboratively with HR&A Advisors to draft the STLBRAP and RBIAS. HR&A Advisors have interviewed over a dozen local economic development organizations and small businesses to draft the Economic Development Action Plan. In addition, HR&A Advisors have attended Economic Development Commission (EDC) Meetings and have participated in workshop sessions with the EDC Policy Subcommittee and the EDC Community Engagement Subcommittee. During these meetings, commissioners were able to ask specific questions and provide input to HR&A Advisors. Richmond City Council presentation tentatively scheduled for June 1, 2021.

Meeting Type
Date/Agenda
HR&A and CMO, Economic Development Division - Kick-off meeting
November 10, 2020
Economic Development Commission Meeting #1
Economic Development Commission Meeting #2
Economic Development Commission Meeting #3
Economic Development Commission - Community Engagement Subcommittee
March 9, 2021
Economic Development Commission Meeting #4
Economic Development Commission - Policy Subcommittee
April 20, 2021
Community Stakeholder Meeting 1 (Upcoming)
Community Stakeholder Meeting 2 (Upcoming)
May 10, 2021 evening 
STLBRAP Richmond City Council Presentation 
June 22, 2021
Economic Development Commission
July 14, 2021
Economic Development Commission
RBIAS Community Forum
September 13, 2021 
RBIAS Community ForumSeptember 15, 2021
Stakeholder WorkshopSeptember 20, 2021
Tentative RBIAS Richmond City Council PresentationSeptember 28, 2021