104-24 Exhibits-Economic Development Counsultant - 2024.pdf

rding reasons for vacancies and turnover can contribute in resolving these issues. Nishuane Group offers to provide economic development services in assisting the Township in increasing tax ratables, creating new job opportunities, and enhancing the retail shopping and dining experience.

Needs Overview & We are joined in this venture by Craig Sawyer, highly regarded community and economic development professional. We have successfully collaborated with Mr. Sawyer on several project previously and have an impeccable track record of bring them to completion. Therefore, we have assembled a superior team that brings synergy, professional economic development expertise, and years of experience that can serve the both the short and long- term needs for economic development and strategic planning in the Township. Our approach is designed to be responsive, innovative, and considerate based on our deep knowledge and understanding of the Township of West Orange needs, and our drive to use state-of-the art tools, technology, best practices, and techniques for engaging various stakeholders throughout this process. We will ensure professional excellence in our approach and value the input of the Township of West Orange. Our project approach considers the following facets in understanding your needs: Economic Issues: Given the history of the Township of West Orange, the municipality is faced with issues such as aging infrastructure, sprawling shopping centers and significant commercial vacancies, including the former site of The Manor and Mayfair Farms. To that end, our team will detail in this proposal how we will engage the Township in a coordinated approach to provide economic development services to combat these issues and bring in new businesses to complement the existing businesses while highlighting the Township's potential. In part of the economic development services to be provided, a 5-Year Economic Development Strategic Plan will be formulated to determine where the Township's economy wants to be in 5 years and the steps to take to achieve this.

Needs Overview & Uniquely Qualified Consulting Team: Nishuane Group has substantial experience in economic development, redevelopment, land use and large-scale stakeholder community engagement and project management, particularly in diverse and urban communities offers a unique fit to meet the needs of West Orange. Our team understands the importance of planning thoughtfully by ensuring we build tailored opportunities for employers and residents alike to engage and provide input in the setting forth the economic development assignments. To this end, our team will utilize current data, contemporary tools, and effective engagement in bolstering the Township's economic ecosystem. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Nishuane Group recognizes the value and importance of bringing diverse teams and thought partners together. It should be noted, that the Nishuane Group, LLC. Is a certified minority- owned business enterprises. In fact, we are a M/WBE, SBE and DBE certified firm. Our team include women and people of color, which will offer an ongoing lens to diversity, equity, and inclusion matters whatever the economic development task shall be. In fact, the entire project team from Nishuane Group is composed of women and diverse individuals. This will serve to provide us with great connection opportunities on various issues as they arise across the project timeframe.

Needs Overview Downiown Revitalization and Transt-Oriented Development: As part of the being the Economic Development Consultant for the Township, we recognize the importance of having a_ foundational understanding of downtowns, urban revitalization, industrial areas and _ transi-oriented development. Our firm has notable experience developing downtown and_ ftrnsit-oriented development redevelopment plans for urban municipalities within New Jersey. Below 6a sample of some of our most recent redevelopment plans: * Downtown East Front Street Redevelopment Plan —City of Plainfield * TODD South Redevelopment Plan —City of Plainfield * TODN Southand TODN North Redevelopment Plan —City of Plainfield The TODD South Redevelopment Plan uniquely contains two Central Business District corridors, where most of the shopping takes place in the City of Plainfield. f’ an active and intense mixed-use and commercial area for residents and businesses alike. Our redevelopment planning support to the City of Plainfield through ths plan highlighted unique opportunities for rebirth and regeneration within the City through key incentive strategies. Additionally, the TODN South and TODN North Redevelopment Plan areas are adjacent to the Netherwood train state and consisted of amendments to the original plans. TODN North Redevelopment Area for example grapples with similar issues that are being faced by the Township of West Orange such as stagnant commercial and retail growth, lack of pedestrian amenities, vacant and abandoned properties, contaminated sites, etc. 12

Needs Overview Economic Development Experience: Nishuane Group economic development experience includes providing critical economic development expertise and support to the City of East Orange as a contracted consultant. We are working collaboratively with this client to support their business attraction and retention efforts, to address needs of small local businesses as well as identify crucial ways to expand growing sectors and industies of their economy. The range of services we can provide municipalities include the following: * Business Inventory: creating business inventories for use by municipalities + Workforce Analysis: assessing and analyzing workforce data, socio-economic demographics * Refention and Expansion: engage small businesses and start- ups to determine needs and challenges + Industy gowth: analyzing and identifying how growth can occur in staggering industries/sectors + Small business developmen: assess special improvement disticts, support streetscape improvements + Redevelopment: conduct redevelopment studies; identify areas of potential redevelopment Our firm economic development experience also includes the preparing economic development elements of municipal comprehensive master plans within New Jersey. We have used the American Planning Association's model for economic development plans and the New Jersey Planning Officials Municipal Master Plan Manual for preparing economic development elements of comprehensive plans. Our team is fluent in using the most recent US. Census data, other supporting documents and previous plans fo do a comprehensive analysis of the existing market trends and forecast future projections. We have experience developing Economic Development elements of Master Plans for the City of East Orange, City of Orange Township and City of Plainfield, for which we provide examples of within this proposal. In addition, Mr. Sawyer on our team has extensive experience preparing real estate market analyses. This experience is imperative as we develop feasible and realistic economic development strategies for the Township.

Needs Overview Previous Economic Development Experience: In preparing economic development elements, a systematic assessment of the municipality’s economic/demographic characteristics wil be undertaken based on the most recent U.S. Census data and supporting studies, such as the State Economic Development Plan or other regional plans. We have ample experience examining and considering the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges faced throughout urban and suburban municipalities. Based on the analyses undertaken, the Economic Development Plan Element of a Comprehensive Master Plan will set specific economic development goals, policies, and guidelines for our municipal clients. Recent economic development studies that Nishuane Group have prepared include those for the City of East Orange, Orange Township and City of Plainfield, New Jersey. City of East Orange Master Plan MASTER PLAN 2020 ITY OF PLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY = a fos Apher Marg arn gat 0 2b 3_ DISTRICT OVERVIEW ‘2700415 NO OBJECIVES Main Street Redevelopment and, litation Plan with-Condemnation

Needs Overview Previous Economic Development Experience: Below are excerpts from economic development elements prepared by ourteam. ‘COMMERCIAL CORRIDORS Watchung Avenue weoet_The Norn Avenue Pectesiion MoM, to oddition to the core concentration of Commercial octivity along Watchung Downtown Train Station. & being pkonned. Busnessos ‘the Cay's Central ‘(xvonue tune fom Green Brook ot Rewestorn If wall “Snnancea’ ond Detict. there ore multiple commercial ondwimtun me City Imi tom alverging point mobity to peaermans who utize the ‘Comace: Ploinseld. cening rates wilh Clavcent Avenue Several Muficipal Dowown Tidin Staton Gnd a0 tetal shops Gnd service needs as well Gr Providing jobs Wses ore glong this common ond services along Nort fn venous including the Post Pouce. Hall one #2 Annex iho Front soot Former YAAC A, Ioceted OkOng Mle COMO B Within the Cenkol Busines Dihict the Significant onchor in the City while USIzing Doth East ond West Front Tehabiiation. Steet & 0 sionficont commercial comdor tok ring om om skies. Seumm Avenue: ‘Commercial alee ito Fomenodt — Commercial comdor of Weal front Steet South Avenue 6 curenity ined on both sides Norih Avenue Downtown eitence trom Pork ite Castorn tr ruse to Front stactwitcontinus loseivedsiNe city's ond reteal with loge accessory paring tos CULTURAL ASSETS Netherwood mony Park Avenue / Somerset Street Complex E rooching compionion, among cutfural ctiinutos that include its histone “Commercial o renidentat Gna ienunonc: Within the City’s Central Business Diwict, Uses North Avenue f located between Watchung ECONOMIC RECOMMENDATION CHECKLIST The followng recommendations provide a checklist of the strateges checussed within the Economic Element in order to prormze actions, entity the responsible de partment(s) and to keep track of accomplished tasks Pronde Rlexble zoning standards for co work, sncubstor, and rache manufacturing space= Establish @ pop-up business program that establishes temporary retail locations at train stations, Cay Mall, ane ‘other well utilized locations Market East Orange's workforce businesses and encourage industry job fairs within the oe | Aeayorsomes of Enploymam ana oaing ' te ] 15

Needs Overview Urban Municipal Experience: Bound Tech Pons kes Cty of Pinfield * x x x x Giy of Linden® i Pals eg 0 (sad [Be x x x iz 3 x x ba x x x Gyttownk” fy | x | x x x x OydttetOmm | x | x | x x x x x x x X ry oN canahll PO (ne cal fe x x tringienbowrei? | 5 1 |x x x * Denotes current chent Nishuane Group has extensive experience providing professional planning services in urban municipalities across New Jersey, including in the Township of West Orange. Our team prides itself on providing exceptional service to meet the unique needs of urban communities within the state. As the table above demonstrates, we offer several different types of professional services to municipal clients fo meet a range of planning needs for urban municipalities and suburban jurisdictions in New Jersey from economic development, redevelopment, land use, historic preservation, etc. Additionally, our service portfolio to municipalities within New Jersey include professional expert witness testimony before land use boards, development of neighborhood plans, comprehensive master plans, Zoning Ordinance amendments and updates, and provide support to technical review committees through professional planning review of site plans and conceptual plans. Our firm also has provided extensive community engagement support on behalf of municipalities and developers to reach diverse and hard-toreach populations, particularly in urban communities. To this end, we can coordinate logistics, communications and various activities to engage people as part of the development of an economic development and revitalization plan. Our community engagement experience with clients in the past have included community meetings, stakeholder meetings, charettes, visioning exercises, neighborhood site visits and online surveys to gather community input. Nishuane Group has sufficient staffing capacity to meet the requirements of the Township in this regard. As mentioned previously, our office &§ located approximately 35 miles from the Township of West Orange municipal building, readily allowing for our attendance at on-site meetings or site visits, as needed. 16

Needs Overview Uniquely Qualified Consuiling Team: Nishuane Group has steep experience with economic development, redevelopment, land use and large-scale stakeholder community engagement and project management particularly in diverse and urban communities offers a unique fit to meet the needs of the Township. Our team understands the importance of planning thoughtfully by ensuring we build tailored economic development and revitalization opportunities for residents and stakeholders. In addition, we are knowledgeable about the Township of West Orange and its unique economic development needs. Diversily, Equiy and Inclusion: Our team recognizes the value and importance of bringing diverse teams and thought partners together. Nishuane Group, LLC is a certified Minority/Wwomen-owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE), SBE and DBE certified fim. Most of our staff are licensed and nationally certified professional women and people of color who represents a diverse set of generational and professional experience levels. Nishuane Group team members speak a several languages from French/Kryeol, Spanish, Hindi, Marthi and English, which provides a_ unique opportunity to connect linguistically with diverse stakeholders in the community. We recognize that the Township of West Orange has historically and continue to be home to immigrant communities and diverse neighborhoods. To that end, our diverse project team that we have assembled will provide a unique opportunity to seamlessly engage with diverse community stakeholders through the community engagement aspects of this project. Nishuane Group stands ready to provide an ongoing and elevated lens to diversity, equity, and inclusion matters as they arise throughout our economic development work and support to the Township of West Orange. Our team is knowledgeable about how equity and inclusion plays an important role in creating an equitable economy to ensure that the workforce and employers alike have access to a range of resources to sustainably thrive well into the future. 17

Tab 4: Team Qualifications This section includes information on our feam experience and professional qualifications that offers a greater understanding of the diverse skillsets we will bring to support the economic development needs of the Township of West Orange