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

Executive Summary As the Nishuane Group project team embarks on various aspects of the project. we will ensure that there is close coordination with neighborhood partners, non-profit partners, consultants, and other key stakeholders will be engaged as part of this process. Our team has a unique combination of experience that ideally fits the needs of West Orange. We are at the intersection of economic development and urban planning services. Members of our team are licensed in Professional Planning by the State of New Jersey and have certifications in planning (American Institute of Certified Planners) and economic development (Economic Development Finance Professional and Main Street Downtown Revitalization certificate). Weaving economic development and planning together is essential for the success of a municipality: from implementing the Master Plan, to reviewing trending and emerging land uses, to preparing redevelopment studies and plans, to conducting a retail gap analysis of the Township, to attracting new businesses based on the results of the gap analysis, our blend of experiences lends to both fields working together to achieve tangible results. We view both fields as mutually inclusive and necessary in foreseeing the future of a municipality with a keen awareness to strategic methods to building vitality, revitalization and opportunity. With our office location less than 4 miles away from the Township's Municipal Building, we are positioned in a prime location. Our staff members are accessible and can travel to the Township for meetings, workshops, site visits and other events in minutes. Further, we are well- informed about West Orange. We are familiar with its assets, such as Turtle Back Zoo and the South Mountain Recreation Complex, Edison National Historic Monument, Eagle Rock Reservation and St. Mark's Square, to name a few. However, we are also cognizant of challenges that must be addressed. This includes the vacancies of key commercial properties, The Manor and Mayfair Farms, and the presence of vacant storefronts on Main Street and Northfield Avenue. Bridging connectivity among the Township's designations, shopping centers and commercial corridors needs to occur for a successful business network. We know that bringing back tax revenue from these idling properties is vital for the economic health of West Orange. With this intimate

cial corridors needs to occur for a successful business network. We know that bringing back tax revenue from these idling properties is vital for the economic health of West Orange. With this intimate knowledge of the Township, our team is already a step ahead in moving forward to formulate solutions for these issues. In providing services as the Economic Development, we anticipate the provision of ‘boutique services’. We are accustomed to delivering on high demand of clients. However, we are able to customize the services and tasks assigned by tailoring to the specific needs of West Orange with our wide array of tools and tactics obtained from our years of experience. . For further details regarding the proposed scope of services, please refer fo Tab 9: Addendum Detailed Scope of Work of this Proposal.