The City of Pinole (“City”) hired RSG in June 2023 to serve as an extension of staff to implement the first year of the City’s Economic Development Strategy (“Strategy”). Stakeholder engagement was a core component of our services. RSG made connections and built relationships with over 40 business and shopping center owners, brokers, developers, and regional partners to activate the Strategy. The project began with business visitations to understand business owners’ needs and identify how the City can help, market research to identify emerging target industries, and mapping an online inventory of over 20 opportunity sites that offer potential for new development or improvements. Next, RSG helped the City organize an Economic Development Summit to update stakeholders about the Strategy and make a call to action to invest their time and resources to work toward shared goals.
Our efforts culminated in attending the 2024 International Council of Shopping Centers conference in Las Vegas, utilizing our retailer and developer relationships and expertise to quickly elevate the City to a strong position at the conference and with those they wished to meet. To prepare for the conference, RSG created targeted and attractive marketing materials and surveyed shopping center owners about available vacancies and desired retailers. The City connected with nearly 20 retailers and developers, resulting in ongoing conversations with several parties about Pinole’s opportunity sites. Other tasks included preparing Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District tax increment projections, applying for an EPA Brownfield Remediation Grant, connecting prospective business owners to the City and other resources, and helping property owners navigate sensitive negotiations.