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IDA Grant Application Chandler Next Twenty Economic Vitality Report SUBMITTED TO: CHANDLER IDA BOARD APPLICANT: CITY OF CHANDLER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Project Next Twenty Economic Vitality Report The City of Chandler’s Economic Development Division is requesting $150,000 in grant funding to engage Arizona State University (ASU) to prepare a twenty-year economic vitality plan for the city. The Next Twenty report will address multiple topics critical to the city’s future economic prosperity and will complement long- term planning efforts being undertaken for the city’s 2026 General Plan Update. Topics that will be evaluated by the ASU team include: demographic challenges (e.g., aging population and declining school enrollment trends), future workforce needs, new resident recruitment strategies, resilience of the city’s local economy and its target industries, and opportunities to attract foreign direct investment. Stakeholder engagement will be an important part of the process and will help shape the strategies recommended by the ASU team. This will include interviews with corporate executives, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and other community stakeholders to gain insight into challenges and opportunities for the city. In addition, at least two stakeholder group engagements will be conducted to capture views on Chandler’s future and incorporate this information into the final report. By approving this grant request, the Chandler IDA Board can play an important role in the city’s continued economic prosperity. The Next Twenty report will help guide the activities of the Economic Development Division and is also intended to help Mayor and City Council in establishing economic development priorities. Demographic Trends Strategy Assessment Workforce Needs Foreign Direct Investment ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IDA GRANT APPLICATION | 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Project Team The Economic Development Division will manage the project and work performed the ASU team. The ASU Seidman Research Institute will serve as lead consultant and ASU’s Thunderbird School of Global Management will focus on the foreign direct investment (FDI) section of the report. Four to six students participating in Thunderbird’s Global Challenge Lab (GCL) will be assigned to the project. The Global Challenge Lab is a consulting course for all Master’s in Global Management students that provides real-world experience as the culmination of their classroom studies. The Economic Development Division views this project as an opportunity to further engage with ASU and strengthen the university’s involvement in our city. Project Timeline Upon notification of Chandler IDA grant funding approval, the city will contract with the ASU Seidman Research Institute. A draft scope of services with cost estimates is attached. It is anticipated the Seidman team will begin work on the report in July 2025. The Economic Development Division will also contact Thunderbird to confirm participation in the Global Challenge Lab. The course dates and period during which students will be working on the report is October - December 2025. Below is a tentative timeline. It is expected the report will take approximately six months to complete with delivery in early 2026. Members of the IDA Board will be invited to participate in the stakeholder engagement process and a draft version of the report will be presented to the IDA Board before the report is finalized. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. IDA Grant Awarded Contract Preparation Seidman Work Thunderbird GCL Draft Presentation Final Report IDA GRANT APPLICATION | 3 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Funding Breakdown The City of Chandler’s Economic Development Division is requesting $150,000 in grant funding from the Chandler IDA Board, which would cover the contract with ASU’s Seidman Research Institute and financial obligations for participation in Thunderbird’s Global Challenge Lab (e.g., student transportation for on-site visits). ASU Seidman Research Institute Contract Thunderbird Global Challenge Lab Expenses Total Funding Requested $145,000 $5,000 $150,000 Micah Miranda ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Michael Winer ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MANAGER We appreciate the Chandler IDA Board’s review and consideration of this grant application. We believe the Next Twenty report would be a valuable resource to guide our community’s economic development efforts and ensure continued prosperity. Questions? IDA GRANT APPLICATION | 4