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ITEM 10

City Council Memorandum Economic Development Memo No. ED25-032

Date:

June 12, 2025

To:

Mayor and Council

Thru:

Joshua H. Wright, City Manager
Micah Miranda, Economic Development Director

From:

Michael Winer, Economic Development Project Manager

Subject:

Resolution No. 5915 Approving an Intergovernmental Agreement Between the City of Chandler and the Arizona Board of Regents, on Behalf of Arizona State University and Its L. William Seidman Research Institute, W.P. Carey School of Business, to Provide a 20-Year Economic Vitality Report for the City, in an Amount Not to Exceed $145,000; and Authorizing the Acceptance of Grant Funds from the Chandler Industrial Development Authority in the Amount of $150,000

Proposed Motion:

Move City Council pass and adopt Resolution No. 5915 approving an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Chandler and the Arizona Board of Regents, on behalf of Arizona State University and its L. William Seidman Research Institute, W.P. Carey School of Business, to provide a 20-year economic vitality report for the city, in an amount not to exceed $145,000; and authorizing the acceptance of grant funds from the Chandler Industrial Development Authority in the amount of $150,000.

Background/Discussion:

The Economic Development Division requests City Council approval to engage Arizona State University (ASU), through its L. William Seidman Research Institute, to provide a 20-year economic vitality report for the city. The 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. Funding for the report will be provided by a $150,000 grant awarded by the Chandler Industrial Development Authority (CIDA). CIDA will pay the grant in Fiscal Year 2025-26 and will cover the $145,000 in expenses related to the proposed contract with ASU. The grant will also provide $5,000 for ASU Thunderbird School of Global Management student participation. Invoices will be paid directly by CIDA upon transmittal from the Economic Development Division.

This project follows a presentation provided to City Council at its August 15, 2024, regular meeting regarding Chandler's changing demographics and its future economic development challenges and opportunities. The report will establish a vision for the city’s economic growth over the next 20 years as well as provide recommended actions that will help build a path toward a vibrant future. It will also address several issues that are anticipated to have a significant impact on the city’s economic development, including demographic challenges, workforce needs, new resident recruitment strategies, land use, resilience of key industries and municipal revenue streams, and attraction of foreign direct investment. As such, it will require a consultant with expertise in multiple disciplines, such as economics, international business, public policy, marketing, urban planning, and real estate.

The Economic Development Division believes ASU is uniquely suited to deliver this report. ASU’s Seidman Research Institute is a business research and economic consulting services group that has been part of the university since 1985. They have completed an extensive list of projects for both public and private sector clients. In addition to their team, they will be able to draw on the talent and insights of other staff across the university. Moreover, they have significant local and regional knowledge to apply to the project.

If this agreement is approved, ASU will start work on the report in July 2025, beginning with background research and data collection. During the report development process, ASU will receive input from community stakeholders, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and residents. The scope of services to be performed by ASU is attached with the agreement. It is anticipated the final report will be completed in early 2026.

Financial Implications:

There are no financial implications for the City of Chandler. All costs for the agreement will be paid using grant funds awarded by the Chandler Industrial Development Authority and held outside the city’s budget.

Attachments

Resolution 5915

IGA City of Chandler - ASU

CIDA Grant Approval Letter