Study funded by grant from Facebook to explore event tourism, including recreation and lodging
Bend, Ore. (February 25, 2013)
G2 Strategic (“G2”) announced today that the company has been retained by ECONorthwest (“ECO”), a Portland, Oregon-based firm specializing in economic, planning and financial services consulting, who has entered into an agreement with the Crook County Foundation (“CCF”), to conduct an economic development study in Prineville, Oregon, the Crook County seat that is approximately 35 miles northeast of Bend, Oregon. ECO has simultaneously retained Portland-based architect Ankrom Moison. The study will be funded by an $82,000 grant that Facebook made to CCF on February 20.
G2 CEO Marshall Glickman said, “Although Prineville is a small community, we think there is tremendous potential for development that will attract visitors to the area. The area features an array of outdoor recreation assets, sits in a sun belt and they have put out the welcome mat for innovative economic development initiatives. Our study will consider a range of options that will be designed to create jobs and stimulate economic activity in the area.”
ECO Director of Development Services, Dr. Abe Farkas said, “Having a person of Marshall’s considerable breadth of experience provides our team with a unique asset. He is known for innovation and challenging norms, which is precisely what we think is needed to come up with an economic development project that is both economically viable, sustainable long-term and provides Prineville with a project that can be embraced by the entire community.”
“We are developing a variety of programming ideas,” said Glickman. “Any plan that we recommend will be based on economic viability so that its operations do not require public subsidy.” Glickman added that the study’s focus will be on recreation, lodging and event tourism.
Once preliminary site plans and a development program is put together by Ankrom Moison, G2 will work with ECONorthwest on financial modeling, evaluation of various financing options and economic impact estimates, including job creation. G2’s team expects to complete the study by the end of July.
Contacts
Marshall Glickman
G2 Strategic
marshall@g2strategic.net
857.991.9361
Abe Farkas
ECONorthwest
farkas@econw.com
503.222.6060