RFP: Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

Superior California Economic Development
Published
April 23, 2026
Location
350 Hartnell Avenue, Suite A, Redding, CA
Category
Default  
Job Type
RFP or RFQ  

Description

Superior California Economic Development (SCED) invites qualified firms to submit proposals to support the development of its Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS).
The selected consultant will work collaboratively with SCED to guide the CEDS development process, including research, stakeholder engagement, and preparation of a final strategy document that supports regional economic development priorities.
The full RFP, including detailed scope of work, timeline, and submission requirements, is available at:
https://sced.org/2026cedsrfp
Proposal Deadline: May 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM (PT)
Point of Contact:
Nikki Espinosa, Program Specialist
[email protected] | 530-225-2760
Please submit proposals as outlined in the RFP. Questions regarding this opportunity may be directed to the contact listed above.

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Ethan Simon began as a Research Fellow at NADO in January 2025 after earning his bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park, with minors in Law and Society and Geographic Information Science. During and after his undergraduate studies, Ethan built experience across state government, transportation advocacy, and nonprofit policy work, including positions with the Maryland General Assembly, the Government Affairs Department of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), and as a Government Relations and Advocacy Intern for the National Council of Jewish Women. Ethan currently serves as Chair of Government Affairs for the SEPTA Youth Advisory Council, where he leads advocacy efforts to expand public transportation funding and strengthen transit planning throughout the Philadelphia region.

At NADO, he supports rural energy planning initiatives by contributing research to the Rural Energy Academy and assisting with broader programs focused on rural energy development and policy impacts on rural communities.

Now residing in Washington, D.C., Ethan enjoys playing basketball and football in his free time, as well as traveling. He is interested in U.S. history, sports, and geography, is a die-hard Buffalo Bills fan, and hopes to one day compete on Jeopardy.

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Prior to joining NADO, she was a Senior Policy Associate at Boundary Stone Partners, where she specialized in clean energy policy analysis, federal funding navigation, and legislative advocacy. In this role, Juliette coordinated with the Department of Energy on multi-million-dollar clean energy projects, spearheaded congressional and executive branch initiatives, and built partnerships to advance innovation in the energy transition.

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Before coming to NADO, Mirielle conducted research on economic development programs in her role at the Pew Charitable Trusts, where she advocated for policy solutions to make those programs more effective. Prior to that, she facilitated interagency initiatives while working for the Delta Regional Authority, where she created and administered programs designed to spur economic diversification, disaster resilience, workforce development, and improved health outcomes in the rural Delta region. Mirielle holds a BA in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland College Park.

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Michael Matthews is the Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), where he leads congressional and executive branch outreach, coalition building, and advocacy efforts on behalf of more than 500 regional development organizations (RDOs) nationwide.


With over a decade of experience, Michael combines policy expertise with political acumen to advance federal policies that promote equitable community development, economic competitiveness, rural growth, economic mobility, and quality of place. Before joining NADO, he served as the Legislative Director for Community, Economic & Workforce Development at the National Association of Counties (NACo), collaborating with county officials to shape policies affecting local governments in areas such as housing, community and economic development, public works, and workforce initiatives.


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Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Salisbury University and a master’s degree in public administration from Wilmington University. A native of Delaware, he now resides in Lake Ridge, Virginia, with his wife and daughter.

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Ryan Collins joined NADO in 2024. Having grown up in rural communities, he is dedicated to ensuring these areas thrive and prosper nationwide. Ryan has always identified as a helper and has focused his career on serving others in both the public and private sectors.
 
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Before joining NADO, Ryan worked as a Policy Manager with the National Digital Inclusion Alliance. There he focused on Federal Policy issues and making them more accessible to members. Ryan also worked with NADO-member organization, Buckeye Hills Regional Council (BHRC). There he served as a Broadband Coordinator and then as a Program Manager leading Ohio’s Southeast Regional Digital Inclusion Alliance, managing BHRC’s State and Federal Appalachian Regional Commission programs, and working in several other programs.
 
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Haley Schultheis joined NADO in November 2024, bringing experience in association management and nonprofit development. She earned her master’s in Community Development from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2022, focusing on human and organizational development. Her academic and professional path has been guided by interests in systems thinking, capacity building, and human behavior.
 
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Outside of work, Haley loves drawing, going for walks, and enjoying good food. You can check out her cartoon series on Instagram!
Dan Deutsch joined the NADO team as a Research Fellow in 2024. With over a decade of experience in nonprofit communications with particular emphasis on arts and culture institutions, and over 25 years of participating in the performing arts, his interests sit at the crux of placemaking/placekeeping, arts and culture, community engagement, and economic development. Dan holds a dual bachelor’s in communications & culture and theatre arts, and a master’s in professional communications from Clark University.
 
Before joining NADO, Dan had just graduated with a master’s in regional planning from UMass Amherst after living and working in the Greater Hartford region as a communications professional. Dan resides in Washington D.C., where he enjoys trying new restaurants, recreational photography, and staying involved in the local music scene as both a musician and supporter.
Olivia holds a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing her master’s in public administration at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.
 
Prior to beginning her graduate studies, Olivia worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Executive Office for Administration and Finance. She first joined the office as a member of the state’s budget team, where she worked on housing, economic development, and education finance, and later served as the agency’s Chief Financial Officer. She relocated to Boston from Washington D.C., where she had worked on legal and regulatory research as an analyst for Mintz Levin and its consulting affiliate M.L. Strategies.
 
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Now serving at NADO as a Program Manager, Andrew conducts research on the newest economic and community development best practices from Economic Development Districts across the country. He helps produce easily digestible information on complex regional issues through case studies, tip sheets, and research reports. Andrew also hosts training and professional development opportunities including conference sessions and virtual webinars for member regional development organizations.

Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from Hendrix College and a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service. He is one of NADO’s three Missouri-based team members and enjoys reading and training for his next triathlon.

As Director of Programs, Jack Morgan manages the portfolio of NADO’s training, research, capacity-building, and other grant-funded programs and activities of the NADO Research Foundation. Jack previously served as a NADO Senior Program Manager and Associate Director, leading work supporting energy communities and the training programs for Emerging Leaders. 

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Taking road trips, reading non-fiction, and indulging in top-notch barbecue and coffee round out Jack’s days. He loves maps, mountains, and of course, all things sports.

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Kar’ron came to NADO after four years in the classroom teaching at The New Century School and Old Mill Middle North where he received the Patriot of the Year award. He attended Towson University and the University of Maryland Global Campus and holds a bachelor’s in international studies and humanities.

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Melissa is a North American Food Systems Network trained AgriCluster Resilience and Expansion (ACRE) facilitator and a WealthWorks coach, facilitator, and trainer.

In addition to her professional work, Melissa serves on the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Council, on the board of the Hinesburg Community Resource Center, and on the Hinesburg Economic Development Committee.

A true outdoorswoman, Melissa enjoys cross country and downhill skiing, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, and kayaking, as well as yoga, and teaching Tai Chi.

Senior Program Manager Krishna Kunapareddy began her role with NADO in February of 2023 after 14 years of service at Boonslick Regional Planning Commission in Missouri. Krishna manages NADO Research Foundation’s Planning and Environmental Linkages and Center for Environmental Excellence projects. In addition to researching and writing, Krishna also conducts virtual workshops on innovative tools and techniques related to transportation planning.

She holds an undergraduate degree from Andhra University and a master’s from JNT University in India, as well as a master’s in city and regional planning from the University of Texas at Arlington. Krishna is also a certified Smart Cities Academy Practitioner and holds the Location Advantage certificate from geographic information system software company ESRI.

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Applications cannot be saved and returned to at a later time. It is recommended you compile all of your information in advance in a word processor and cut and paste into the application below.

2023 Impact Awards

The primary applicant must be a NADO member. Project partners, both NADO and non-members, can be recognized under "Project Partners" below.

Primary Project Contact:
This person will be the designated point of contact for all future awards-related correspondence.

Organization Address

Project Location (if different from Organization Address)

Executive Director

Additional Organizational Information
Please upload your organization's logo which will be included on the winning project award certificate.

Project Information
This title will be printed on the award certificate for winning projects and in all 2022 NADO Impact Award materials and cannot be changed.

Project Summary & Questions
Please craft clear, thoughtful, and engaging responses to the following questions. Use the following sections to tell us how your project has made an impact, such as its use of creative funding mechanisms, efforts to create efficiencies or reduce costs, unique partnership models, and emphasis on building resilience and/or enhancing your region's quality of life.

For award-winning projects, the information provided below may be used verbatim to inform project descriptions that will be published in the 2023 NADO Impact Awards materials and included on the NADO website.

Please submit at least one photo showing your project in action. Please keep file size to a minimum (<2Mb) and use JPEG format. If uploading multiple files, ZIP files prior to submitting. If you have trouble uploading images they can be directly emailed to Brett Schwartz at [email protected]. Include the project title they correspond to in the subject line of your email.

Note: Submitted photos may be used in NADO Impact Awards materials and in other NADO published materials with credit to your organization. Please also consider submitting photos for NADO's 2023 Photo Contest, which will be held this summer.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION - PLEASE BE PATIENT! IF YOU DO NOT SEE A CONFIRMATION, YOUR APPLICATION WAS NOT RECEIVED.
Your application is not submitted until you are directed to a confirmation page. If you have any questions or are unsure if your application has been submitted, please contact Brett Schwartz at [email protected]

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Joe McKinney serves as Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO). Headquartered in Washington DC, NADO provides advocacy, education, research, and training for the nation’s 500+ regional planning and development organizations.

Joe has more than 30 years of experience having served in city, county, regional, national association, and government management since 1991. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy Analysis from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is a candidate for a master’s degree in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill.

McKinney has provided congressional testimony on numerous occasions regarding the importance of regional development organizations in helping shape the nation’s economic growth. He is nationally recognized for promoting innovative solutions in areas such as planning and economic development, workforce development, transportation and transit, and aging services.

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