Economic Development & Resiliency

Building upon a community’s inherent strengths and competitive advantages, we develop tailored strategies for economic growth and resiliency in urban, suburban and rural settings. Selected project examples are featured below.

La Junta, Colorado

Economic Development and Resiliency Plan (2021): P.U.M.A. created strategies to support new enterprises and existing businesses, revitalize the downtown corridor, enhance workforce development, promote tourism, and cultivate economic prosperity, equity, and inclusion. Utilizing broad community feedback, recommendations encouraged leaders and community members to work collectively to nurture an existing entrepreneurial spirit and address quality-of-life infrastructure issues.

Elbert County, Colorado

Economic Development & Recovery Research for Elbert County, Colorado (2020) To help inform Elbert County’s future economic development program, P.U.M.A. conducted a two-part research project to examine best practices in rural economic development. The first phase investigated the organizational structures, scope of services, budgets, and COVID relief efforts of economic development entities in seven comparable rural Colorado counties, with data collected through online research and interviews. The second assignment explored budget, revenue sources, and assessment valuation in the case study counties. Key research findings and implications for Elbert County were presented to county leaders.

San Jose, California

Downtown Stabilization Plan (2020): In the midst of COVID-19, P.U.M.A. was hired by the San Jose Downtown Association (SJDA) to develop a stabilization plan for both during and post pandemic. In addition to conducting extensive public outreach, P.U.M.A. worked closely with SJDA leadership to develop and roll out a plan focused on: updating its clean and safe program, enhancing its role in community leadership and events facilitation, and improving board and staff roles and responsibilities.

Broomfield, Colorado

Advance Broomfield Economic Vitality Strategy (2020): Advance Broomfield is a forward-thinking economic vitality plan for the City and County of Broomfield. P.U.M.A. was hired to facilitate the planning process and deliver innovative and high-level recommendations, marking a shift from conventional business recruitment-based economic development to a more holistic approach. The plan included a robust community engagement process and provides a strategic framework for implementation.

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Community Hub Business Plan (2019): As the result of a grant from The Colorado Health Foundation’s Healthy Places Initiative, P.U.M.A. was hired by Solid Rock Community Development Corporation (CDC) to help conceptualize a community hub for southeast Colorado Springs. We researched best practices and worked with the CDC to create a business plan that evaluated financially feasible uses as well as the ability to meet the community’s needs in a space that feels welcoming and inclusive to all.

Boulder, Colorado

Downtown Boulder Retail Vibrancy Study (2018): P.U.M.A. partnered with MJB Consulting to provide analysis and recommendations to enhance downtown’s appeal and vitality in a rapidly changing retail environment. Work included a multi-day “immersion visit,” quantitative analysis of existing conditions, and feedback from varied downtown stakeholders. The result was an action plan, which laid out key opportunity areas, including reframing the role of downtown.

Denver, Colorado

Westwood Pop-Up Market Assessment and Implementation Guide (2018): BuCu West, a nonprofit community development corporation, hired P.U.M.A. for its guidance on implementing a “pop-up” market in Denver’s Westwood neighborhood, an area defined by a rich Latino culture. We researched case studies, analyzed zoning and made recommendations on programming, management and funding with the goal of a culturally relevant gathering place that supported and celebrated local businesses and entrepreneurs.

Wailuku, Hawaii

Wailuku Civic Hub Feasibility Study (2017): A multi-year visioning process to “remember, reimagine, and renew” Wailuku Town identified projects and set priorities. P.U.M.A. was retained by Maui Redevelopment Agency to determine market opportunities and viable programming for the Wailuku Civic Hub, a signature project. Proposed elements included a covered plaza, outdoor stage, specialty grocery, county hearing room, and community reception space. P.U.M.A.’s ongoing work with Maui began in 2010.

Parker, Colorado

P3 Strategic Plan (2017): P.U.M.A. was engaged to develop a strategic plan for Partnering for Parker’s Progress (P3), the town’s urban renewal authority. Through an 8-month planning process, P.U.M.A. developed context-sensitive recommendations that fit Parker’s community character and the organization’s objectives. The plan established a clear vision and recommendations for the organization as a whole and identified unique activities and projects for Parker’s three urban renewal districts.

Leadville, Colorado

Tabor Opera House Feasibility Study (2017): A significant and beloved building in Leadville’s National Historic Landmark district, the Tabor Opera House had deteriorated over the years. P.U.M.A. was hired to identify the alternatives for its revitalization. We convened workshops with stakeholders, creatively engaged the public, prepared a market assessment and organized a best-practices panel. The study was designed to guide rehabilitation, programming and operations for years to come.

New Haven, Connecticut

Town Green Special Services District (TGSSD) Strategic Plan (2017): P.U.M.A. was hired to reevaluate TGSSD’s Economic Prosperity Initiative (EPI) to reflect market changes since our prior work in 2010. Our study found that it should be adapted to the new realities, including improved coordination and consensus-building among the major private, public, and nonprofit institutions. P.U.M.A. delivered a roadmap for TGSSD to more fully invest in public space activation and civic advocacy.

Greeley, Colorado

Southard-Gillespie House (2017): P.U.M.A. worked with Historic Greeley to evaluate the economic vitality of the Southard-Gillespie House, a historic property which the owner intended to donate to the city. We led site visits, interviewed stakeholders, and conducted extensive research to create an economic feasibility study that suggested it could be used as a center for nonprofits, a rental space for small events, a coffee shop, a home for Historic Greeley offices or some combination of uses.

Denver, Colorado

Cherry Creek North Retail Assessment & Strategies (2016): P.U.M.A. evaluated the evolving retail environment within Denver’s Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District, a well-known shopping destination, in partnership with MJB Consulting. The team completed a quantitative retail assessment of current conditions and trends before conducting a six-day “immersion visit” and roundtable discussions with community members. Strategies were identified to help guide the area’s retail evolution.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Downtown Market Profile (2016): P.U.M.A. was retained to update the market assessment we created in 2012 and to integrate opportunities informed by P.U.M.A.’s Global Trends Report into it and BID economic development programming. The updated market profile utilized a user-friendly format and incorporated readily available data sources to allow for frequent updates. It included both snapshot and trend data for resident demographics and major economic segments.

Prowers County, Colorado

Economic Prosperity (2016): P.U.M.A. spearheaded an economic development strategic plan, which created a new approach to countywide economic development and identified specific opportunities in the economic segments of processing, manufacturing and distribution; agriculture; retail and restaurants; services and tourism; and recreation. Extensive outreach and an online survey complemented one-on-one and focus group research, attracting more than 350 resident responses.

Colorado Scenic Byways

Economic Development Planning for Colorado Scenic Byways (2016): P.U.M.A. was contracted by the Gold Belt Byway Association to develop tailored solutions for three byways. Specific goals included strengthening traditional economies, creating greater tourism revenue, generating additional income for landowners offering services on their properties, preserving the rural and agricultural identity of the areas, enhancing local food security and building bridges among varying stakeholders.

San Luis Valley, Colorado

Management Plan and Environmental Assessment (2012): P.U.M.A. was a member of the team that created a management plan and environmental assessment for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA). P.U.M.A. engaged stakeholders through extensive outreach and consensus building, developed demographic profiles and analyzed county sales and property taxes revenues. Action items were identified and prioritized along with potential funding sources and organizational tactics for implementation.

Monte Vista, Colorado

Market Based Plan (2011): P.U.M.A. prepared a market-based plan for the commercial districts of this town of 4,500. The plan identified concepts and sites for new businesses and investment, as well as organizational and financing options for implementation, and sought to improve the business climate of the community. Recommendations included creation of a downtown development authority (DDA) for Monte Vista and a local marketing district for Rio Grande County.