RFP: Regional Talent Strategy Evaluation and Strategic Recommendations issued by Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce

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Proposal Due Date: June 10, 2025

Introduction

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce is seeking proposals from qualified firms toconduct a comprehensive needs assessment and investment review to inform the next phase of regional talent strategy. With support from multiple funders, including OneROC, Monroe County, the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and others, Greater Rochester Chamber-led Talent Strategy work includes programs that connect talent to opportunity and help employers compete in a rapidly changing labor market. It has been six years since the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) provided a foundational study to shape the region’s talent investment approach. Since then, workforce dynamics, employer needs, and economic conditions have shifted. With major opportunities on the horizon, from the federal Tech Hub designation to rising industry demands, we must be ready to meet the moment.

Current Talent Strategy Initiatives Include:

  • Regional Job Board – Connecting employers with local and out-of-market job seekers.

  • Relocation Support Tools – Assisting companies in attracting and retaining top talent.

  • Veterans Connect – Leveraging the strengths of the veteran workforce and supporting their transition into local careers.

  • CampusROC – An effort to connect local college students and recent graduates to career and community opportunities in order to retain young talent.

  • Greater ROC Global – A new initiative focused on supporting global talent and building pathways for international professionals to live and work in the region.

Background & Key Drivers

  • Employer expectations, talent availability, and workforce demands have evolved since the 2019 BCG study.

  • The Greater Rochester region is located in the middle of a corridor that was in 2024 designated a federal Tech Hub (NY SMART I-Corridor), increasing the urgency to develop highly skilled talent in sectors like semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, and optics/photonics.

  • New initiatives like ON-RAMP (a $200M workforce investment from New York State) and new federally funded Tech Hub talent positions housed at the Chamber require strong strategic alignment with existing programs.

  • Greater Rochester Chamber’s unmatched access to employers, policy influence, and role as a regional convener make it uniquely positioned to guide this work.

  • Strong partnerships with education, economic development, and workforce organizations create an opportunity to align efforts and amplify impact.

Scope of Work

The selected consultant will:

1. Assess the Effectiveness of Current Talent Investments

  • Analyze outcomes and impact of current Chamber-led initiatives.

  • Provide data-informed recommendations on whether these efforts should be scaled, restructured, or phased out.

2. Benchmark Against National Best Practices

  • Identify models from other high-performing regions in talent attraction, retention, and workforce development.

  • Explore how successful strategies from peer communities can be tailored to Greater Rochester’s unique context.

3. Identify High-Impact Investment Opportunities

  • Pinpoint strategic opportunities to drive talent success in emerging and critical sectors.

  • Recommend new or expanded initiatives aligned with employer needs, business growth, and regional economic development priorities.

4. Develop a Strategic Investment Roadmap

  • Create an actionable roadmap for Greater Rochester Chamber and its funding partners.

  • Outline short-, mid-, and long-term priorities for talent development.

  • Include guidance on capacity, staffing, scalability, and measurable outcomes to ensure implementation success.

Deliverables

  • A comprehensive final report summarizing findings, analysis, and recommendations.

  • A strategic investment roadmap aligned to business needs and workforce trends.

  • Summary of insights from stakeholder engagement, including input from employers, educators, economic developers, and workforce providers.

Proposal Requirements

  • Company Overview – Brief history, relevant qualifications, and experience.

  • Approach & Methodology – Your framework for assessing current investments, gathering stakeholder input, and making strategic recommendations.

  • Project Timeline – Proposed start date, major milestones, and estimated completion. We expect the engagement to last approximately 90 to 120 days.

  • Budget Proposal – Fee structure and anticipated expenses.

  • Relevant Case Studies – Examples of similar projects with economic development, chambers of commerce, workforce systems, or regional coalitions.

  • Key Personnel – Team bios and experience relevant to the scope of work.

Evaluation Criteria

  • Demonstrated expertise in workforce development, economic development, talent strategy, and employer engagement.

  • Strength of proposed approach and methodology.

  • Proven ability to provide actionable, tailored, and data-driven recommendations.

  • Experience benchmarking and implementing best practices from other regions.

  • Cost-effectiveness, clarity, and proposed timeline.

Submission Details

Deadline for Submission: June 10, 2025

Submission Format: Proposals must be submitted in PDF format via email to

sealy@oneroc.com.

Questions/Inquiries: Please direct to Shannon Ealy, Director of Programs and

Partnerships, OneROC – sealy@oneroc.com.