Fourth Economy helps communities and organizations create strategic, equitable, and resilient futures.
What We Do
We help organizations and communities foster innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth, partnering to create actionable strategies that enable public, private, and nonprofit clients to take meaningful steps toward lasting change.
Our Services
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Business retention and expansion strategy
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Comprehensive and neighborhood planning
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Community benefit planning
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Economic development strategic planning
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Economic disparity analysis
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Economic impact analysis
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Economic mobility strategy
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Equitable community planning
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Feasibility assessment
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Housing analysis and planning
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Industry & market trend forecasting
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Innovation & entrepreneurship planning
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Resiliency and recovery planning
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Scenario planning
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Stakeholder facilitation and engagement
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Strategic planning, program design and evaluation
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Workforce analysis and planning
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Vision and strategy development
Our flexible, people-centered approach combines research, analytics, strategic planning, and community engagement, giving you the data and tools needed to build economic prosperity that works for everyone.
Together, we tackle complex challenges with empathy and creativity, delivering solutions that make a measurable impact for our clients, the communities we work in, and the world we share.
Markets We Serve
We specialize in empowering communities and organizations across a diverse range of markets. Whether addressing complex challenges or fostering new opportunities, we bring tailored, data-driven strategies to make a lasting impact.
Business Districts
Strengthening local economies through vibrant and sustainable business ecosystems
Community Health
Driving equitable solutions to improve access to healthcare and well-being
Cultural Economy
Enhancing arts, heritage, and creative industries as economic drivers
Economic Development
Building comprehensive strategies for local and regional prosperity
Emerging Industries
Identifying and supporting the growth of high-potential sectors
Environment & Climate
Assessing impact and defining actionable strategies for restoration and protection
Equity & Inclusion
Advancing strategies that ensure fair access to resources and opportunities
Housing
Addressing challenges in affordability, availability, and preservation to create stronger communities
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Supporting startups and innovation ecosystems to drive growth
Organizational Strategic Planning
Helping organizations set goals and navigate change effectively
Outdoor Economy
Developing nature-based tourism and recreation opportunities
Quality of Life & Place
Enhancing livability and fostering community pride
Clients We Work With
Our clients come from diverse sectors, but they all share one thing in common—a commitment to creating stronger, more resilient communities. We work with organizations large and small, bringing our expertise to help them achieve their goals.
Chambers of Commerce & Trade Associations
Partnering to advocate for and grow local businesses
Colleges & Universities
Providing strategic guidance to institutions of higher education
Community Organizations
Collaborating with grassroots groups to create meaningful change
Economic Development Organizations
Supporting initiatives that drive regional growth and opportunity
Local, State, and Regional Governments
Crafting actionable strategies and plans that shape vibrant communities
Nonprofits
Building capacity and strategy for impact-driven organizations
Philanthropy & Foundations
Evaluating and designing impactful programs to maximize investments
Private Companies & Developers
Helping businesses and developers navigate challenges, drive innovation, and foster sustainable growth
EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT
Equitable Community Planning Toolkit
The Fourth Economy Equitable Community Planning Toolkit is the result of ongoing research, and contains resources developed to help leaders progress through their equitable planning goals and actions. It includes information on how communities across the United States are rising to meet the equity imperative, as well as tools to apply promising practices and systems change processes in your community.
Get in Touch
Many of our most interesting projects stem from conversations with communities about where they are and where they want to be. Our specialty is in developing strategies that help communities achieve their goals. If you’d like to delve deeper, reach out! We'd love to connect with you.