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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
  • Business retention and expansion strategy

  • Comprehensive and neighborhood planning

  • Community benefit planning

  • Economic development strategic planning

  • Economic disparity analysis

  • Economic impact analysis

  • Economic mobility strategy

  • Equitable community planning

  • Feasibility assessment

  • Housing analysis and planning

  • Industry & market trend forecasting

  • Innovation & entrepreneurship planning

  • Resiliency and recovery planning

  • Scenario planning

  • Stakeholder facilitation and engagement 

  • Strategic planning, program design and evaluation

  • Workforce analysis and planning

  • 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. 

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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

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Community Health

Driving equitable solutions to improve access to healthcare and well-being

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Cultural Economy

Enhancing arts, heritage, and creative industries as economic drivers

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Economic Development

Building comprehensive strategies for local and regional prosperity

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Emerging Industries

Identifying and supporting the growth of high-potential sectors

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Environment & Climate

Assessing impact and defining actionable strategies for restoration and protection

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Equity & Inclusion

Advancing strategies that ensure fair access to resources and opportunities

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Housing

Addressing challenges in affordability, availability, and preservation to create stronger communities

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Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Supporting startups and innovation ecosystems to drive growth

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Organizational Strategic Planning

Helping organizations set goals and navigate change effectively

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Outdoor Economy

Developing nature-based tourism and recreation opportunities

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Quality of Life & Place

Enhancing livability and fostering community pride

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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

Example Projects

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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.

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Pittsburgh PA by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

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.

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