INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Thomas Point Associates, Inc. (TPA) has hands-on experience in all aspects of economic planning and development.  We provide strategic planning services to development authorities and other types of public and private organizations on industrial, recreational and commercial projects.  Our staff will function as your technical adviser and U.S. representative on complex projects that require active, top-level representation here. With a long history of successful operations in the US and the Caribbean, we recently extended our services to European clients. 

Targeting and Marketing

While we work primarily in the United States, our experience includes assignments in Europe, South America and the Caribbean.  We have contracted with various government entities and international lenders on a number of projects, including the creation of a major industrial park in Santa Cruz, Bolivia in connection with funding by the International Development Bank in Washington, D.C. 

We offer market strategy services to international development organizations:

• Assistance in target market determination (i.e., biotech, software development, other).

• Liaison services between foreign entities and U.S. businesses in targeted sectors.

• Screening and retention of U.S.-based marketing and public relations professionals for the targeted area.

• Arrangement of tours of U.S. locations.

• Arrangement and facilitation of site visits for the purpose of idea/method transfer.

• Referral services for foreign companies seeking U.S. partners and/or locations.

TPA assisted the Borough of Enfield in the City of London, U.K. with the marketing of industrial properties to US-based companies.  The Borough found itself with an excess of abandoned properties such as the Enfield Rifle complex.  TPA staff evaluated the properties and worked with the Borough’s real estate department to develop a marketing program to attract US companies.

TPA has worked with the City of Virginia Beach, Virginia (population 450,000) in finding international partners.  The City is actively marketing its commercial properties in Europe and Asia, guided by TPA’s strategic targeting.

Our organization is small but effective. We can move quickly on marketing programs and focus rapidly on opportunities.  We provide top-level communications and offer flexibility so that we can respond to project requirements as they evolve in the course of the work. 

Industrial Development

TPA's experience in industrial development and location covers both existing facilities and raw land.  TPA staff has been nationally active in targeting tenants for industrial properties, including.  steel mills, auto manufacturing facilities, aircraft production plants, and shipyard/port terminals formerly used by well-recognized U.S. industries (Bethlehem Steel, Allied Chemical, Martin Marietta, Piper, Reynolds Metals, Fafnir Bearing Company).  Our work in industrial development has included the following:

• Industrial and Business Parks-Feasibility studies, preliminary designs, financial pro forma analyses, implementation strategies, developer solicita­tion and negotiation, development agreements.
• Target Industry Studies-Identification of types of industries and specific prospects for attraction to an area or property.
• Reuse Assessments of Industrial Properties-Both buildings and land.
• Research/High-Technology Park Studies‑For universities and other institu­tional users.
• Industrial Incubator Studies-Market and financial evaluations of facilities subsidized to support small business development.
• Area-wide Industrial/Economic Development Assessments and Strategies-Includes planning and policy guidance.

In Santa Cruz, Bolivia, TPA advised the government on developing an industrial park.  The focus of our work was on financing and attracting small businesses. 

Tourism and Recreation Development

Thomas Point Associates, Inc. is a leading firm in the analysis of economic development conditions and opportunities, particularly in rural areas.  An area of special expertise is the evaluation of the economic impacts of tourism and recreation-related activity.  TPA has brought together numerous projects and programs into coordinated strategies for tourism-based development.  Our work has addressed the development and implementation of strategies that have included the following types of activities:

• Redevelopment of historic urban areas:  analysis of development potentials associated with rehabilitation of housing and commercial properties in historic districts, as communities and as attractions in themselves.

• Arts and crafts centers:  evaluation of potential centers for working artists and artisans, including studios and retail outlets for the sale of locally produced items.

• Museums and historic displays:  development of new and renovated structures for museum use as a component of a tourism strategy.

• Destination resorts:  market research to determine use, orientation and financial feasibility of large-scale resorts.

• Convention centers and hotels:  determination of market support and financing for large hotels and other types of accommodations.

• Water theme parks:  analysis of market support and design factors associated with water parks in the Washington, D.C. area.

• Festive retail centers:  analysis of specialized shopping centers serving primarily tourist markets.

In San Juan, Puerto Rico, TPA staff evaluated the international cruise market and necessary infrastructure to support intensive development in this sector.  The work addressed port and road-related improvements needed to support large-scale development.  We worked closely with the municipal government to identify financing requirements and sources, infrastructure and training needs.

Bethesda Place Mixed-Use Development, Bethesda, Maryland

TPA brings creative financial approaches, including joint public-private development, to complex projects like Bethesda place in suburban Washington, D.C.  Our staff had a long-term involvement from project conceptualization to implementation on this $60 million retail/residential/office complex. 

TPA’s work approach offers unique advantages to our clients:

• Senior-level commitment to every assignment...

• Professional teaming that offers an interactive, client-responsive work approach...

• Intensive use of electronic communications to share databases and extend product uses...

• Commitment to provide staff support to implement projects and programs.