• Identify and mobilize supporters to attend and speak at hearings, place phone calls, and email key decision-makers.
• Produce materials and maps that show decision-makers the range and depth of support for your projects.

Consensus Planning Group manages pre-existing opposition.
Often the most contentious and difficult part of the planning process, Consensus Planning Group provides the information, tools and resources necessary to communicate with and manage opposition to your project. Our services in this area are:

• Solicit and gain support from adjacent residents and stakeholders.
• Offset and manage the effects of hard-core opponents.
• Facilitate constructive community meetings and dialogue.

Consensus Planning Group lays out the community and political dynamics that will affect your project.
Knowledge of the community and political dynamics of an area can make or break a development's approval. Our community assessments provide clients with a cost-effective analysis of the issues at a given site and an evaluation of what it will take to secure and get the approvals for the project. Included in the assessments are:

• Snapshots of decision makers and the people who influence them.
• History of recent development projects, their supporters, opponents and final outcome.
• Appraisal of local issues and how they might affect the project.
• Analysis of the potential support and opposition for the project in the community.

Based on these findings, Consensus Planning Group provides clients with a project strategy to acquire the necessary development permits with minimal delays.

With a community Assessment report, clients know in advance how much time, effort and money it will take to win approvals. Additionally, our early stakeholder contact lays the foundation for community support by reducing misinformation about the project, disseminating accurate information in a timely manner and creating a detailed plan for outreach.

Consensus Planning Group gets endorsements from opinion leaders and organizations.
In addition to individual community leaders, support from organizations and opinion leaders serves a valuable tool in a complete community outreach strategy. Utilizing our relationships and relationship-building expertise, Consensus Planning Group can, among other things:

• Brief and update elected officials and key decision makers.
• Solicit and manage support of elected officials and opinion leaders.

Consensus Planning Group shapes and manages media coverage of your projects.
A comprehensive community relations program will include communication with the news media. Because print and broadcast media are the most common sources for those seeking information, a strategic and thorough media relations campaign is critical to shaping opinions. We are expert in:

• Effectively managing and communicating with local media outlets.
• Working with news outlets to ensure coverage of key messages.
• Achieving news stories, supportive editorials and letters to the editor.
• Responding quickly to media inquiries.

Consensus Planning Group lays out political strategy.
When all is said and done, the most important part of any project is approval. With our extensive experience working with, and interacting with, elected officials, Consensus Planning Group can facilitate communication with community leaders, key organizations and elected officials. We do this by:

• Keeping a pulse on the political environment.
• Staying in touch with local elected officials and government staff.

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