Capital Rivers Connect was created to solve a problem we saw time and time again—cities investing in retail or business recruitment strategies that promised interest from retailers and businesses but delivered little more than a report. When deals failed to materialize, cities were left with unanswered questions: Why didn’t the retailer come? Was there a lack of viable sites? Were development costs too high? Did a previous bad experience deter a developer? These critical insights were missing, leaving cities frustrated and without a path forward.

We started Capital Rivers Connect because we’ve lived these challenges firsthand—as developers, retailer tenant reps, and brokers, we know how deals come together and, just as importantly, why they fall apart. We go beyond surface-level recruitment to uncover the real barriers, identify actionable opportunities, and bridge the gap between the private and public sectors to create meaningful change. Our approach is not about producing reports that sit on shelves—it’s about strategic partnership, open conversation, and finding solutions that drive results.

The reality is that economic development is complex and nuanced. Site availability, development feasibility, market dynamics, and even local policies all play a role in a project’s success. That’s why we work side by side with cities, conducting on-the-ground research to assess property inventory, understand developer constraints, and connect with the right stakeholders to turn interest into action.