Local Government · Local Business · Stronger Communities

Strengthening the connection between local government and local business

OurTown Consulting is a national research and advisory firm dedicated to helping private sector companies work effectively with government — and helping government agencies better support the businesses in their communities.

12Years of Research
200+Communities Studied
50States Covered
About Us

Making the public marketplace work for everyone

Founded in 2014, OurTown Consulting was built on the belief that when local businesses and local governments work well together, entire communities benefit. More efficient procurement means better services for residents, stronger revenue for local firms, and a more vibrant local economy.

Yet for many private sector companies, the government marketplace remains opaque and difficult to navigate. Procurement processes vary widely. Opportunities are hard to find. The rules of engagement aren't always clear. And for local governments, the challenge runs in the other direction — attracting qualified vendors, streamlining purchasing, and ensuring that public dollars flow back into the local economy.

We work both sides of this equation. Our research helps businesses understand how to engage effectively with government buyers, and it helps government agencies identify practical ways to make their procurement ecosystems more accessible, efficient, and supportive of local economic development.

Independent & Nonpartisan

Our research serves no political agenda. We produce objective analysis designed to improve outcomes for both the public and private sectors.

Data-Driven

Every recommendation is grounded in primary-source data — public records, agency reports, survey research, and direct stakeholder engagement. We don't speculate; we analyze.

Community-Centered

Healthy local economies depend on productive relationships between government and business. Our work is oriented toward outcomes that benefit entire communities, not just individual clients.

Practical & Actionable

We produce research that leads to real decisions — whether that's a company entering a new market or a city redesigning its vendor outreach program.

Our Mission

We believe every community benefits when local government and local business have the tools, data, and shared understanding to work together effectively

OurTown serves as a bridge — providing the research, frameworks, and advisory support that help both sides of the public-private relationship function better.

What We Do

Research & Advisory Services

We serve both private sector companies looking to work with government and government agencies looking to strengthen their vendor ecosystems.

Government Market Research

Custom research for companies exploring opportunities in state, local, and education markets. We help you understand the landscape — what agencies buy, how procurement works, what the competitive environment looks like, and where the opportunities are in specific jurisdictions.

For Private Sector

Regulatory & Compliance Guidance

Navigating procurement regulations, registration requirements, certification programs, and compliance obligations across different jurisdictions. We help companies understand what's required before they invest in pursuing government business.

For Private Sector

Vendor Engagement Strategy

Helping government agencies design and improve vendor outreach programs, small business initiatives, and local preference policies. Our research identifies what's working in peer jurisdictions and where practical improvements will yield the greatest impact.

For Government

Local Economic Impact Studies

Data-driven analysis of how government purchasing patterns affect local economies — measuring local vendor participation, economic multiplier effects, and identifying opportunities to increase the share of public spending that stays in the community.

For Government

Public Records & Data Services

Professional research and data collection using public records, open data portals, and government disclosures. We manage the full lifecycle — from request drafting through data structuring — for clients who need reliable, organized government data.

For Both

Policy & Advocacy Research

Analysis of legislative, regulatory, and policy developments that affect how government agencies purchase goods and services — and how businesses access those opportunities. We help clients understand the policy landscape and engage constructively in advocacy.

For Both
Our Team

Leadership & Research Staff

A focused team with deep experience across public administration, economic development, policy research, and government-business relations.

Margaret Calloway

Margaret Calloway

Chief Executive Officer & Founder

Founded OurTown in 2014 after two decades in public sector consulting and economic development. Former policy advisor specializing in local government operations, small business programs, and intergovernmental relations.

David Thornton

David Thornton

Vice President of Development

Leads client engagement and strategic partnerships. Previously directed state and local government practice at a national advisory firm, with particular expertise in economic development programs and public-private collaboration.

Dr. Patricia Huang

Dr. Patricia Huang

Senior Vice President of Research

Oversees all research methodology and analytical output. Holds a PhD in Public Administration from Syracuse University. Published researcher in government efficiency, procurement reform, and local economic development.

Hazel Ames

Hazel Ames

Director of Research & Special Projects

Manages primary data collection programs and custom research engagements. Specialist in public records research, multi-jurisdiction data analysis, and translating complex government data into actionable intelligence for clients.

James Okafor

James Okafor

Research Analyst

Focuses on local economic impact analysis and government market research. Background in applied economics and public policy, with expertise in structuring and analyzing large government datasets.

Sarah Whitfield

Sarah Whitfield

Research Analyst

Specializes in regulatory landscape research and vendor ecosystem studies. Former program analyst with a mid-Atlantic county government, bringing firsthand understanding of local government operations and stakeholder dynamics.

Insights

Recent Research

Selected publications from our ongoing work at the intersection of local government and local business.

Economic Development

Buying Local: How Municipal Procurement Policies Shape Local Economies

An analysis of local preference policies across 30 U.S. cities — examining how different approaches to prioritizing local vendors in government purchasing affect small business growth, job creation, and the recirculation of public dollars within communities.

March 2026Research Report
Market Access

Breaking In: What Private Sector Companies Need to Know About Selling to Local Government

For many businesses, government represents a significant untapped market — but one with unfamiliar rules. This guide walks through the key differences between government and commercial sales: procurement cycles, registration requirements, compliance obligations, and relationship dynamics.

January 2026Practice Guide
Best Practices

Modernizing Vendor Outreach: Lessons from Five Innovative Cities

Case studies of municipal governments that have successfully redesigned their vendor engagement programs — using digital tools, community partnerships, and simplified processes to attract more diverse and qualified suppliers to their procurement ecosystems.

February 2026Case Studies
Get in Touch

Contact Us

We work with private sector companies exploring government markets and with government agencies seeking to strengthen their vendor communities. Reach out to discuss how our research can help.

info@ourtownconsulting.com

research@ourtownconsulting.com

1334 Timberlane Rd. Ste 211
Tallahassee, FL 32312

OurTown Consulting regularly conducts research involving public records requests and government data collection as part of our studies on local government operations and economic development. If you are a government records officer responding to a request from our team, please direct correspondence to research@ourtownconsulting.com or contact our main office. We appreciate your partnership in making government data accessible for public benefit research.