City hires consultant to review proposals from casino developers Courtesy of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe) With its RFP process for a resort casino already underway, the city’s economic development arm has formally enlisted a consultant to help review the proposals. The Richmond Economic Development Authority voted Thursday to hire New Orleans-based Convergence Strategy Group to help evaluate RFP responses from prospective casino developers, and assist in negotiations with those developers down the road. The city issued the casino RFP on Dec. 28, and gave the EDA the authority to hire a consultant. Economic Development Director Leonard Sledge said during Thursday’s meeting that the EDA is authorized to spend up to $120,000 on a consultant.