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REPORT TO:Finance and Corporate Services Committee <br />DATE OF MEETING:June 10, 2019 <br />SUBMITTED BY:Cory Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development, <br />519-741-2200 ext. 7065 <br />PREPARED BY:Lauren Chlumsky,Economic Development Analyst, <br />519-741-2200 ext. 7072 <br />Leah Connor, Economic Researcher, 519-741-2200 ext. 7048 <br />WARD (S) INVOLVED:ALL <br />DATE OF REPORT:May 22, 2019 <br />REPORT NO.:DSD-19-098 <br />SUBJECT:Kitchener Economic Development Strategy Public Consultation <br />___________________________________________________________________________ <br />RECOMMENDATION: <br />That staff be directed to undertake a comprehensive community and stakeholder <br />EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: <br />The Make it Kitchener, is a <br />forward- <br />and provides direction on key initiatives the City intends to carry out, often in partnership with <br />stakeholders. Make it Kitcheneracts as a platform for our business community, development <br />community, community leaders and community stakeholders to rally around a shared purpose. <br />With the current strategy expiring at the end of 2019, i <br />Make it Kitchener2.0. <br />In order for Make it Kitchener2.0to truly become a platform for partnerships and a rallying point <br />ring <br />consultation process which invites feedback and ideas from a wide cross-section of interests. <br />The following report provides the overall structure of this proposed public consultation. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />In the early 2000s, Kitchener was faced with majoreconomic shifts including a decline in the <br />manufacturing sector resulting from a rising Canadian dollar, and a downtown core lacking <br />vibrancy, investmentand development activity. Our community needed a bold, ambitious and <br />inspirationalplan to kick-startthe revitalization of downtown Kitchener, while stimulating <br />employment growth in emerging sectors such asthe knowledge economy, health, technology, <br />etc. twoconcurrent and overlapping goals. The approach developed in 2003/2004, known as <br />***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** <br />Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance. <br />8 - 1 <br />