HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-182 - Agreement with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Self Employment Ontario Works ProgramREPORT TO:Community and InfrastructureServices Committee
DATE OF MEETING:August 12, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Chris Farrell, Manager, Small Business Centre, 519 741 2200 ext. 7294
PREPARED BY:Chris Farrell, Manager, Small Business Centre, 519 741 2200 ext. 7294
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:July 19, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-182
SUBJECT:City of Kitchener, Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, Agreement
with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo Self Employment Ontario
Works program.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the General Manager, Development Services Department be authorized to execute a twoyear
funding agreement between the City of Kitchenerand the Regional Municipality of Waterlooto
collaborate on delivery of the Self Employment Ontario Works program;said agreement to be to
the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
That the General Manager, Development ServicesDepartment be authorized to execute on behalf
of the City of Kitchener any agreements or documentation pertaining to services and programs
provided by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre provided said agreements or
documentation is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, and further
That the Manager, Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, and the Executive Director, Economic
Development, be delegated authority to execute participant agreements to the satisfaction of the
City Solicitor for the Self Employment Ontario Works program.
BACKGROUND:
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) is asection withinthe City of Kitchener Economic
Development Division established in 1999 and is funded in-part by the Provincefor operations and
programs along with 54 Small Business Enterprise Centres in Ontario. WRSBC provides information,
training, mentoring, guidance and consultation on a variety of issues to entrepreneurs from all industry
sectors, all educational backgroundsand at all stages of business from start-up to expansion.
The Regional Municipality of Waterloo Community Services requires a service partner to deliver Self
Employment Ontario Works Placement program. Individuals receiving Ontario Works benefits have the
opportunity to transition from the Ontario Works BenefitSupport to establishing a profitable business.
The SelfEmployment Ontario Works program can help individuals to develop the knowledge and skills
needed to start and run their own business. The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre is well
positioned to deliver thisprogram.
This is a two-year agreementfromApril 1, 2019 to March 31, 2021.
***This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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REPORT:
The Regional Municipality of Waterlooand Waterloo Region Small Business team work together with
individuals who express an interest in starting a business to be considered for the program.
A Region of Waterloo Ontario Works Coordinator:
approves/declines candidates for entrepreneurial training;
approves/declines the written business plan;
establishes business milestones to be met meet quarterly; and,
monitors the progress of each participant for up to 60 weeks.
The Small Business Centre will provide Self EmploymentOntario Works participants with:
entrepreneurial training;
one-on-one assistance to develop a business plan;
mentoring;and,
monthly goal setting meetings and guidance.
It is projected that upto 40 individuals willparticipate in the Self Employment Ontario Works program
annually. The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre receives fee for services for up to $1,700.00per
participant based on achieved milestones.
The activities and services are expected to result in the development of new skills andthe establishment
of new businesses and job creation for individuals facing barriers to employment.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Strategic Priority: Strong & Resilient Economy
Strategy: #2.2 Support the attraction, retention and development of existing and
new industries within the regional economy working in collaboration with the
economic development corporation for Waterloo Region.
Strategic Action: # 26Make It Start
# 27 Make It Grow
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None. The Regional funding supports resources required to the delivery of the Self Employment Ontario
Works program.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Entrepreneurship and innovation contribute to economic growth in the community. The Centre provides
programs and services that support and complement other community entrepreneurial initiatives
essential to the commercialization of small business within the Waterloo Region ecosystem.
CONSULT: The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre facilitated four Community Engagement
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Baden/New Hamburg, in 2015. Over 160 small businesses from all industry sector engaged discussion
around five questions. Over 2,000 ideas and opinions collected and analyzed resulting in WRSBC
identifying seven key areas of support for small business: Marketing, Mentoring, Education, Advocacy,
Small Business Hub, Collaboration and Funding. These themes inform the ongoing work, programs and
collaborative partnerships of the Small Business Centre.
WRSBC conducts over 20 surveys annually with small business to get feedback and suggestions for
service and program improvements.
COLLABORATE Waterloo Region Small Business Centre communicates, consults and collaborates
with a broad range of community groups, organizations, agencies, secondary and post-secondary
institutes, municipal, regional and provincial governments to ensure the entrepreneurial services and
programs address the needs of small business in the community. The volunteers for the Waterloo Region
Small Business Centre and the Board of Advisors are representative of these community groups.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager DSD
APPENDIX:Waterloo Region Small Business Centre 2019 Financial
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WATERLOO REGION SMALL BUSINESS CENTRE WRSBC WRSBC WRSBC Municipal
BUDGETProjected Projected Projected In-Kind
201920202021Contributions
OPERATING2019
REVENUES
ONTARIO - MEDJCT587,399456,552456,552
CITY OF CAMBRIDGE (2016 pop 129,920)13,58613,79013,997170,714
CITY OF KITCHENER (2016 pop 233,222)114,024115,734117,470206,000
CITY OF WATERLOO (2016 pop 104,986)10,97811,14311,31097,638
REGION OF WATERLOO 50,00050,00050,000
OW-SEB REGION OF WATERLOO16,00016,00016,000
SPONSORSHIPS20,00020,00020,000
MEMBERSHIP FEES2,0002,5003,000
REGISTRATION FEES20,00018,00018,000
ROOM RENTALS300300300
Other15,000
Total Revenue #849,287704,019706,629474,352
OPERATING
EXPENSES
SALARIES AND WAGES 516,266423,529427,764
Administration47,70644,58044,580
Grants191,000191,000191,000
Professional Services56,0009,5957,970
Events and Publicity36,86533,86533,865
Insurance1,4501,4501,450
TOTAL EXPENSES849,287704,019706,629
SURPLUS /(DEFICIT)000
TOTAL EXPENSES849,287704,019706,629474,352
SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)000 0
EXCESS (DEFICIT) OF REVENUE OVER EXPENDITURES
OPENING SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)83,08783,08783,087 0
ENDING SURPLUS/(DEFICIT)83,08783,08783,0870
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Note: The 2018 loss was a planned deficit to fund the Digital Main Street Project.
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