HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconDevAdv 2013-11-27
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 27, 2013 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Jeremy Auger, the following members were in attendance: Councillors Bil
Ioannidis, Councillor Scot Davey, Jeff Hoekman, Hani Naamani, Mark Derro,
Darren Snyder, Johanna, Rebecca Short, Than, Mark Hopkins, Glenn Koehler,
Jeremy Auger, Glenn Koehler, Adrian Conrad, Kevin Fergin, Ashley Reid, Mark
Bingeman
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Thom Ryan, Valerie Bradford, Brian Bennett,
Janette MacDonald, Cory Bluhm, Chris Farrell, Dorothy McCabe, Silvia Di
Donato, Sandy Curzon, Laura Johnston and Tracey Murray
Project Updates:
Rod Regier provided a verbal project update.
1. Landing Pad Discussion
Councillor Bil Ioannidis declared a conflict of interest since he owns property in
the area.
Thom Ryan provided a presentation on the startup landing pad grant program.
He outlined the proposed structure of the program, what the program is designed
to do, who the potential participants of the program might be.
Cory Bluhm provided an overview of the process to which the money would be
reimbursed, noting that if they building owner does the leasehold improvements
then they would only get reimbursed once they have filled the space with a
qualified tenant. He also noted that the program is not designed for the city to be
paying half costs, but designed as an encouragement to building owners /
tenants to commit to the downtown.
Mr. Regier described the benefit of having a startup community is key to a
successful pedestrian downtown. The growing concentration of startup activity
could become self-generating. As the concentration of startups grows, we
increasingly attract the attention of venture capital companies.
The following feedback was provided:
Increasing the collision rate of the startups will help bread more startups.
There is a need to define a startup
This is hopefully going to encourage both redevelopment of upper storey
buildings and the development of start ups
Is there an opportunity for these renovated spaces to be added to a list of
locations available to new startups could benefit from these spaces
Inventory of properties - is there going to be a list of recommended
properties?
Once the package is ready, it will be brought back to the committee for a formal
resolution.
2. Two way go Service
In response to the Innovation District group project and conversations with the
tech / financial community, the City has been leading a multi-community project
to develop a business case on the two way go service and lobby the province to
include 2-way, all day GO in the 10 year capital forecast.
A PowerPoint presentation outlining the challenge, rationale was presented as
well as a detailed explanation of the map comparisons with Silicon Valley and
Kitchener - Toronto corridor
3. Regional Economic Development Strategy Update
Rod Regier provided an brief update on the Regional Economic Development
Strategy process, noting that the Regional CAO’s have hired MGP to build a
regional strategy, which will include an extensive consultation process. The
committee will be keep advised of the process.
4. December meeting date
December 18th - 7:30 breakfast 8:00 meeting start - finish by 9:00
On motion the committee adjourned at 1:00 p.m.