HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2014-02-26
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 26, 2014 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Councillor Paul Singh with the following members present, Philip Jones, Cory
Ernst, Johanna Classon-Romero, Steve Sachs, Thusanth Dhavaloganathan,
Councillor Bil Ioannidis, Scott Davey, Mark Bingeman, Jeremy Auger, Mark
Derro, Rebecca Short, Darrin Snider, Ashely Reid
The following people were absent, Jamie Yantzi, Adrian Conrad
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Tracey Murray, Cory Bluhm, Silvia Di Donato,
Valerie Bradford, Kim Feere, Janette MacDonald, Dorothy McCabe,
2.1 Inbound GO Update:
Dorothy McCabe provided an update on the Inbound GO initiative and a
background on involvement. Advising that we are still carrying out a series of
meetings with the Province to ensure that it stays on their radar and to try and
get the project approved. There are some licensing and property transactions
that will need support logistically to ensure that the project is streamlined. She
provided an overview of the people involved and other Toronto agencies and
companies to help plug the message. They are also working with The Region of
Peel and Brampton to get support.
She also advised that they are seeking letters of support and will send the
committee members the template for the letter, and the letter is welcome to be
forwarded to others for support.
2.2 Survey Results
Janette MacDonald walked the committee members through the results of the
EDAC meeting Survey.
- breakout sessions were favored when specific tasks need more in-depth
conversation
- not to have new topics every month to allow for in-depth conversations.
- having sub-committee groups stay in the same group can be benefit, but
also having the same groups together can be useful.
- full year agenda
Committee members felt that the survey is accurate and makes them feel
positive about moving forward.
Staff will take the results as direction for planning future meetings
2.3 Waterloo Regional Economic Development Strategy
Brian Bennett advised the committee on some of the background etc. on the
regional strategy, which can be found at www.wreds.ca
2.4 Break-out Sessions
The committee broke into their groups and provided the following update:
Innovation district - focus on the question of barriers to business in the district
Talent - what we need to do to be competitive - having a brand and each
municipality needs to have a specialty they can offer instead of competing with
each other.
Manufacturing - regulation and red tape obstacles, lack of shovel ready land in
Kitchener, no consistent regional branding, champions for new business folks,
supporting local businesses,
Startup - education strengths, our collaborative culture we have, awareness that
we already enjoy.