HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2016-04-27
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 27th, 2016 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date, chaired by Jeremy Auger with the following members
present: Mark Hopkins, Johanna Classon-Romero, Scott Davey, Philip Jones, Bil Ioannidis, Glenn Koehler, Jeff
Hoekeman, Darrin Snider, Thusenth, and Shantal Myers.
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Silvia Di Donato, Kim Feere, Mistie Brown, Valerie Bradford, Eowyn
Spencer
Guest in attendance: Tony LaMantia, CEO Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
Business Items
1. Motion to accept the minutes of February 24th was carried.
Information Items/Unfinished Business
2. Tony LaMantia, CEO of the Waterloo Regional Economic Development Corporation gave a presentation on the plan
to establish the WREDC, and its strategic goals. Key highlights include:
Set a collaborative tone with the Board, funding partners and stakeholders
Validate strategic priorities to focus operating plan/budget
Bring on key direct reports, rampup operations, look for synergies
Develop communications plan, branding and collateral while building upon/looking for early wins and
momentum
Four strategic priorities:
i. Forge track record of clear FDI/scale up wins
ii. Build best-in-
iii. Create inventory of Investment/Shovel-Ready Sites
iv. Develop unifying narrative/integrated marketing plan one brand for Waterloo Region
Other highlights of the presentation included the innovation corridor, lead generation missions, land along the
LRT corridor and office and tech space, and expanding services of the Waterloo Regional Airport.
3.
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the City address on April 13. The event was a success in showcasing local makers and artists, and the new
economic development strategy publication was well received.
downtown team, the magazine showcases businesses within the downtown core.
4. Valerie Bradford presented an update on the Waterloo Region Manufacturing Innovation Network. The MIN is an
online network for the manufacturers of Waterloo region and their stakeholders. MINs mission is to connect key
s manufacturing sector in an effort to strengthen the local supply chain and
create a more responsive and globally competitive manufacturing community. The MINs new refreshed website has
driven awareness and usage is up, helping MIN to be even more accessible to its target audience. MINs annual
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summit will be held on May 10.
5. Project Updates: Brian Bennett gave an overview of recently approved Make it Kitchener initiatives including Velocity,
Communitech, and THEMUSEUM.
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On May 2, Council approved a grant for THEMUSEUM for $50,000 to expand their maker club. This particular
initiative aligns to the Make it Spark pillar in the strategy, with the intent of growing the workforce for the future.
Other updates included:
Kitchener Frame site: done remediation, 40 acres of industrial land ready for fall
IKEA: currently undergoing renovations and scheduled to open early June
Manufacturing projects: updates at next meeting
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1 p.m.
Eowyn Spencer
Committee Administrator