HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-17-013 - Waterloo Region Small Business Centre - Agreement with the Province of Ontario for Core Funding Agreement
REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services
DATE OF MEETING: March 6, 2017
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: February 17, 2017
REPORT NO.: CAO-17-013
SUBJECT:City of Kitchener, Waterloo Region Small Business Centre, Agreement
with the Province of Ontario re: SBC Core Funding
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RECOMMENDATION: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign a two year
amended agreement with the Province of Ontario for the Small Business Centre Core
Funding to deliver the core small business services providing information, guidance,
workshops and events for small business. The Province of Ontario’s contribution is
$347,105. Said agreement to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
The Waterloo Region Small Business Centre (WRSBC) under the Economic Development
Division of the City of Kitchener was established in 1999 is one of 57 Province of Ontario’s
Small Business Enterprise Centres, funded by the Province. The Centre provides information,
workshops, events, guidance and consultation on a variety of issues to entrepreneurs in all
industry sectors and at all stages of business from startup to expansion. The businesses are
primarily traditional and main street ventures having fewer than 5 employees.
WRSBC Annual funding sources include:
The Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation
The Region of Waterloo
The Cities of Kitchener, Cambridge and Waterloo
Other sources of revenue include: Sponsorships, Projects/Programs and Event Fees
Special Projects
In 2016, the Centre responded to over 24,000 inquiries, 1,900 one-on-one consultations,
assists 560 new startups creating over 870 jobs, facilitates over 270 workshops and hosted up
to 40 events. The Centre also delivers entrepreneurial programs supporting newcomers and
youth providing training, mentoring and opportunities for individuals to become job creators
instead of job seekers.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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The City of Kitchener (Waterloo Region Small Business Centre) has received funding from the
Province of Ontario since 2000. Each year for the past 5 years the Province has maintained
an annual contribution of $173,550 for the core services.
REPORT:
The Amended Provincial Agreement provides $347,105 for operations over 2 years. These
funds support the core services of the Centre to provide important resources to entrepreneurs
and businesses in the local municipality and the surrounding region. The core activities and
services are expected to result in the establishment of new businesses, the expansion of
existing businesses and job retention by addressing issues relating to barriers to business
start-up, growth and job retention.
The Provincial funds support 2.5 full-time wages and benefits, direct costs to deliver at least 5
events per year and to participate in two annual provincial conferences. The FTE positions
include 1 Business Advisor, 1 Program Assistant, and .5 Business Information Clerk.
The Centre provides the Province of Ontario with monthly and annual reports and will submit a
Final Report and Audit Report by June 2019, to report the business activities and audit for the
2-yr period of the agreement.
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: # 26 Make It Start
# 27 Make It Grow
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Wilmer CAO
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