HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2017-02-22
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 22, 2017 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date with the following members present: Councillors Bil
Ioannidis, Paul Singh and Scott Davey, Jeremy Auger, Mark Derro
Barclay Whittaker, Margaret Johnson, Andrew Head and Johanna Classon-Romero
Staff in attendance: Dan Murray, Brian Bennett, Janette MacDonald, Cory Bluhm, and Tracey Murray
Business Items
1. Civic Innovation Lab / SWIFT Fibre Network
Dan Murray provided an overview and background of the Civic Innovation Lab. He advised that the lab is the
outcome of the digital Kitchener strategy through interaction with citizens, students, tech leaders and staff to
formulate a strategy not just within the walls of City hall but city wide. He advised on how the lab will operate,
noting the partnership and connection with Communitech. Projects will be prioritized based on benefit, urgency
and readiness within the corporation.
The focus of the lab will be around the internet of things, cities are identified as the second largest benefactor of
IoT and it was noted that the lab will look at projects that can be tested to determine applicability within our
municipality. Having staff located at Communitech will allow for innovation and collaboration with other lab space
users.
The following questions / answers were recorded:
a) How will open data and the lab be able to tie their work together?
The Open data analytics and datas sets are essential to work on IoT projects
b) What if any partnership opportunities have been identified?
There are possible partnerships depending on the projects that are chosen, including potential for a
revenue stream. Each project will be assessed accordingly
The committee was very supportive of the Civic Innovation Lab and the forward thinking of staff and council.
An update was also provided on SWIFT (Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology Project). It was noted that
there has been funding provided by the federal and provincial governments and will require the support of various
municipalities and internet service providers. The initiative is before the Regional council, with a report going to
regional council in April.
2. Approval of January minutes
On motion, the minutes were approved as circulated.
3.Break Out Session
The Committee members divided into two working groups to brainstorm ways of supporting ION.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Tracey Murray
Committee Administrator