HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2017-04-26
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 26, 2017 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date with the following members present:
Scott Davey (from 11:30am), Bil Ioannidis, Mark Bingeman, Johanna Classon-Romero, Mark Derro, Andrew Head,
Margaret Johnson, Barry Lowry, Jason Malfara, Sandra O’Hagan, Mark Paleczny, Barclay Whittaker and Anthony
Zammitt
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Valerie Bradford, Silvia Di Donato, Janette MacDonald and Thom Ryan
Delegation: Carol Simpson, Executive Director, Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin
The meeting was chaired by Bil Ioannidis, in Jeremy Auger’s absence
Business Items
1. Workforce Planning Board: Carol Simpson
An overview was provided of the results of ‘2017 Employer One’ annual survey:
571 businesses shared workforce information, with 400 businesses completing the survey in full
Critical findings:
o 62% of businesses experienced separations in 2016 (mainly due to ‘quits’)
o 88% of businesses hired workers in 2016
o 56% had positions that were difficult to fill (mainly because of lack of applicants)
o 81% of businesses use word of mouth, personal contacts and referrals to recruit
o 54% of employers rated the availability of qualified workers as fair or poor
o 76% of respondents plan to hire in 2017
Local Employment Planning Councils are being rolled out as a pilot, led by local Planning Boards. Objectives:
community partnerships; service coordination; integrated local planning; research and innovation;
identification of best practices; analysis and interpretation of labour market information.
EDAC’s comments and observations:
If positions can’t be filled, businesses will relocate. How can the labour force be used more efficiently to meet
the needs of businesses?
Employers could connect with universities and colleges to help find the labour they require.
Is there a disconnect between the recruitment of highly skilled workers, when available positions are for
unskilled labourers?
Some businesses are so short-staffed they cannot address their vacancies by advertising job postings.
Conestoga College is responsive in their program development to gaps in the labour force. In future, it’s
predicted that training will be modular, specific and of a short duration. Businesses will become more open to
on-the-job training.
While low-paying jobs don’t stimulate the economy or facilitate entry into the housing market, low-wage entry-
level jobs are often the first step to better positions.
While work may be available in the region, the remuneration may not be sufficient to meet the cost of living
here.
Transportation costs also impact the attractiveness of low-paying positions; Light Rail Transit could help.
Lots of people who live here don’t necessarily work in our community.
ACTION: Staff to circulate Carol Simpson’s contact information to the committee.
2. Approval of March minutes
On motion, the minutes were approved as circulated.
3. Shape DTK 2020: Cory Bluhm
An overview was provided of the draft vision for DTK 2020 and the 3 major priorities of the strategy that the city
and the Kitchener Downtown Business Improvement Area can act on.
A desire for more restaurants, shops and services downtown was identified. Suggested action: create a
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 26, 2017 City of Kitchener
platform for success (including access to technology, training and incentives) to encourage the next
generation of restaurants, shops and services. Find new ways to promote existing businesses using
technology and wayfinding apps.
A desire for ‘heartfelt urban experiences’ in a social environment was identified. Suggested action: ‘curate’ a
variety of diverse experiences and activities appealing to different audiences; organize resources and foster
an environment of support; develop a strategy to promote the experiences.
For people who live downtown, the unique sense of community is prized as the top priority. Suggested action:
find ways to champion a caring and creative community through educating businesses on how to foster
community, hosting community-building events, and exploring the introduction of urban amenities (dog parks,
and other infrastructure).
EDAC comments:
Is the need for more restaurants, shops and services legitimate, given the current climate in the retail sector?
Bricks and mortar locations are struggling to compete with online retailers.
Could wayfinding apps help draw attention to attractions along the way to a destination? For example, an app
that highlights restaurants in real time, along the route of travel to the theatre. This sort of tool could be useful
at the online point-of-sale of tickets to events, linking to information about parking and dining options in the
vicinity.
The committee discussed the possibilities and merits of the development of a recognized platform for this sort
of wayfinding/advertising tool (via Google or MappedIn, for example), and saw the value of a global approach,
or at least a region-wide tool, rather than Kitchener-specific.
Regarding the priority of the ‘unique downtown community’, the committee noted that affordable housing
continues to be an important need, especially as property values along the LRT route increase. Developers
could be encouraged to include affordable housing options in their mix of offerings.
Housing in general remains an important priority for the downtown. A critical mass of downtown residents is
necessary to attract additional businesses to the downtown.
ACTION: EDAC to read the strategy and provide additional comments at the next meeting.
4. ACAC Update: Danielle Deveau
Deferred.
5. Announcement: Waterloo Region Manufacturing Innovation Summit takes place on May 9, 9am-2pm at St.
George’s Hall in Waterloo.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:58 p.m.
Committee Administrator