HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-02-28 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 28, 2018 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date with the following members present:
Mark Bingeman, Andrew Head, , Johanna Classon-Romero, Anthony Zammit, Margaret Johnston,
Barry Lowry, Barclay Whittaker, Scott Davey, Bil Ioannidis, Paul Singh
Staff in attendance: Tracey Murray, Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Hilary Abel, Chris Farrell, Thom Ryan
Business Items
1.Film, Music and Interactive Media Office
Silvia Di Donato provided a presentation on the concept, purpose, why and how. Cory Bluhm advised that we would
like to have 2 staff for the office one on the ground one in the office. Content is now the focus in the industry not the
technology.
Questions / Comments
What is the return on investment other cities have seen
The ROI is that people are staying in the communities now, dollar for dollar return is something we
hope to measure over the 2 year pilot program, it is a little early to quantify now some of the larger
What would the KPIs be to make it permanent
That is something that we would still have to solidify, potentially through what is existing now and
measure that as much as we can. The big question is can we grow the industry and that is what the 2
year program would ideally answer.
Have you reached out into the industry to get feedback?
We have had a lot of interactions with companies that are located in London / Toronto and some small
scale companies locally.
Is Kitchener the right placement for this office or should it be held out of the Waterloo EDC office
We are always collaborating and consulting, we do not have funding yet but we do have in-kind from
other areas, the other municipalities love the idea but they have no funding. There is still discussions
that need to happen to get their support in the long term.
2. Façade Grant update
Hilary Abel advised that the report goes to committee and staff are looking for motion to support or not support.
Cory Bluhm advised that yes we are going to come back to the committee to discuss the other incentive
programs that could be formed/changed (startup landing pad and home)
On motion by Margaret Johnston that:
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Tracey Murray
Committee Administrator