HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2017-11-22
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 22, 2017 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date with the following members present:
Mark Derro, Shirley Madill, Margaret Johnson, Sandra O’Hagan, Andrew Head, Jason Malfara, Johanna Classon-
Romero, Mark Bingeman, Barry Lowry, David Billedeau, Barclay Whittaker
Staff in attendance: Cory Bluhm, Brandon Sloan, Carrie Kozlowski, Michele McBride-Roach, Valerie Bradford, Chris
Farrell, Silvia DiDonato, Kim Feere, Linda Jutzi, Hilary Abel, Tracey Murray
Business Items
1. Community Energy Strategy
Brandon Sloan provided a quick overview of the strategy and the draft framework and advised that a lot of work
has been done in preparation for the report to council. Committee was provided a presentation on the findings
over the last 15 months of the study and stats on what the top categories are of interest to stakeholders. The
committee discussed available opportunities, incentives and how we can do a better job at assisting.
Refurbishing older homes, with incentives from the federal government. At the local level, there are
opportunities through better understandable billings, with new residential developments engaging with utilities
to see opportunities. The more bike lanes, transit, and pedestrian friendly communities we build, the better it is
all around.
Fuel cell vehicles – seem to be ignored in this plan and why – makes more sense to look at these more in-
depth in future strategies – at this stage there does not appear to be immediate opportunities.
2. Film, Music and Interactive Media Office
Report will be going to Council to create an office for film, music and interactive media. Cory outlined some of
the growth opportunities that we are missing within the region.
Discussion:
Stratford’s digital arts program, Cambridge has an active film office.
Would this be just Kitchener paying for this or should this be a regional project? Silvia advised that
Kitchener would take the lead for a couple of years and look to build into a regional project.
The City/Region is being reactive and needs to be proactive. Filmmakers often come here for the location,
but return to Toronto for sound finishing. Could we establish a facility to complete the sound finishing?
Film locations in Kitchener may not be the draw, but the tech abilities are.
What starts the ball rolling? Talent? Funding? Tech? Locations? Talent is here but unable to stay because
of the lack of opportunities.
Sponsorship opportunities may exist with places like Bell and Rogers for example.
Kitchener can be a champion with a regional focus. Also focus on what we have to do in this community
and the rest will come.
3. Downtown Business Attraction Strategy
Cory Bluhm provided an overview of how the retail industry is changing across the country and the
opportunities for growing new businesses in the core. He went over the challenges that retail is having, such as
online retail, fast fashion, consumer spending and brand control.
Safe, fun and experiential, there has to be something different than online, food specialty stores for
example.
“Mom and Pop” fashion industry is largely finished, we can attract the larger fashion folks and the retail that
needs to be seen or experienced.
Many different planning policies, Belmont and Williamsburg areas are taking a lot from the core – parking,
access, variety, restaurants etc. The growth with the downtown population will help.
The demographic in the core will be younger mostly because of the nature of the developments being built
downtown.
The downtown spaces are too large and it creates challenges for animation -clustering sections may be
the success model. The challenge of the tech sector in the downtown creates problems, as many keep
their employees inside by offering meals.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 22, 2017 City of Kitchener
Belmont Village struggled as well, so what they did was focus on social media etc. There may be some
opportunities for learning from what they did. Daytime and nighttime mix is important.
Review zoning policies that could change to allow for more opportunities.
Cory asked the committee to think about what our competitive advantage could be, either existing or
creating a new value proposition.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Tracey Murray
Committee Administrator